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Latsch: Churches, Menhir, Castle and Trails along the Waal

Accommodation in Latsch

2 adults · no children · 1 room
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Churches, Art and a Menhir

The churches in the village offer several cultural highlights. St. Nicholas Church is a small Romanesque choir-tower church dating from the late 12th century. Remnants of frescoes on its southern façade depict the Crucifixion as well as St. Nicholas and St. Christopher.

The Latsch Menhir is also located in St. Nicholas Church in the village centre of Latsch. It was discovered in 1992 during restoration work in the Church of Our Lady on the BĂĽhel and dates from 3300 to 2200 BC. The two dates are far apart: the menhir dates from 3300 to 2200 BC, while St. Nicholas Church dates from the late 12th century.

File:Burg Latsch Latsch 20220907 0226.jpg File:Burg Latsch Latsch 20220907 0226.jpg Photo: Tilman2007 via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The Bichl Church is also one of the village’s ecclesiastical buildings. It is the oldest church in Latsch. If you would like to visit several churches as part of a cultural tour, a cultural village walk includes St. Nicholas Church, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the parish church of Saints Peter and Paul.

Art-Historical Highlights in Latsch

The Church of the Holy Spirit has a winged altarpiece created in 1524 by the Swabian master Jörg Lederer. It also features fresco cycles dating from the first decade of the 17th century, created by Adrian Mair. This gives your tour an insight into different periods and artistic forms without restricting you to a single building.

Latsch Castle dates from the 13th century. It was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Annenberg and is the only moated castle in the Vinschgau Valley. The castle is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. Plan it into your tour of the village as an exterior sight.

Waal Trail, Train Journey and Cycling Tour

The Latschander Waal runs along trail number 3 from Latsch to Kastelbell. To hike along the Latschander Waal, you can take the train from the direction of Mals or Merano to Latsch and start there on the Waal trail. The two routes differ in terms of planning: the Waal trail leads from Latsch to Kastelbell, while the cycling tour runs from Latsch towards the Martell Valley. The train journey from Mals or Merano takes you to Latsch.

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For longer tours, the cycling tour “In the Footsteps of the Giro d’Italia” offers another thematic option. It starts in Latsch, leads via Goldrain and Morter towards the Martell Valley, and continues via Burgaun and Gand to the Martell reservoir at an altitude of 1,843 metres. Along the way, the route passes the Maria in der Schmelz Chapel and the biathlon centre. Depending on your focus, you can consider Latsch a starting point for a cultural village tour, a Waal hike or a cycling tour through the Martell Valley.

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More Destinations for Planning Your Trip

Schlanders, Glurns, Morter, Burgeis, Prad am Stilfserjoch, St. Valentin auf der Haide, Schnals and Goldrain

To the overarching travel overview: Vinschgau Valley.