If you look the other way from Merano towards Hafling, you will see the unmistakable silhouette of a small church in a hollow of the high plateau. The church is dedicated to St. Catherine, who is also the patron saint of carters. Since until the opening of the new provincial road in the 1980s one could only reach the valley via the old footpath (No. 2B) next to St. Kathrein, she was probably supposed to protect the people and their goods.
The Giants of the Tschögglberg
Once upon a time there were two giants who were friends. They lived on the Tschögglberg high plateau and wanted to help the inhabitants of St. Kathrein and Mölten build their churches. However, all they had was a hammer. They decided to take turns throwing it back and forth over the Tschögglberg high plateau. One day, however, the giant who was building the church in St. Kathrein forgot to throw the hammer back. The giant in Mölten was furious about this and in his anger threw a huge boulder towards St. Kathrein, which only just missed the little church. The boulder can still be found today in the meadow below the church.
A varied history with additions and alterations
This is how the legend tells of the origin of St. Kathrein. Historical sources date the origins of the small mountain church to the second quarter of the 13th century. It was built on an earlier allegedly pagan place of worship, where a chapel once stood, which fell victim to a fire around 1202. Many hundreds of years have passed since then, and much has changed inside and outside the Romanesque church. In the late 14th century, for example, the west façade was frescoed, while the bell tower in its present form bears witness to late Gothic origins. The winged altar in the Gothic apse dates from the 15th century. On the other hand, the beautiful side altar with St. Sebastian dates back to the 17th century, as do the statues of St. Florian and St. Rochus on either side of the triumphal arch. The porch, around which the church was extended in the late 19th century, protects the medieval frescoes depicting the martyrdom and beheading of the patron saint Catherine.
Widely popular place to stay
The setting is romantic for many, powerful for some and downright mystical for others: little wonder that romantics have discovered the little church as an ideal location for weddings and celebrations. Every year, countless couples from near and far say their vows in the fascinating setting of St. Kathrein.
"There are places that are formative. They give us strength and are familiar to us. For me, the little church of St. Kathrein is such a place. It has been my companion since childhood, because my home - the Sulfnerhof - is right next door. Now you might think that you lose sight of things you see every day over time - but not at all: I enjoy the sight of St. Kathrein anew every day. Some even claim that this is an ancient place of power. And truly, when I sit down in the evening in front of the church in silence and enjoy the unique view of the valley, everything suddenly falls into place. My pulse drops and peace enters my heart. I think each of us should have a place like this in our lives."
Peter Reiterer, President of the Tourist Association Hafling-Vöran-Meran 2000
"At half past six in the morning I unlock the church door - that is the first act of my day, so to speak. The little church of St. Kathrein is a very special place for me. I love to talk to the visitors, light a candle for my loved ones every day and enjoy the sunset in the evening. My son got married here and I celebrated our 50th anniversary with my husband 7 years ago."
Waltraud, unlocks the church every day
"As a little girl, I often went on summer holidays with my parents to Hafling. I have many fond memories of that time: the cool mountain air, picking huckleberries in the forest, the excursions into nature together - also to St. Kathrein. I always wanted to get married in a small church, and St. Kathrein, with this fantastic view, was the perfect place for me".
Kristina, said "I do" to her husband in the little church of St. Kathrein in Hafling.
Tip: Romanesque Day
Guided tours take place at weekly intervals. As part of the project "Alpine Road or Romanesque Art - Stairways to Heaven", which so far unites 25 Romanesque cultural sites between South Tyrol and Graubünden, St. Kathrein invites visitors to a guided tour every year in October.