Monuments
Roman Milestone, the “Baumgartner Stöckl/capital“, the “spitzige Stöckl/capital", the Parish Church of St. Peter and St. Agnes in Niederolang, the Christophorus-Fresco, the Church of St. Wolfgang in Geiselsberg, Church of Assumption in Oberolang, Church of St. Ägidius in Mitterolang...
Roman Milestone (193 A.D.)
On 11th April1958 during the construction works for the embankment dam near the locality “Goste”, the brothers Reinhold and Richard Prugger made a sensational discovery. Their power shovel excavated a Roman Milestone in about 8 m depth. They immediately realized the importance of their discovery, otherwise the milestone would have disappeared again in the banks of the water reservoir for maybe another thousand years.
The well preserved granite monolith is 2.33 m high, its diameter is 39 – 42 cm. The inscriptions attest that emperor Septimus Severus (193-211) and his sons Caracalla and Geta had disposed that the decaying milestones should be readjusted. The proconsul of Noricum was put in charge with this task. The milestone of Olang was erected in 201 A.D. and like all the milestones in the Puster Valley, it indicated the miles from the Roman town Agunt (near Lienz), in our case 45 miles (67,5 km).
Now you can admire the milestone together with another monolith in Oberolang/Seefeld.
“Baumgartner Stöckl” – The “Baumgartner”capital (Tharer Stöckl) (18th century)
Small square construction with pyramidal roof, and groined vault inside (18th cent.)
The chapel has been converted into a memorial for the dead soldiers of both World Wars, and especially in commemoration of Peter Sigmayr, a local hero who had fought for South Tyrol´s independence. Siegfried Pörnbacher, a local artist, painted the fresco on the external wall (a scene of Peter Sigmayr´s execution). Sculptor Simon Urthaler from Mitterolang created the memorial tablet inside the chapel, and Jakob Pareiner from Luttach made the copperplate engraving with the “Song of the Tharerwirt”. Peter Sigmayr was the host of the Tharer inn. He fought the French in the Tyrolean-French War, and died for his country as a martyr.
“Spitzige Stöckl“ (1460)
The capital amid the fields south east of Mitterolang is called “Spitzige Stöckl” in common speech, because of its extremely pointed pyramidal roof. There is another peculiarity in its architecture. What usually serves as atrium here is used as main part, and is entirely decorated with paintings and frescos: The adoration of the Magi, Jesus Christ at the Mount of Olives, Jesus carrying his crucifix, the crucifixion in the centre, and on the left and right of it portraits of saints.
Have a look at: Walkabouts in the local area
Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Agnes (1709) in Niederolang
The impressive gothic spire, with grooved architrave block to collect the rain water, and the pointed arch window of the bell cabinet bears the inscription of the year 1464 and the name of its architect Jörg Maurer.
On Corpus Domini in 1709 pastor Klemens Waldsacker and its counsel became aware of the precarious conditions of the church and its oppressive narrowness especially on observances when the parish of Altrasen gathered in the parish church of Niederrasen. Therefore it was decided to build a new church had to be built as soon as possible. The works began the same year, and on 4th August 1712 the Bishop of Brixen, Ignaz Künigl, consecrated the new church. The crest placed behind the organ gives evidence.
At that time Niederolang was the seat of the rectorate, the population Olang, Rasen, Geiselsberg, Percha, Oberwielenbach, and St. Veit in Prags contributed in building the new church, all in all 23 localities and hamlets.
The reconstruction in baroque style is as a matter of fact an amplification of the old Roman and gothic church, of which the original walls in the west are still preserved (see the Holy Virgin fresco painted by maestro Hans von Bruneck on the west side near the entrance - 1402).
The ceiling paintings were created by Johann Mathias Peskoller. The fresco above the high altar is signed “Peskollersen. Aus Welsberg 1922“.
According to old recollections, the population of Olang immediately liked the strong colors of Peskoller´s frescoes and preferred them to the old ones painted by Christian Holzinger in 1856.
The painting above the high altar shows the fruits of the crucifixion and the holy mass, which benefit the alive and dead. On the right and the left there are the evangelists John and Mattheus.
In the center of the nave the martyrdom of Saint Agnes, the second patron saint of the church, is illustrated. Saint Agnes had been condemned to death by fire, but then she was decapitated. The lamb represents the innocence of the Roman saints and is also an allusion to her name (Latin: agnus = lamb). Saint Agnes´day is celebrated on 21st January.
A clerical calendar reports that the medieval church held an altar in honor of Saint Agnes in its very center. On the right stood Saint Augustinus, who in his sermons and scripts emphasized the power of love, and on the left was Saint Hieronymus, translator of the Holy Bible, erudite of fierce nature.
The third painting shows the martyrdom of Saint Peter, the patron saint of the parish church. He died crucified upside down on the foot of the Vatican hills. On his right Pope Gregorius Magnus, who commissioned his abilities of preacher, erudite and diplomat to the Church. On the left church father Ambrosius, who reports the martyrdom of Saint Agnes. The beehive next to him refers to his assiduous scholarship and his successful preaching.
High altar:
In 1712 Pastor Clemens Waldsacker, a man sensible to art and music, and curator Johann Baptist Leys commissioned the artist Michael Rasner from Brixen with the erection of the high altar, assisted by local sculptors, joiners and painters.
In 1839 the original altar was raised by three additional columns and the saints Joseph (left) and Paulus (right). Further remodeling required a consecration by Prelate Remigius Weissteiner on 20th April 1891.
Side altar on the right:
The altar and the two statues (Sebastian and Rochus, patrons of the Black Death) were created by Michael Rasner (1712/13). Since the Black Death of 1348, there have been several other outbreaks of the plague, the last was in 1636. The population sought help by invoking their patrons.
Side altar on the left:
The left side altar was crafted by the joiner of the monastery of Neustift and it is a gift from Prelate Augustin Pauerfeind of Neustift (1712/13). Therefore on the altar we can see St. Augustin, spiritual father of the fraternity, and his mother Monika. The frame of the altar was created by the painter Nikolaus Pedevilla from Bruneck. Michael Rasner created the statues, which show his great ability as a sculptor. The altar piece represents St. Joseph´s death. His mother Anna is portrait on the socket.
Christophorus Fresco (17th cent.)
On 19th August 1997, while restoring the façade of the Parish Church in Oberolang, the restorer Eduard Kaiser made a sensational discovery: Underneath a thick mortar layer he discovered a huge gothic Christophorus fresco, 8 x 3.25 m large. Because of the plague, in the 17th cent., the painting had been covered with mortar. Since then it has been buried in oblivion. Although the painting had suffered a great deal from the coverage with mortar, the restorer was able to reconstruct the precious fresco, which is a fine example of the late gothic artist Friedrich Pacher.
St. Christophorus is worshipped as the travelers´ patron. In ancient times people believed that the contemplation of the saint´s portrait protected the travelers from death during the day. This credence was of great relief especially for the many hikers on the rather dangerous and exposed alpine tracks.
The fresco had been affixed on the narrow west façade of the church, as there it was more visible to the travelers coming from Nieder- und Mitterolang, form Geiselsberg, and from Ried.
Church of Saint Wolfgang in Geiselsberg (1484)
Around 1050 the village was named "Gisilhartisperch", mount Giselhart.
For the Ladin speaking community in Enneberg, the village was the place beneath the pass Furkel "Sorafurcia".
Since many centuries, every year on the Saturday previous Trinity Sunday, the people of Geiselsberg and Olang went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Virgin of Enneberg, in vulgar speech "Ennebergis" (beyond the mountain). Geiselsberg was part of the parish of Olang, but in 1785 the community received its own minister.
According to the legend a farmer named Arndt was attacked by a bear (or wolves?) near Furkel pass and he promised to construct a church if he survived. The actual church was consecrated by Bishop Konrad Reichard from Brixen. Later the church got transformed, and in 1893 it was renovated in neo-Gothic fashion. The west side of the tower bears the date of 1502. In order to be able to finance the tower and the furnishing of the church, the population of Geiselsberg asked for and received a letter of indulgence. Already in 1489 the people of Geiselsberg were granted such a letter. In that year Simon von Taisten painted the marvelous Christophorus on the façade. It is assumed that Simon von Taisten created also the magnificent sculptor of the Piety behind the altar, as well as the statues of Saint Wolfgang and Saint Leonhard, and the Virgin Mary.
It was Chaplain Leopold Wallnöfer, later minister of Olang, who, in 1893 accomplished a restoration of the church in neo-Gothic style.
In 1984, in occasion of the 500th anniversary of the church, the façade got renovated, and a fresco, probably painted by Simon von Taisten (1484), was laid open. The fresco shows several saints, among them Saint Wolfgang, the Saints Alexius and Leonhard, and the Virgin Mary.
The statues on the main altar were created by the Brixen based artist Augustin Valentin (1893). Johann Mitterwurzer from Mühlbach painted Saint Leonhard (about 1770). Here, the saint is depicted as Benedictine abbot and patron of the cattle.
The new organ with 7 registers was built by Kaufmann Josef. Bishop Heinrich Forer consecrated it in 1994 on Saint Wolgang´s Day.
Church of Assumption in Oberolang (1446)
The late gothic church in Oberolang was consecrated by Bishop Albertin in 1472. Around 1650 the church was renovated changed into baroque style. The actual appearance of the church is neo-Gothic (about 1900). Especially at the inside the church underwent a consistent change. In 1899/1900 architect Roman Picher took care of the renovation. The stoned glass was made in a Tyrolean Glass factory in Innsbruck. The wood work was completed by Jakob Veider from Niederrasen.
The right side altar shows a portrait of Saint Antonius, the statues represent the saints Chrysanth and Daria. The left side altar bears a painting of the Holy Virgin with Child, flanked by two statues, Saint Joachim and Saint Anna.
The main altar is a masterpiece of the artists: Peintner, artist and joiner, sculptor Winkler and painter Sailer. It consists of a relief representing the Assumption, the tabernacle, and the four evangelists.
Church of Saint Agidius in Mitterolang (1404)
It is the church of Saint Ägidius, the Three Magi, the "Dormouses", and the "Fourteen Helpers in Need".
It is assumed that a first consecration took place in 1138. Another one followed in 1404. The actual church dates back from that period, but the church underwent a transformation into baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries. On 13th June 1723 a fire damaged the tower and the roof badly, and therefore a renovation was necessary. Johann Mitterwurzer from Mühlbach painted the ceiling frescoes (end of 18th cent.) with the legend of Saint Ägidius, one of the most popular saints of the middle ages. After a second fire in July 1904, where tower and church again were damaged seriously, the ceiling frescoes were partly painted over.
The magnificent high altar dates back to 1679. Several artists contributed to its construction: Veit Hirber, Oberolang; Georg Stieger, sculptor at Sonnenburg Castle, and Simon Gasser, painter from Dietenheim. The lateral statues of Blasius und Erasmus were created by Silly (around 1770). Saint Blasius, on the right, holding a candle, is still worshipped by the local people.
Erasmus was bishop of Antiochia (Asia Minor), he is the patron of the wood turners and helper for abdominal pains.
On the side altar there is a feretory of Saint Aurelius, which in 1848 had been moved from the catacombs in Rome to Olang. Saint Aurelius is mostly invoked for favourable weather conditions. The tableau of the "Dormouses" was probably painted by Josef Renzler. The "Dormouses" were young Christian men from Ephesus (Turkey), who in times of Christian persecution (about 250 A.D.) took refuge in a cavern, where they were immured. After a certain time they woke up again, and were worshipped as living testimonies of the Christian faith.
On the left of the tableau: crucifix (1st half of 19th cent.), Holy Virgin and Saint John.
Way of the Cross: 1746 the Episcopal consistory granted the permit to install a way of the Cross.
On the balustrade of the gallery: Birth and circumcision of Jesus Christ, Adoration of the Magi (early 18th cent.)
North façade: Saint Michael, artist: Siegfried Pörnbacher (1955).
On 11th April1958 during the construction works for the embankment dam near the locality “Goste”, the brothers Reinhold and Richard Prugger made a sensational discovery. Their power shovel excavated a Roman Milestone in about 8 m depth. They immediately realized the importance of their discovery, otherwise the milestone would have disappeared again in the banks of the water reservoir for maybe another thousand years.
The well preserved granite monolith is 2.33 m high, its diameter is 39 – 42 cm. The inscriptions attest that emperor Septimus Severus (193-211) and his sons Caracalla and Geta had disposed that the decaying milestones should be readjusted. The proconsul of Noricum was put in charge with this task. The milestone of Olang was erected in 201 A.D. and like all the milestones in the Puster Valley, it indicated the miles from the Roman town Agunt (near Lienz), in our case 45 miles (67,5 km).
Now you can admire the milestone together with another monolith in Oberolang/Seefeld.
“Baumgartner Stöckl” – The “Baumgartner”capital (Tharer Stöckl) (18th century)
Small square construction with pyramidal roof, and groined vault inside (18th cent.)
The chapel has been converted into a memorial for the dead soldiers of both World Wars, and especially in commemoration of Peter Sigmayr, a local hero who had fought for South Tyrol´s independence. Siegfried Pörnbacher, a local artist, painted the fresco on the external wall (a scene of Peter Sigmayr´s execution). Sculptor Simon Urthaler from Mitterolang created the memorial tablet inside the chapel, and Jakob Pareiner from Luttach made the copperplate engraving with the “Song of the Tharerwirt”. Peter Sigmayr was the host of the Tharer inn. He fought the French in the Tyrolean-French War, and died for his country as a martyr.
“Spitzige Stöckl“ (1460)
The capital amid the fields south east of Mitterolang is called “Spitzige Stöckl” in common speech, because of its extremely pointed pyramidal roof. There is another peculiarity in its architecture. What usually serves as atrium here is used as main part, and is entirely decorated with paintings and frescos: The adoration of the Magi, Jesus Christ at the Mount of Olives, Jesus carrying his crucifix, the crucifixion in the centre, and on the left and right of it portraits of saints.
Have a look at: Walkabouts in the local area
Parish Church of Saint Peter and Saint Agnes (1709) in Niederolang
The impressive gothic spire, with grooved architrave block to collect the rain water, and the pointed arch window of the bell cabinet bears the inscription of the year 1464 and the name of its architect Jörg Maurer.
On Corpus Domini in 1709 pastor Klemens Waldsacker and its counsel became aware of the precarious conditions of the church and its oppressive narrowness especially on observances when the parish of Altrasen gathered in the parish church of Niederrasen. Therefore it was decided to build a new church had to be built as soon as possible. The works began the same year, and on 4th August 1712 the Bishop of Brixen, Ignaz Künigl, consecrated the new church. The crest placed behind the organ gives evidence.
At that time Niederolang was the seat of the rectorate, the population Olang, Rasen, Geiselsberg, Percha, Oberwielenbach, and St. Veit in Prags contributed in building the new church, all in all 23 localities and hamlets.
The reconstruction in baroque style is as a matter of fact an amplification of the old Roman and gothic church, of which the original walls in the west are still preserved (see the Holy Virgin fresco painted by maestro Hans von Bruneck on the west side near the entrance - 1402).
The ceiling paintings were created by Johann Mathias Peskoller. The fresco above the high altar is signed “Peskollersen. Aus Welsberg 1922“.
According to old recollections, the population of Olang immediately liked the strong colors of Peskoller´s frescoes and preferred them to the old ones painted by Christian Holzinger in 1856.
The painting above the high altar shows the fruits of the crucifixion and the holy mass, which benefit the alive and dead. On the right and the left there are the evangelists John and Mattheus.
In the center of the nave the martyrdom of Saint Agnes, the second patron saint of the church, is illustrated. Saint Agnes had been condemned to death by fire, but then she was decapitated. The lamb represents the innocence of the Roman saints and is also an allusion to her name (Latin: agnus = lamb). Saint Agnes´day is celebrated on 21st January.
A clerical calendar reports that the medieval church held an altar in honor of Saint Agnes in its very center. On the right stood Saint Augustinus, who in his sermons and scripts emphasized the power of love, and on the left was Saint Hieronymus, translator of the Holy Bible, erudite of fierce nature.
The third painting shows the martyrdom of Saint Peter, the patron saint of the parish church. He died crucified upside down on the foot of the Vatican hills. On his right Pope Gregorius Magnus, who commissioned his abilities of preacher, erudite and diplomat to the Church. On the left church father Ambrosius, who reports the martyrdom of Saint Agnes. The beehive next to him refers to his assiduous scholarship and his successful preaching.
High altar:
In 1712 Pastor Clemens Waldsacker, a man sensible to art and music, and curator Johann Baptist Leys commissioned the artist Michael Rasner from Brixen with the erection of the high altar, assisted by local sculptors, joiners and painters.
In 1839 the original altar was raised by three additional columns and the saints Joseph (left) and Paulus (right). Further remodeling required a consecration by Prelate Remigius Weissteiner on 20th April 1891.
Side altar on the right:
The altar and the two statues (Sebastian and Rochus, patrons of the Black Death) were created by Michael Rasner (1712/13). Since the Black Death of 1348, there have been several other outbreaks of the plague, the last was in 1636. The population sought help by invoking their patrons.
Side altar on the left:
The left side altar was crafted by the joiner of the monastery of Neustift and it is a gift from Prelate Augustin Pauerfeind of Neustift (1712/13). Therefore on the altar we can see St. Augustin, spiritual father of the fraternity, and his mother Monika. The frame of the altar was created by the painter Nikolaus Pedevilla from Bruneck. Michael Rasner created the statues, which show his great ability as a sculptor. The altar piece represents St. Joseph´s death. His mother Anna is portrait on the socket.
Christophorus Fresco (17th cent.)
On 19th August 1997, while restoring the façade of the Parish Church in Oberolang, the restorer Eduard Kaiser made a sensational discovery: Underneath a thick mortar layer he discovered a huge gothic Christophorus fresco, 8 x 3.25 m large. Because of the plague, in the 17th cent., the painting had been covered with mortar. Since then it has been buried in oblivion. Although the painting had suffered a great deal from the coverage with mortar, the restorer was able to reconstruct the precious fresco, which is a fine example of the late gothic artist Friedrich Pacher.
St. Christophorus is worshipped as the travelers´ patron. In ancient times people believed that the contemplation of the saint´s portrait protected the travelers from death during the day. This credence was of great relief especially for the many hikers on the rather dangerous and exposed alpine tracks.
The fresco had been affixed on the narrow west façade of the church, as there it was more visible to the travelers coming from Nieder- und Mitterolang, form Geiselsberg, and from Ried.
Church of Saint Wolfgang in Geiselsberg (1484)
Around 1050 the village was named "Gisilhartisperch", mount Giselhart.
For the Ladin speaking community in Enneberg, the village was the place beneath the pass Furkel "Sorafurcia".
Since many centuries, every year on the Saturday previous Trinity Sunday, the people of Geiselsberg and Olang went on a pilgrimage to the Holy Virgin of Enneberg, in vulgar speech "Ennebergis" (beyond the mountain). Geiselsberg was part of the parish of Olang, but in 1785 the community received its own minister.
According to the legend a farmer named Arndt was attacked by a bear (or wolves?) near Furkel pass and he promised to construct a church if he survived. The actual church was consecrated by Bishop Konrad Reichard from Brixen. Later the church got transformed, and in 1893 it was renovated in neo-Gothic fashion. The west side of the tower bears the date of 1502. In order to be able to finance the tower and the furnishing of the church, the population of Geiselsberg asked for and received a letter of indulgence. Already in 1489 the people of Geiselsberg were granted such a letter. In that year Simon von Taisten painted the marvelous Christophorus on the façade. It is assumed that Simon von Taisten created also the magnificent sculptor of the Piety behind the altar, as well as the statues of Saint Wolfgang and Saint Leonhard, and the Virgin Mary.
It was Chaplain Leopold Wallnöfer, later minister of Olang, who, in 1893 accomplished a restoration of the church in neo-Gothic style.
In 1984, in occasion of the 500th anniversary of the church, the façade got renovated, and a fresco, probably painted by Simon von Taisten (1484), was laid open. The fresco shows several saints, among them Saint Wolfgang, the Saints Alexius and Leonhard, and the Virgin Mary.
The statues on the main altar were created by the Brixen based artist Augustin Valentin (1893). Johann Mitterwurzer from Mühlbach painted Saint Leonhard (about 1770). Here, the saint is depicted as Benedictine abbot and patron of the cattle.
The new organ with 7 registers was built by Kaufmann Josef. Bishop Heinrich Forer consecrated it in 1994 on Saint Wolgang´s Day.
Church of Assumption in Oberolang (1446)
The late gothic church in Oberolang was consecrated by Bishop Albertin in 1472. Around 1650 the church was renovated changed into baroque style. The actual appearance of the church is neo-Gothic (about 1900). Especially at the inside the church underwent a consistent change. In 1899/1900 architect Roman Picher took care of the renovation. The stoned glass was made in a Tyrolean Glass factory in Innsbruck. The wood work was completed by Jakob Veider from Niederrasen.
The right side altar shows a portrait of Saint Antonius, the statues represent the saints Chrysanth and Daria. The left side altar bears a painting of the Holy Virgin with Child, flanked by two statues, Saint Joachim and Saint Anna.
The main altar is a masterpiece of the artists: Peintner, artist and joiner, sculptor Winkler and painter Sailer. It consists of a relief representing the Assumption, the tabernacle, and the four evangelists.
Church of Saint Agidius in Mitterolang (1404)
It is the church of Saint Ägidius, the Three Magi, the "Dormouses", and the "Fourteen Helpers in Need".
It is assumed that a first consecration took place in 1138. Another one followed in 1404. The actual church dates back from that period, but the church underwent a transformation into baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries. On 13th June 1723 a fire damaged the tower and the roof badly, and therefore a renovation was necessary. Johann Mitterwurzer from Mühlbach painted the ceiling frescoes (end of 18th cent.) with the legend of Saint Ägidius, one of the most popular saints of the middle ages. After a second fire in July 1904, where tower and church again were damaged seriously, the ceiling frescoes were partly painted over.
The magnificent high altar dates back to 1679. Several artists contributed to its construction: Veit Hirber, Oberolang; Georg Stieger, sculptor at Sonnenburg Castle, and Simon Gasser, painter from Dietenheim. The lateral statues of Blasius und Erasmus were created by Silly (around 1770). Saint Blasius, on the right, holding a candle, is still worshipped by the local people.
Erasmus was bishop of Antiochia (Asia Minor), he is the patron of the wood turners and helper for abdominal pains.
On the side altar there is a feretory of Saint Aurelius, which in 1848 had been moved from the catacombs in Rome to Olang. Saint Aurelius is mostly invoked for favourable weather conditions. The tableau of the "Dormouses" was probably painted by Josef Renzler. The "Dormouses" were young Christian men from Ephesus (Turkey), who in times of Christian persecution (about 250 A.D.) took refuge in a cavern, where they were immured. After a certain time they woke up again, and were worshipped as living testimonies of the Christian faith.
On the left of the tableau: crucifix (1st half of 19th cent.), Holy Virgin and Saint John.
Way of the Cross: 1746 the Episcopal consistory granted the permit to install a way of the Cross.
On the balustrade of the gallery: Birth and circumcision of Jesus Christ, Adoration of the Magi (early 18th cent.)
North façade: Saint Michael, artist: Siegfried Pörnbacher (1955).
Webcam Valdaora
Tourist board Valdaora / Olang
Piazza Floriani 19
