Kiens: Cultural Trails, Churches and Historic Sites

Trails and Culture in Kiens

The Roman Road from Kiens to Ehrenburg begins in the center of Kiens and includes information and rest stations about travel in Roman times. Those interested in historical forms of travel will find themed information about travel in Roman times along the Roman Road. An information station provides explanations; a rest station designates a place to take a break along a route.

St. Sigmund: Church and Sacred Artwork

The present parish church of St. Sigmund was built from 1449 to 1489. As a parish church, it is the house of worship of a parish. The high altar of the parish church of St. Sigmund dates from 1440 and is one of the oldest and most significant winged altarpieces in South Tyrol. The high altar is therefore older than the present church. A high altar is the prominent main altar of a church. A winged altarpiece has movable wings or picture panels on the sides and belongs to sacred art.

The Baroque Stöckl chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows in St. Sigmund was built in 1621 and extended in 1644. Baroque refers to a historical period of art with its own architectural and formal language. In a Baroque building, this formal language shapes the design of the interior, façade and furnishings.

Ehrenburg: Castle and Provost Church

The original complex of Ehrenburg Castle was built in the 12th century; around 1732, the castle was redesigned as a Baroque castle. A Baroque castle is a castle whose design is associated with the Baroque period. Ehrenburg Castle can only be viewed from the outside.

The present Provost Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Ehrenburg is a Baroque building constructed from 1698 to 1701. A provost church is a church associated with a provostry. The crypt chapel of the Provost Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary houses the “Grain Mother of God” and other remarkable works of art. A crypt chapel is a sacred space beneath or near a church.

Hiking and Historical Traces

The cultural and scenic hike begins in Kiens and initially follows the Grünbach stream toward Schöneck Castle. The term cultural and scenic hike refers to cultural points of interest and the landscape along the route. For planning a day with different focuses, the clear direction via Grünbach and Schöneck Castle provides helpful thematic orientation.

The Ehrenburg milestone is around two metres high, made of quartz phyllite, and is one of the best-preserved of its kind in South Tyrol. Quartz phyllite is a metamorphic rock. A milestone traditionally refers to a stone distance marker along a transport route. The height, material and state of preservation define the description of the Ehrenburg milestone.

Excursions to Kronplatz

Kiens is a starting point for excursions to Kronplatz, which is easy to reach by public transport.

Other destinations for planning your trip: Terenten, San Candido, Gais, Mühlen in Taufers, Luttach, La Villa, Issing, Gsies.

To the higher-level travel overview: Puster Valley.