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Sights to see: Castles & Palaces, Churches & Chapels
Latsch:“Zum Hl. Petrus und Hl. Paulus” parish church – Hauptstraße
Dates from the 12th century and contains stylistic elements from Romanesque up to Neo-Gothic. The main portal in white marble was created by Oswald Furter in 1524. In the north aisle is a gravestone in red sandstone dating back to the year 1350. The white marble gravestone, the small wooden altar and the statues of St. Anna and St. Joseph are works of the master sculptor Gregor Schwenzengast from Latsch. The large vesper pictures in the altar room (18th Century) are works by Simon Ybertrachter from Naturns. Opening times: the church is open
Guided tours: Every Monday from 18.04. to 24.10.2011
Meeting point: 3:30 p.m. in the Latsch tourism office. (Easter and Whitsun on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.) Participation: 5,00 €/person
“Unsere Liebe Frau auf dem Bichl“ church (Bichl church) - Bühelgasse
Contains architectural elements from Romanesque to Baroque and was first consecrated in 1020. The “menhir” was found in 1992. This roughly 5000-year-old engraved marble stone originating from the transitional period between the Stone and the Bronze Age was discovered under the wooden altar table when this church was being restored. Interesting western portal with papal tiara. The side chapel with dome and lantern was built on around 1680.Opening time and guided tours during the cultural village walk, every Monday from 18.04. to 24.10.2011
Meeting place: 3:30 p.m. in the Latsch tourism office (Easter and Whitsun on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.) Participation: 5,00 €/person
“Zum Heiligen Geist“ Spitalkirche (Hospital church) - Hauptstraße
A Heinrich von Annenberg foundation, amalgamated into a unified Gothic building (1470-1520). The winged altarpiece by the Swabian master Jörg Lederer (1524) bears masterly paintings on the reverse, presumably by Hans-Leonhard Schäuffelin. The white marble Gothic portal is a work by Oswald Furter; the fresco cycles (Judgement Day, Works of Charity, The Whitsun Miracles, The Multiplication of Loaves etc.) from the 1st decade of the 17th century are by Adrian Mair, who was also born in Latsch. Baroque side altars and organ dating back to 1741.Opening times: from 18.04. to 12.11.2011, Monday to Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.; Sunday closed;
Guided tours: Mondays from 18.04. to 24.10.2011 at 3.30 p.m.
Meeting place: 3.30 p.m. in the Latsch tourism office (Easter and Whitsun on Saturdays at 10.00 a.m.). Participation: 5,00 €/person
Nikolaus church - Hauptstraße
Built in the Romanesque style in the 14th century, was formerly owned by the monastery of Latsch (today property of the municipality of Latsch). On the south side fresco remains (Crucifixion, St. Nicholas and St. Christopher)The church cannot be viewed.
“Zur Schmerzhaften Muttergottes an der Brücke“ chapel (- Hauptstraße
Baroque chapel at the east entrance road to the town. The simple building with dome and lantern was built in 1713. The chapel is open in summer.Monument Hans der Sager – junction of Hauptstraße/Bahnhofstraße
Hans der Sager is probably the only documented Vinschgau minnesinger or troubadour, who thought up the words and also the tunes for most of the songs he performed himself. (sagen (to say) - singen (to sing) - Sänger (Singer)). He resided many times at the court of the Counts von Annenberg, who appear to have been his promoters and patrons. Hans der Sager was mentioned in documents six times between 1326 and 1338. In castle Latsch (Laetsch) he once acted as witness to a purchase of a “farmstead with garden”. On this occasion Hans der Sager expressly described himself as a resident of Latsch. Hans der Sager also had a son known by the name of Ulrich von Hagenach. War memorial with marble eagle – junction of Hauptstraße/Seilbahnweg
Commemorates the Tyrolean struggle for political independence in the year 1809.Monument of Kaiser(Emperor) Franz-Josef - Hauptstraße
At the instigation of the Latsch branch of the Association of the Imperial and Royal Austro-Hungarian Monarchy, the memorial of Laas marble erected in 1908, which disappeared under mysterious circumstances in 1919, was replaced by a valuable bronze bust from Prague in 1994. The monument commemorates the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of the penultimate Austro-Hungarian Emperor, Franz-Josef I. von Habsburg-Lothringen.Latsch Castle - Bahnhofstraße
Is from the 13th century and was permanent residence of the lords of Annenberg (the only moated castle in Vinschgau Valley). In 1770, the castle completely burnt down; the tower wing was renewed in 1842.Cannot be viewed (private property)
Mühlrain residence (Red castle) - Hauptstraße
Was put into the present form in 1580 by Count Kleinhans and is decorated with frescoes on the interior and red chalk drawings on the outside. The baroque chapel St. Anna (Spanish influence) was built in the 17th century. Over its portal is enthroned the so-called Wessobrunn Madonna in the rosary by Gregor Schwenzengast. Kleinhans was captain of the army in Spain. Cannot be viewed (private property)
Goldrain:
Goldrain Castle - Schlossstraße
Dating back to the 11th century. The Renaissance part dates back to the century of the Counts Hendl. Today it is the headquarters of the Latsch municipality and a cultural center for the western part of the region.Tour of Goldrain Castle study center every Thursday from 21.04. to 27.10.2011
Meeting point: 4.00 p.m. in the castle courtyard. Cost of participation: Adults 5,00 €; Children (6-15 y.o.) 2,50 €. Make a booking by calling Goldrain Castle on 0473 742433.
Visit the Crystal Tower (free): open Thursdays from 21.04. to 27.10.2011 from 4.00 to 6.00 p.m. Why not also visit the center for well-being, beauty and relaxation in the Goldrain Castle’s Crystal Tower (crystals, minerals, healing stones, jewelry and oils from precious stones).
Annenberg Castle- Töniegg
Dating from the 13th century, with gothic chapel from the 15th century. Was the property of the Lords von Matsch (choir stall and altar are in the regional museum in Innsbruck). Later the castle became the property of the counts von Annenberg. No viewing (Private property) St. Lucius parish church – Tiss
Acquired its uniform, gothic style in 1491 (several gothic murals including Christopher on the southern side, marble tombstone of the province’s ruler, Franz Hendl, showing the deceased kneeling in full armor). Open Sundays from 9.00 to 10.30 a.m.St Anna in Schanzen chapel – Schanzenstraße
Built in the first half of the 15th century; contains a late Gothic winged altarpiece. The key can be obtained in the Obermoosburg located opposite. Morter:
“Zum Hl. Dionys” parish church - Nibelungenstraße
Built in Gothic style (consecrated 1479). Frescoes by the painter Adrian Mair from Latsch (17th century). The church is open.Vigilius church - Vigiliusstraße
Build in Romanesque style (3rd apse); votive inscription from the year 1080. The key can be obtained in the nearby farm by the family Haringer Leo, Morter, Platzergasse 30.“Sankt Stephan” castle chapel - Obermontani
Among the most remarkable churches of South Tyrol. Contains frescoes from the 15th century of the Lombardy, Dutch and Bavarian schools (including on the cycle in 12 pictures of the legend of St. Stephen on the north wall; the east wall shows the Ursula legend. On the south wall hunting scenes depicting St. Hubertus. On the west side impressive compositions of Judgement Day).Opening times: from 16.04. to 31.10.2011,
Tuesday and Saturday from 3.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.;
Guided tours: (advance announcement) +39 347 508 37 40 or angela.weber5@freenet.de
Obermontani Castle
Erected in 1228 by Albert II of Tyrol as defence against the Bishops of Chur. Place where the original handwritten copy of the “Nibelungenlied” was found (now in the public record office of Berlin-Dahlem).Untermontani Castle (Ruins)
In the 14th century the property of the Annenberg family. Still has interesting details such as the drawbridge structure, gatehouse and small keep.Tarsch
“Zum Hl .Michael“ parish church - Obermühlweg
Was mentioned the first time in 1214. Romanesque frescoes and significant figures as well as altar decoration from several stylistic periods make the church worth seeing. The church is only open during massSt. Karpophorus church - Karpophorusstraße
This church was donated to the German Order by Emperor Friedrich I. In the interior there is a picture of Karpophorus by Simon Ybertrachter (1743). The Romanesque tower belongs to the most beautiful monuments of Vinschgau Valley Romanesque. Opening times: from 14.04. to 15.09.2011 Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Admission: 2,00 € Guided tours: (advance announcement) Ernst Pohl, Tel. 0473 622 398 or 333-59 27 391St. Medardus church - Medardusstraße
(Leo Gunsch family, Telephone 0473 623 066)The little church of St. Medardus, also called “Sommadorn” by the natives, was built over a prehistoric spring shrine. This spring, which originally flowed underground from the altar through the nave, was damaged by tunnel work for the Zufritt reservoir, and in consequence the spring dried up. The apse covered with flagstones is remarkable, as are the Romanesque tower with rounded arch frieze and rounded arch window. Over the side portal are remains of a Romanesque crucifixion group from the 13th century.
“St. Martin im Kofel:”
Church of pilgrimage Zum Hl. Martin (1740 m)
The church was mentioned in 1510. Age-old place of pilgrimage for the peasants. The church is open from Easter to the end of October.“St. Sebastian in Platz” chapel - Platz-St. Martin
The chapel with façade bell wall dating from the 16th century was consecrated in 1603. The chapel is open.Menhir
The 5000-year-old cult stone, which was found 1992 in the church “Unsere Liebe Frau auf dem Bichl” can be viewed on the folowing opening times:Opening time and guided tours during the cultural village walk, every Monday from 18.04. to 24.10.2011
Meeting place: 3:30 p.m. in the Latsch tourism office (Easter and Whitsun on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.) Participation: 5,00 €/person
Hollowed-out stones
In the municipality of Latsch there are hollowed-out stones (cult stones from pre-Christian times) on the hiking path No. 8, towards Platz-St. Martin. Martell
National Park House „culturamartell“, – Trattla 246
Tel. 0473 745 027 - www.culturamartell.comAt the centre of the exhibition is the peasant culture and man-made landscape. The links existing for centuries between man and nature are fittingly presented on four storeys. Pictures, exhibits and narratives from witnesses of the period on tape vividly describe peasant life in the Martell valley.
Opening times: from 19. April to 30. April 2011, 24. March to 30. October 2011, Tuesday until Friday: 09.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. und 02.30 to 06.00 p.m. Saturday, Sunday und feast day: 02.30 – 06.00 p.m.
“Zur Hl. Walburga” parish church
Martell was only temporarily settled in pre-Roman times, to be precise from the pasture areas of the Vinschgau Valley. There is a legend that the first church activities began from the “Klösterle” (above Zufall at an altitude of 2489 m). After the establishment of the permanent settlements on the Murbruch-Flächen (=Martell) a chapel to St. Walburga is thought to have existed as early as 1203. The original church was Romanesque with choir tower and extending round apse. There (now in disrepair) Evangelist symbols and Saints were represented, from about the time of the church consecration around 1440. The year 1557 was written in Gothic letters on the painted-over picture of St. Christopher on the outside wall of the tower. Around 1650 the church was extended, in which the old chancel was separated, the former nave was turned into the choir and a new nave built. Around 1759 it was extended by a further arch. In the same year the imperial and royal court painter Adam Mölckh signed the Baroque painted ceiling in the main aisle, which depicts the passing of Walburga from worldly life, Johannes von Nepomuk, Ignatius and in the spandrels the Evangelists. The Neo-Romanesque altar was completed in 1887. The central picture shows the Patroness Walburga; the statues of Joseph and Anna, Peter and Paul, Martin and Nicholas, Francis and Antonius, Aloisius and Catharina complete the group. The church is open.“St. Maria in der Schmelz” chapel
(Church of pilgrimage “Unsere Liebe Frau im Wald”)A nearby mine was mentioned as early as 1448. The chapel was built in 1711 by Count Hendl for his pages, the tower in the year 1856. The first bells (silver bells!) are supposed to have been forged by the pages. In the famine year of 1816 they had to be sold. In 1839 the municipality donated two new bells. Until after the Second World War the population of Martell paraded on the patron’s day of Marial Visitation (on 2nd July), in a procession with the cross from the village to the Schmelz church. Today on the 1st Sunday in July the patron’s day is celebrated in a solemn service in “St. Maria in der Schmelz”. The church is open.
