Chiesa di San Giacomo

Saint James' Church, known in Ladin as Dlieja da Sacun, stands above Ortisei near the historic Troi Paian route. Its medieval origins and later decoration connect the hillside setting with the religious and artistic history of Val Gardena.

Why it matters

Traditionally regarded as the valley's oldest church, it is dedicated to Saint James, patron of pilgrims and travellers. The relationship between the church and the old route helps explain its place in the landscape.

What to notice

Late-fifteenth-century Gothic frescoes decorate the presbytery. Wall paintings beside the pulpit recount the legend of Saint James and date from the sixteenth century. The Baroque high altar, associated with the Vinazer-Pescosta workshop around 1750, combines curved columns with gilded figures. Sculptures and several altar objects are local carvers' replicas; the corresponding originals are preserved in Museum Gherdëina.

Context and history

The church's origins reach back to the twelfth century. Gothic remodelling shaped its later appearance, and Baroque furnishings added another layer. The building retains this combination of periods, while the transfer of selected artworks to the valley museum links conservation with its continuing heritage.