Wayside Shrines and Votive Panels: Living Witnesses of a Profound Religiosity
There they stand, bearing the signs of the effects of time, wind, and weather, standing on the wayside. Often inconspicuous, lonely, or standing at notable, historical places. In the Sciliar region, we encounter them often enough, but in the hectic of day-to-day living, we frequently pay them hardly any notice. We are talking about votive panels, shrines and religious markers which have been such an inseparable part of our rural agricultural and religious tradition.
continue to read
continue to read
The Church Steeple of Castelrotto
With a height of 88 meters, the church steeple in Castelrotto is not only the highest in the vicinity, it's also – they say – the one with the most-beautiful-sounding bells. But the big tower bell has always been the greatest source of pride. They never fail to admiringly mention "Big Bell." The citizens of neighboring villages were so incensed by this that the young fellows in nearby Laion finally decided to teach the boastful natives of Castelrotto a lesson…
St. Katharina at Völser Aicha
Of the first church building at this site, mentioned in 1293, only the walls of the nave and the lower part of the spire remain. Around 1500 the star vault was built and the slanted triumph arch was added to the building. The fresco on the southern outer wall is particularly remarkable, depicting scenes from the legend of Saint Catherine.
Peterbühl Church
The first documented mention of St. Peter am Bichl ("St Peter by the Hill") dates back to 1371. However, the church foundations are believed to be considerably older, from the 12th or the 13th century. In 1498 and 1507 it was modified, which added considerable alterations to the side porches. Following a devastating fire the spire was given a new roof in 1862. The most salient characteristics of the church are the round arch at the front porch, capped by a polygonal lintel, and a pointed-arch window. The winged altar in the church was made around 1510.
