An interesting destination: the legendary ancient church and the idyllic hamlet above Merano
Image gallery: San Pietro di Tirolo
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The hamlet of San Pietro di Tirolo (St. Peter in Tirol) nestles on the western moat of Tyrol Castle. Its cluster of houses sits on the sunny slopes above Merano, between Torre Castle and the Rio Grabbach stream. Surrounded by apple orchards, vineyards, and forests, this place has been inhabited since ancient times. Formerly known as Kronsbichl, San Pietro is now a popular starting point for hikes in the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park and an attractive destination for culture lovers.
The heart of San Pietro is the Parish Church of St. Peter with its precious Romanesque and Gothic frescoes. Legend has it that it was built by dwarves who wanted to resist the giants of Tyrol Castle. But as soon as the walls were up, the giants destroyed the building. The dwarves then devised a plan, mobilised every available helper, and rebuilt the church in a single night. Finally, they crowned the roof with a sparkling cross, against which the giants were powerless.
And so, St. Peter endured. Today, the small church stands at the edge of the village towards Tyrol Castle. At the other end, westwards on the slopes of the Cima Muta peak, sits Torre Castle. First mentioned in 1276 AD as "Thurm Platzleid", it received the name Thurnstein two centuries later.
Today it houses a café and a hotel. San Pietro di Tirolo is also an ideal starting point for hikes: The Lagundo Waalweg path and the Cultural Trail in Tirolo run along the sunny slopes, leading you higher into the beautiful natural landscape of the Gruppo di Tessa Nature Park.
