Each vineyard has its crucifix, each path its wayside shrine,
Where flowers adorn the Virgin’s brow, and crown the Child divine;
And few will pass those sacred spots without a lifted eye,
A crossing of the weary breast, a prayer, — at least a sigh.
John L. Stoddard – 1903
In a time when much of the modern world shies away from celebrating spiritual faith, South Tyrol stands apart. Tradition here is embraced and nourished. South Tyroleans maintain heartfelt respect for the solemn act of worship — cultivating a historic cultural garden unlike anywhere else in Europe.
The preservation of centuries-old religious customs and symbols is one of South Tyrol’s more charming aspects. Travelers to this blessed land get to reap the benefits. You’ll take in sacred sights that can deeply move you as much as the immense beauty of the landscape.
To this day, South Tyroleans creatively express their faith through a custom born in Christianity’s earliest years. Ancient Rome’s persecution of the first Christians made the open construction of churches virtually impossible. In their place, the faithful erected small monuments with cryptic Christian symbols to conceal worship from Rome’s soldiers. These hidden “signposts” became the earliest Christian shrines.
When Constantine the Great, the first Christian Roman emperor, decriminalized Christianity in 313 A.D. by issuing the Edict of Milan, mass persecution of Christians ended. Churches sprung up across Catholic Europe and the tradition of hidden shrines evolved into open illuminations of faith.
Each Path its Wayside Shrine
Today, one cannot wander in South Tyrol without encountering the sacred craftsmanship of wayside shrines. Whether we’re hiking a high mountain trail or meandering along a path in a valley, we always find them a delightful surprise. They seem to welcome you out of nowhere — poetically watching over the trail. Inviting a moment of prayer or reflection.
Set along paths, roads and nestled in quaint village nooks, South Tyrol’s wayside shrines come in an array of shapes and sizes. No matter how big or small, simple or elaborate, local residents take great care to beautifully harmonize them with the natural surroundings.
Each is tenderly crafted from wood or stone. And within many you’ll find a crucifix or an image of the Madonna hauntingly expressed in various artistic forms. Some also bear rosaries, photographs and other thoughtfully-carved prayers and blessings. The faithful will even keep candles burning, softly lighting all that the shrine holds. Quite often native flowers spring from the foot of shrines intimately binding them with heaven and earth.
Whether your South Tyrolean adventures carry you to the heights of the Dolomites or through the bountiful orchards flourishing within valleys, you’ll come across shrines and crucifixes. Some of our favorites are along South Tyrol’s Waalwegs, ancient water channels that weave throughout the mountains and vineyards bestowing pure Alpine water from snow-capped peaks.
You don’t have to be religious or spiritual to find South Tyrol’s wayside shrines enchanting. When you unexpectedly encounter one set among climbing vines in a steeply-terraced vineyard or deep within the solitude of an Alpine forest, taking a moment to admire their artistic beauty and the soulful devotion of faithful worshipers who safeguard each one is a reward unto itself.
If you’re not familiar with South Tyrol, discover why we think it’s Italy’s best kept secret. Check out our post on why South Tyrol belongs at the top of your travel wish list.
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I’ve never heard of this place or this beautiful custom. Thank you for sharing.
I love this and all of your posts. Your pictures are always amazing, too!
You have absolutely sparked my Intrigue. If I ever make it to Europe this place is definitely on my list now. So beautiful and interested.
Hope you do get to visit! Thanks so much!
These crucifixes are hauntingly beautiful. What a wonderful post!
WOW! What amazing pictures. I love this area but had never heard of these shrines. Quite amazing. Thanks for sharing.
I just love the history behind all of this. The photos are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Wow these photos are gorgeous!! Such a cool history.
While reading your post, I felt I was seeing a visual poem. I have not heard about this beautiful place and custom before. Glad I visited your blog. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post. From now on, I am your latest follower.
Thank you so much for the kind words. Glad you enjoyed our post. Thrilled to have you as a follower!
Wow that’s amazing! I love the photographs, and the one with the clouds give it a super spooky look.
Wow what an amazing place! Scenery and religion in one place. I learnt a lot from this post and will definitely look into going here. Looks like a valuable destination.
Wow! So much history! I live near Rome but I must admit I know so little about Roman history… time for me to hit the books! This was a great start! xx
Wow. This is amazing. I have never heard of this area or anywhere like it. Amazing! Thx for sharing!
These shrines are so beautiful and haunting! I feel like it’s probably a very emotional place to explore, the symbols are just so powerful.
That’s pretty surprising for me, I had no idea faith was so present everywhere in South Tyrol. Very interesting article!
I love this. I love the way you started out your post. I’m from a small state called Goa in India. The Portuguese left us a legacy one that lives on today. A number of small crosses exist on different parts of the state.
The pictures are so atmospheric. I especially love the first one. An interesting read as I’d never heard of this custom before. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much fpr sharing a part of Italy that is totally unknow to me. I also love the tour through religion because it is largely neglected in society today. Love remebering the history and importance of religion in centuries gone by and such magnificent statues.
Thank you for writing such an informative post about South Tyrol’s wayside shrines! It was really fascinating to read about, and they look absolutely stunning. I would love to see them in person.
I second the hauntingly beautiful comment. Shrines in the middle of nature always have a more impressive feel, thank you for letting me know about this place!
So hauntingly beautiful. Though I’ve stumbled across shrines in many different countries, I had no idea these existed. Thank you for sharing the background & beauty of these unique pieces of history. Gorgeous photography too!
Wow. These shrines are so beautiful!
I tend to be always be more interested in religion and spirituality when I travel to countries that are very different from my own for some reason, but your article showed me once more that there is so much to experience with refers to this in Europe too. It’s been said many times before but I have to point it out once more, your photography is outstanding in this article. Great work!
Woah, never heard of these but they are beautiful and definitely moving shrines. I would definitely like to see these. Thanks for sharing such a unique place!
These are soooo cool!! I will have to see them myself in person someday! Thanks for sharing!
What an interesting place to visit. I loved Tyrol but I didn’t know about this place – thanks for sharing!
I love seeing this region through your eyes. I live very close to here, in the German Alps, and we also have a lot of little shrines and altars. I used to say I know how much of my hike is left by how many stations of the cross I’ve gone. Lovely photos and imagery. Thanks for sharing.
Beautifully written, very informative and incredible photographs. Thanks for sharing, I had never even heard of this region. Definitely makes me want to visit!
Thanks so much! I hope you do get to visit!
I have never heard of this place, so it was such an interesting read. The images in this post were very powerful and beautiful.
Lovely! Stunning photographs that capture the beauty of the place
Very Detailed Blog!! I loved the way you have explained everything especially pictures.
I love finding articles like this – a place I’ve never heard about but has so much history and meaning. I’m saving this for future reference. Thank you!
These are incredible art works. Even if you´re not religious there is no way to deny the artful look of these cruxifixes. And hey the countryside is at least as beautiful. Thanks for showing us these pieces of art.
The pictures would have been able to tell a great story alone. I would have had no idea about this region had you not shared about it.
What gorgeous scenery. I love learning about customs like this. So interesting.
What an evocative piece, thank you for writing about it. Its a small aspect of European life that I’d never heard of.
Thanks so much! So many people haven’t heard of it. I hope you have an opportunity to visit someday
I’ve never heard of this place, but I’m glad you put it on my map. The images are really stunning – you have some great skills!
Wow! This almost looks spooky to visit. I love the photo with the fog.
Some of these are quite spectacular, what a lovely tradition. Would love to visit someday.
Thanks for introducing me to South Tyrol. This place looks like an interesting find.
I have been to Italy several times but have never heard of this area! I guess I will be making another trip. Thank you so much for such an interesting article.
Some of them are kind of scary, but so powerful! Thanks for sharing!
I know about Tyrol but had no idea about the shrines! Thanks for sharing this interesting fact, I enjoyed reading it!
The crucifix in each vineyard is so exquisite looking. I never seen anything like it. Absolutely love them. Wonderful pictures here. Thank you for sharing ?
wow this place looks amazing!! And I had never heard of it! thanks for sharing!
Beautiful pictures! Thanks for sharing with us.
Isn’t That Charming.
These are really cool and intense! I especially like that tree jesus.
I’ve never heard of this place before but it looks beautiful. I love discovering new locations and trying new adventures. Will have to add it to my long list!
These are beautiful!
Raised Catholic, I have a special love for the symbolism and beauty of it all. You’re right–there isn’t as much religious adornment these days. I have this feeling that we’ll see more of it as we’ve been getting more religious variety. Hopefully the religious iconography of the different religions will empower Christians! Interesting how we’ve moved from hyper religiosity to neutral to now seeing more religions represented.
These shrines are beautiful! I like the intricacy of the art and the scenery that surrounds them!
Each shrine is so distinct and beautiful. I love the way you have composed each image with the background. Lovely post!
This is such a picturesque and stunning place. I would love to go there and hike. Are there any good hiking trails?