Laces and Its Churches: A Journey through Spirit and Art
In Laces, in the heart of the Val Venosta, faith and art have intertwined for centuries, leaving their mark in every corner of the town and its hamlets. Churches, chapels, frescoes, and sculptures tell the story of the deep devotion of South Tyrolean people, in a landscape where every sacred building becomes a bridge between heaven and earth, between history and spirituality.
Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul
One of Laces’ most important religious landmarks is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, dating back to the 12th century. This building embodies centuries of artistic evolution, harmoniously blending Romanesque, Gothic, and Neo-Gothic elements, making it one of the most significant parish churches in South Tyrol.
The main portal, finely decorated, was created by Oswald Furter in 1524, while inside one can admire splendid marble works such as the white marble tombstone and the statues of Saint Anne and Saint Joseph, sculpted by Gregor Schwenzengast, an artist originally from Laces.
Church of the Holy Spirit
A true gem of sacred art, the Church of the Holy Spirit was originally connected to the old local hospital, forming a single Gothic complex. Inside it houses one of South Tyrol’s finest triptychs, dated 1524 and signed by the renowned Swabian master Jörg Lederer.
The white marble portal is again the work of Oswald Furter, while the church walls are adorned with a series of 17th-century frescoes. Among them stand out depictions of the Last Judgment, the Pentecost, the miracle of the loaves and fishes, and various acts of charity. The Baroque altars and the organ date from 1741, completing an aesthetic and spiritual experience of rare beauty.
Chapel of Saint Stephen in Morter
In the hamlet of Morter, at Montani di Sopra, stands one of the most enchanting little churches in the entire region: the Chapel of Saint Stephen. It is a small treasure chest of 15th-century frescoes from several artistic schools – Lombard, Dutch, and Bavarian – offering visitors a true iconographic journey.
On the north wall unfolds the cycle of the life of Saint Stephen (12 scenes); on the east wall is the legend of Saint Ursula; to the south, a lively and detailed hunting scene with Saint Hubert; and on the west wall dominates an intense Last Judgment, one of the finest in the area.
Other Places of Worship in and around Laces
The entire area around Laces is dotted with small religious treasures well worth a visit:
- Santa Maria in Colle: dating back to 1020, it is a perfect blend of Romanesque and Baroque styles;
- San Vigilio (1080): a Romanesque church with three apses, simple yet evocative;
- San Carpoforo: an imperial gift from Frederick I Barbarossa, it preserves one of the most picturesque Romanesque bell towers in the valley.
Every structure, fresco, and stone tells of the deeply religious and artistic soul of the Val Venosta and its people.
An Itinerary of Faith, Art, and Landscape
Visiting Laces means immersing yourself in an ancient world of silence, incense fragrance, and colours faded by time but never by memory. Here, sacred art blends with the simplicity of the Alpine landscape and the living history of a community that, through the centuries, has lovingly preserved its churches and traditions.