Parish Church of Santa Cristina

As early as the 12th century, a chapel dedicated to Saint Christina of Bolsena stood on the site of today's Parish Church of Santa Cristina. A church was first mentioned here in the 14th century, and its Romanesque details are still visible on the bell tower today. The Gothic chancel and other parts of the building were added and extended over the centuries.

Today, the church is dedicated to Saint Anthony the Abbot (January 17) and Saint Christina of Bolsena (July 24), who is venerated as a virgin and martyr. The church is located on the Piazza della Parrocchia, the church square in Santa Cristina Valgardena near the ancient high-altitude trail "Troi Paian". This was an old trade and communication route that connected the Valle Isarco through the Dolomites with the Fursil ore mines near present-day Colle Santa Lucia in Belluno.

Three portals lead into the church: The main entrance, which faces west, is accessible via a stone bridge. Inside, those interested in culture will find several notable features. These include the high altar from 1690 by the well-known Vinazer family of sculptors, which features the apostles Peter and Paul by Christian Trebinger, the earliest documented sculptor from Val Gardena.

Also of note are the neoclassical bronze statue of Saint Philomena in the ossuary, a work by Johann Dominik Mahlknecht, and the painting "The Baptism of Christ and St. Martin" by Josef Arnold the Elder (1788-1879). Santa Cristina is the oldest parish church in the Val Gardena - the oldest church overall is the Dlieja da Sacun, also located on the "Troi Paian" high-altitude trail.