Palù di San Lorenzo

In the area that gently rises towards south behind San Lorenzo are the two villages of San Martino and - a bit higher up - Palù. Here, amidst the meadows at the entrance to the Val Badia, far from the Val Pusteria Road, a small road branches off: It is flanked by the houses of Palù. Jakob Huter, who is considered the name giver of the Hutterites, was born at the Prosl Farm in the village. At another point, however, stands the chapel, the small baroque Our Lady Help of Christians Chapel.

It is one of the two historic buildings that were built centuries ago and tell a lot about the village. It was a vow that led to the construction of the church in 1721 AD, which was then decorated with an image of Our Lady Help of Christians, a crowning of Mary and images of St. Veronica with the Shroud of Sweat and St. Sebastian. Later, an image of Josef Freinademetz, South Tyrol's only saint, was added. Significantly older is San Michele Castle, one of the most important in the region, where the St. Michael castle judges administered justice. The year 1091 is often mentioned as the date of construction. Today, the impressive hilltop castle is partly dilapidated and privately owned.

A relaxing walk takes you from Palù (Moos) along the Way of the Cross to Santa Maria di Sares, an old place of pilgrimage and also part of the municipality. Then the journey through time continues to Castelbadia with its old monastery. It is only a 5-minute bus ride to the main town of San Lorenzo, which stops at the train station. The colourful trains of the Val Pusteria Railway then take you comfortably to Perca, where the lifts to the Plan de Corones Skiing Area and hiking paradise start next to the train station. Its ski slopes are known far beyond the borders, its mountain museums attract thousands of visitors every year... and the Dolomites are enthroned all around.