Lengstein: Churches, Frescoes and Hiking Trails

Lengstein is a destination for travellers who wish to experience landscapes and sacred culture as part of the same holiday theme. The appropriate regional focus is Longostagno: its altitude, historic buildings and trails offer different ways to explore the surroundings – from Gothic frescoes to hiking.

Longostagno on the Ritten Plateau

Longostagno lies on the eastern edge of the sunny Ritten Plateau at an altitude of 970 metres. The Chestnut Trail runs from Bolzano to Bressanone and passes through Longostagno. Here, therefore, you encounter not just a single walking trail, but a section of a longer connection between two cities.

Sacred Sites and a Long History

The Sant'Andrea Chapel near Antlas in Longostagno is known for its Gothic frescoes from the first years of the 15th century. The frescoes include a depiction of Saint Christopher carrying Christ on his shoulders. The site of the chapel formerly housed places of worship or prehistoric settlements.

Traces of the oldest prehistoric settlements on the Ritten were found near the Church of Santa Verena at Pietrarossa in Longostagno. Santa Verena is also the only place of worship in Tyrol dedicated to Saint Verena. The first official documentary mention of the church dates back to the 13th century. The parish church of Longostagno is also dedicated to Saint Ottilia; its first documented mention dates back to 1177. The present appearance of the Church of Santa Ottilia dates back to its construction in the 14th century and an extension in 1876.

Visiting and Views

Specific time windows apply for visiting the two sacred sites. The Sant'Andrea Chapel can be visited free of charge every Saturday from 10 to 11 am between 1 April and 6 December 2026; reservations are required by 11:30 am on the previous day. The Church of Santa Verena near Pietrarossa can be visited free of charge every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 11 am during the same period; here too, reservations are required by 11:30 am on the previous day.

The Sant'Andrea Chapel stands above the Eisack Valley, almost directly above the Eisack Gorge. From above the northern side of the Eisack Valley, the Church of Santa Verena offers an exceptional view of the Schlern massif. This gives your visit two different landscape perspectives: proximity to the gorge on the one hand and views of the distinctive mountain massif on the other.

On Foot Through Longostagno

The circular Giro di Longostagno trail connects these sites and takes about three hours. The approximate duration helps you distinguish an independent visit to the historic buildings from a longer trail connection such as the Chestnut Trail. This allows you to divide your time between appreciating art, local history and physical activity according to your personal travel pace.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

For more destinations, you can also explore Deutschnofen, St. Christina in Val Gardena, Völs am Schlern, Mölten, Welschnofen, Lake Karersee, Selva di Val Gardena and Karneid for your trip.

For the overarching travel overview: Salten-Schlern.