Between Faith and Art: The Churches of Terento

Built before 1162—the year Bishop Hartmann of Bressanone consecrated its altar—the Church of San Giorgio is among the oldest religious buildings in the area. The first official mention of the parish dates back to 1362.

Between 1683 and 1684, a new nave was added, and between 1848 and 1850 the entire structure was expanded and renovated in Neo-Romanesque style, while preserving the choir and tower with their late Gothic pointed windows. Near the parish stands the evocative Heiligkreuz Kapelle, a Neo-Gothic chapel consecrated in 1520, worth visiting for its intimate and contemplative atmosphere.

Perched on a hill between two ravines, the Church of San Zeno was built between the 12th and 13th centuries in Romanesque style. The tower was incorporated into the structure in 1794–1795, while the vault dates from 1770. Inside, frescoes attributed to the Baroque painter Johann Mitterwurzer adorn the nave with vivid colours and symbolic meaning. The historic bell, cast in 1539, still rings today as a living echo of tradition. The most recent restoration, carried out between 1987 and 1988, restored the church’s original splendour.

Already mentioned in documents from 1309, the Church of Santa Margherita has a single nave and a distinctive feature: the altar is located inside the bell tower. On the exterior walls stands an image of Saint Christopher, protector against storms, while inside visitors can admire a beautiful late Gothic triptych from around 1500, depicting Saint Margaret, Saint Mary Magdalene, and Saint Catherine. The triumphal arch preserves a rare mural of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, invoked for healing and protection.

In Terento, as in many corners of South Tyrol, every church is more than just a building—it is a collective memory, a landmark, and a guardian of tradition. Visiting them means embarking on an intimate journey through sacred art, Alpine landscapes, and rural culture.