The Church of St. James overlooks the valley basin with views of Bolzano and Laives
Image gallery: San Giacomo di Laives
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Where Bolzano's industrial area ends, San Giacomo di Laives begins. The two settlements merge seamlessly. While the surrounding area has a distinctly urban feel, San Giacomo has retained its village character and is surrounded by orchards. Here, convenient transport links meet rural tranquillity. The immediate surroundings of the village are characterised by vineyards and, above all, fruit orchards, stretching down to the meadows along the Adige River. This agricultural setting has given the village the names of St. Jakob in der Au and Unterau.
St. Jakob in der Au, literally St. James in the Floodplain, is also the name of the small church above the village. If you stroll up there, you'll enjoy views over the verdant Adige Valley to the south, and of San Giacomo and Bolzano to the north. The church combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements. Inside, you'll find a 15th-century Gothic winged altarpiece.
Other historical sites in this area of South Tyrol include the ruins of the medieval Tinzel Tower on the wooded Monte Regolo plateau above San Giacomo di Laives, and the Austrian Military Cemetery towards Bolzano. Bolzano is easily accessible by bike or bus.
A bike is not only a practical mode of transport but also invites you to explore the surrounding area. In the valley basin, cycle paths offer the perfect opportunity for this, leading you from Laives to Salorno in the south, or from Bolzano in all directions. Popular hiking destinations include the Madonna di Pietralba Pilgrimage Site and the challenging Laives High Route.
