Chiesa parrocchiale di Santa Cristina

The parish church of Santa Cristina stands above the village square in Val Gardena. Its Romanesque tower, Gothic chancel and Baroque high altar bring together several periods of the valley’s religious and artistic history.

Why it matters

A chapel dedicated to Saint Christina stood here by the twelfth century, and the church is documented in a record from 1342. The building became an important parish centre and later received a major high altar by the Vinazer family, with apostle figures by Christian Trebinger, one of the earliest documented sculptors from Val Gardena.

What to notice

The lower walls of the bell tower preserve Romanesque masonry, while the chancel is Gothic and includes a wooden choir. The high altar, dated to 1690, is attributed to the Vinazer family and includes figures of Saints Peter and Paul by Christian Trebinger. Other works include a painting by Josef Arnold the Elder and a bronze Saint Philomena by Johann Dominik Mahlknecht. A polygonal ossuary from the sixteenth century stands beside the church.

Context and history

The church’s earliest written record dates to 1342, though a chapel on the site is attested by the twelfth century. The Romanesque tower and Gothic chancel preserve the earlier phases of the building. Later additions include the polygonal ossuary and the 1690 altar, reflecting the role of Val Gardena’s woodcarving tradition in the church’s furnishings. The church is dedicated to Saint Anthony Abbot and Saint Christina of Bolsena.