The small village is known for its hydroelectric power station and the enchanting St. Margaret Church with its two bells
Image gallery: Kniepass
Kniepass with its St. Margaret Church lies on a hill off the road, already on the way to the Lower Val Pusteria and towards the Valle Isarco valley. As small as the village itself is, the name Kniepass is probably familiar to many. Drivers know it for the winding part of the Val Pusteria state road, and the locals for the hydroelectric power station on the Rienza, which uses the gradient between the main village of San Lorenzo and Kniepass to generate electricity.
Between the scattered farmsteads stands the Gothic village church with its Lenten cloth-like fresco and the small altar. It is dedicated to St. Margaret of Antioch, known as Margaret the Virgin, one of the 14 Holy Helpers. A legend tells of "St. Margaret on Kniebos": The image of the saint was once unexplainably found in a deep cave and it quickly became clear that a church should be built here for St. Margaret. It was built by Heinrich Stadler from the Stadelhof farm in Campolino in 1400 AD. He and his wife were immortalised in knightly costume behind the door of the church.
Today, Kniepass is also known for its trails that lead through the natural landscape. From here you can comfortably reach the neighbouring municipality of Chienes, another path leads to Campolino and Castelbadia, two districts that also belong to San Lorenzo di Sebato. These are meadow walks that do not require much effort, and become quiet winter hiking trails in the cold season.
