Sights to see: Castles & Palaces, Churches & Chapels

“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 (free of charge): Every Monday from 29.03. to 25.10.2010;
Meeting point: 3:30 p.m. in the Latsch tourism office. (Easter and Whitsun on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.)

“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 (free of charge) during the cultural village walk, every Monday from 29.03. to 25.10.2010
Meeting place: 3:30 p.m. in the Latsch tourism office (Easter and Whitsun on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.)

“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 29.03. to 30.10.2010, Monday to Saturday from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.; Sunday closed;
Admission: 1,00 €
Guided tours (free of charge): Mondays from 29.03. to 25.10.2010 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.).

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 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 centerevery Thursday from 01.04. to 28.10.2010
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 01.04. to 28.10.2010 from 3.00 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.

“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 mass

St. 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 15.04. to 09.09.2010 Thursday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission: 2,00 €

St. 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.

Menhir

The 5000-year-old cult stone, which was found 1992 in the church “Unsere Liebe Frau auf dem Bichl” can be viewed every Monday from 29.03. to 25.10.2010, meeting point: 3:30 p.m. in the Latsch tourism office. (Easter and Whitsun on Saturdays at 10:00 a.m.).

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.