The Church of the Holy Spirit (Parrocchia di Santo Spirito) is one of several ancient churches in the alpine spa town of Merano. Admire the church’s artwork and experience the spiritual tranquility at a Mass service.
The nobleman and ruler of the County of Tyrol, Meinhard II, commissioned the Church of the Holy Spirit and a nearby hospital in 1271. The church was destroyed after the Passer River burst its banks and then rebuilt again in the 1400s.
Today’s church is a German Gothic-style hall church. Look for the nearby rationalist-style building that conceals the church. It was intentionally built this way by fascist Italians to hide the church’s Gothic appearance associated with Germans. The stand-out feature of the church’s façade is its arched entrance, above which is a rose window. Note the buttresses and carved figures that portray Jesus, saints and the symbols of the Trinity.
Go inside to see a nave lined by tall columns and high vaulted ceilings. Study the biblical scenes depicted on the stained-glass windows. Additional scenes from the Bible are displayed on the decorative altar.
Merano’s Church of the Holy Spirit is open daily, admission is free and photography is allowed inside. Be mindful that this is an active place of worship so dress appropriately and be respectful when visiting. Join the local congregation that comes to pray and sing hymns at the church. Mass services take place daily and are conducted in Italian.
You’ll find the Church of the Holy Spirit on the south side of the Passer River. Get here by crossing the Postbrücke bridge from the Passeggiata Lungo Passirio promenade. Combine your time at the church with a visit to Elisabeth Park, a green space named after the Empress Elisabeth of Austria. Spot fountains, a statue of the empress and centuries-old trees and then stroll along a riverfront path or follow Sissi’s Path to Trauttmansdorff Castle Gardens.
