Convent of Maria Steinach in Lagundo: Silence, Art and Memory
Amidst the vineyards and sunlit slopes of Lagundo lies a place steeped in history, art, and spirituality: the Convent of Maria Steinach. A true oasis of peace, where the soul finds stillness and time seems to pause among ancient walls and timeless frescoes.
Origins: A Woman, a Dream, a Monastery
The convent was founded in 1241 by Countess Adelaide, daughter of Count Albert of Tyrol—an enlightened woman who envisioned a spiritual centre for the Dominican order of nuns. Built in the Gothic style, the complex still preserves traces of its oldest history, such as the splendid Romanesque portal that welcomes visitors with the simplicity and grace typical of medieval art.
An Artistic Treasure: The 15th-Century Frescoes
Inside, amid silence filled with meaning, stand the 15th-century frescoes, considered among the most evocative examples of Gothic art in South Tyrol. They captivate through the delicacy of the figures, their rich symbolism, and deep spiritual intensity—a truly moving experience for those who seek emotion as well as beauty.
Secularisation and Rebirth: Between Closure and Rediscovery
In 1782, under the reforms of Emperor Joseph II, the convent was among the many religious institutions suppressed as “socially useless”. The process of secularisation deeply affected Tyrol, leading to the closure of 21 monasteries within just a few years.
The Convent of Maria Steinach was vacated by the nuns on 12 September of that same year. After passing into private hands, the building first became a hospice for the needy and later even served as a military depot in 1797. Its fate seemed sealed… until spirituality once again knocked at the door.
The Return of Monastic Life
In 1846, the convent experienced a new dawn when it was purchased by the Dominican Sisters of Lienz. Two years later, six nuns settled there, restoring the building’s original splendour and reviving spiritual life within its ancient walls.
Since then, the convent has once again become a point of reference for the local community—not only religiously, but also culturally and historically. Today it remains an oasis of contemplation and reflection, bearing powerful witness to the resilience of faith and memory.
Why Visit?
If you find yourself in South Tyrol and wish to step away for a moment from the rush of modern life, a visit to the Convent of Maria Steinach offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the deepest layers of Tyrolean history. Admire the frescoes, let yourself be inspired by the silence, and breathe in the peace of this place that has endured through the centuries.