“Guardian Angels” of St. Proculus church
“Guardian Angels” of St. Proculus church
News Reschenpass closure: 10-minute diversion via Swizerland/Martina
THIS PERHAPS BEST DESCRIBES THE 35-YEAR RELATIONSHIP MARIA AND HEINRICH KOCH HAVE HAD WITH THE CENTURIES-OLD CHURCH OF ST. PROCULUS. AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, IT WAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THAT EVENTUALLY CLOSED THIS LONG CHAPTER IN THEIR LIVES, DURING WHICH THEY LED VISITORS ON COUNTLESS TOURS. WE MET UP WITH THE COUPLE AGAIN AND SPOKE ABOUT THE FRESCOES IN THE CHURCH, WHICH REMAIN A SOURCE OF FASCINATION FOR THEM. WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES ST. PROCULUS SO SPECIAL AND WHY SOME VISITORS ONCE CAME BEARING ARMS.

Your involvement with St. Proculus has lasted 35 years. What do you still find fascinating about it?
M: It’s how the church affects me. I’ve looked after it for 35 years, and when I conduct guided tours there I still find the frescoes as fascinating as I did on the very first day. It's amazing how much is concentrated in such a small space, with so much detail and hidden beauty.
H: What fascinates me is the realisation that, despite all the scientific knowledge that man has developed, we still know nothing. The Carolingian frescoes can be interpreted in so many ways, and the important questions of life are still open. Since so little is really known and we’re mostly left to speculate. Our explanations of various aspects of the church could only be based on the different theories that have been put forward. What these painters tried to pass on to us 1,300 years ago, we’ll never know – simply because we weren’t there. The frescoes depict subjects important to the Carolingians … things that had meaning for them. By contrast, frescoes by Gothic painters are more overtly dogmatic.

Is there a particular painting or fresco in the church that stands out for you?
M: The one depiction that still fascinates me to this day is image of the angels adoring the chancel arch with open hands. I especially like the gesture of the hands, as if to ward off evil. And if you look closer, they are the only figures in the church represented with ears! Perhaps it has to do with their proximity to the altar, so they can hear the Word of God.
H: That fact that there are certain depictions that are only found in St. Proculus is also exciting, such as the disproportionately large hands or the Gothic portrayal of the Magi. They were initially portrayed as children, then as adults and finally as old men. What does all this symbolise? Perhaps that Man is on a lifelong quest. What a unique depiction!

After more than 35 years working there, have you seen any change in the type of visitors who come to the church?
H: The type of people who come to visit St. Proculus Church have always been varied, and include regular tourists, school groups and academics. It's a bit of everything. The biggest change in recent years is that cultural tourism has increased a lot. Most of those who came to South Tyrol 35 years ago did so to go hiking and to enjoy the wine. That was about all. That’s changed a lot in recent years.

The frescoes in the St. Proculus Church are 1,300 years old.
What in your opinion is its main attraction, and what is it about this inconspicuous little church that makes it so interesting to visitors?
H: St. Proculus is more than a cultural attraction or just another church. It’s an energy spot! Such places have attracted visitors for centuries, and people always leave something of themselves behind. It’s also true that St. Proculus has been a source of fascination for esoteric visitors and energy diviners. Whichever way you look at it, we can all agree on the fact that St. Proculus Church makes people feel at ease. It’s a place where one can recharge one’s batteries. It isn’t unusual to find families with children in St. Proculus’s garden.

We live in turbulent times with various crises going on around the world. What would you say is the role cultural artefacts play in modern society? To provide social cohesion? Remember how the world looked on horrified when the Notre Dame caught fire, or when IS destroyed ancient monuments in Syria and Iraq?
H: Cultural monuments are rallying points for society; places of identification. These days, locals hardly notice them anymore as they are taken for granted. The fact that works of art in many historic buildings resonate with contemporary events somehow surprises people. In St. Proculus, there’s the fresco of Mary fending off the arrows of the Plague with her mantle, which seems so appropriate during the Covid-19 pandemic. I would say that people nowadays are turning back to culture and history. Obviously, I see this as a positive development.

So, these monuments aren’t just lifeless buildings?
M (laughing):
No, they aren’t lifeless. On the contrary, they are very much alive and if you pay attention, you’ll find they have the most fascinating tales to tell.
The church was like a second home for Maria and Heinrich.
The outwardly inconspicuous St. Proculus Church hides early Carolingian art treasures dating from about 1,300 years ago. Apart from their age, their artistic value is equally noteworthy. Frescoes include the renowned “Swinger”, Angels, ornamental Celtic bands, a herd of cattle and the onlookers. Next to these frescoes are gothic paintings.
For those interested in delving further into its history, there’s the Proculus Museum just opposite. Archaeological relics depict human activity in the area of Naturns/Naturno, from late Antiquity to the devastating Typhus Epidemic of the 17th Century.
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Naturns  I  Naturno Naturns I Naturno 19 hours ago
Naturns  I  Naturno

Endlich ist es wieder soweit!😍 Der Südtiroler Specktag in Naturns findet wieder statt!🥳
Genießt innovative Speckgerichte in einem tollen Ambiente: Kinderprogramm,Live-Musik mit den Gruppen "Zwoa a holb Lederhosn" und "Karussell" , sowie einem kleinen Spezialitätenmarkt rund um den Südtiroler Speck.🥓

📅 Wann? Sonntag, 4. Mai 2025 | 10–18 Uhr
📍Wo? Rathausplatz

Kommt vorbei, probiert euch durch und genießt einen unvergesslichen Tag mitten im Ortszentrum von Naturns! 💛

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Finalmente è di nuovo quel momento! 😍 La Giornata del Speck Alto Adige a Naturno è tornata! 🥳
Godetevi piatti innovativi a base di speck in un’atmosfera unica: programma per bambini, musica dal vivo con i gruppi "Zwoa a holb Lederhosn" e "Karussell", e un piccolo mercatino di specialità tutto dedicato allo speck altoatesino.🥓

📅 Quando? Domenica, 4 maggio 2025 | dalle 10:00 alle 18:00
📍 Dove? Piazza del Municipio, Naturno

Passate a trovarci, assaggiate le specialità e godetevi una giornata indimenticabile nel centro di Naturno! 💛

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Naturns  I  Naturno Naturns I Naturno 3 days ago
Naturns  I  Naturno

Wenn die Temperaturen im Frühling unter 0 °C fallen, wird es ernst für die zarten Apfelblüten.🌸
Aber unsere Obstbauern sind vorbereitet! 💪🍏

💧 Mit Frostschutzberegnung überziehen sie die Blüten mit einer feinen Wasserschicht. Klingt ungewöhnlich? Funktioniert aber! Beim Gefrieren des Wassers wird Wärme freigesetzt – und genau diese schützt die Blüten! ✨ Manchmal werden auch kleine Feuerstellen 🔥 in den Obstgärten entzündet, um die kalte Luft zu vertreiben. 💨

📸: Tourismusgenossenschaft Naturns_Hubert Grüner

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Quando in primavera le temperature scendono sotto lo 0 °C, la situazione si fa delicata per i fragili fiori dei meli.🌸 Ma i nostri frutticoltori sono pronti! 💪🍏

💧 Con l'irrigazione antibrina, ricoprono i fiori con uno strato sottile d’acqua. Sembra strano? Ma funziona! Durante il congelamento dell’acqua viene rilasciato calore – ed è proprio questo calore che protegge i fiori! ✨ A volte vengono accesi anche dei piccoli fuochi 🔥 nei frutteti per scacciare l’aria fredda. 💨

📸: Ufficio turistico di Naturno_Hubert Grüner

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naturns_naturno naturns_naturno 5 days ago
naturns_naturno

Spring Awakening at St. Proculus🌷

With the first warm rays of sunshine, a visit to the St. Proculus Church & Museum becomes a truly special experience. Surrounded by blooming meadows🌸 and the scent of spring, this place reveals its quiet magic.✨

⛪️ The small church, one of the oldest early medieval churches in Europe, tells stories from times long past through its mysterious frescoes.
🖼 In the adjoining museum, you can dive even deeper – into the history and culture of the region.

⏰ Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday & Sunday
10.00 - 12.30 and 14.30 - 17.30

📸: Tourismusgenossenschaft Naturns_Fotostudio2000

#naturns #naturno #spring #springvibes #proculus #culture #southtyrol #südtirol #frühling #prokuluskirche #prokulusmuseum #traumhaft #kultur #altoadige #chiesetta #sanprocolo #cultura #primavera #altoadigedascoprire #altoadigedavivere

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Naturns  I  Naturno Naturns I Naturno 6 days ago
Naturns  I  Naturno

Anreise nach Naturns oder Plaus – Bequem und schnell mit dem Flugzeug!✈️

Du möchtest in kürzester Zeit zu uns in die wunderschöne Region Südtirol reisen?😍 Kein Problem!
Buche einfach einen Flug mit SkyAlps nach Bozen und genieße einen bequemen Flughafentransfer direkt nach Naturns oder Plaus. 🚗

Ob alleine, zu zweit oder mit der ganzen Familie👨‍👩‍👦– unser Flughafentransfer bringt dich stressfrei und komfortabel zu deiner Unterkunft. So beginnt dein Urlaub bereits beim ersten Schritt!💛

Weitere Informationen: https://www.merano-suedtirol.it/de/naturns/info-events/informationen/lage-anreise/anreise-mit-dem-flugzeug.html

📸: Skyalps_Zulupictures

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Arrivo a Naturno o Plaus – Comodo e veloce in aereo!✈️

Vuoi raggiungere in poco tempo la nostra splendida regione dell’Alto Adige? 😍 Nessun problema!
Prenota semplicemente un volo con SkyAlps per Bolzano e goditi un comodo trasferimento dall’aeroporto direttamente a Naturno o Plaus.🚗

Che tu sia da solo, in coppia o con tutta la famiglia 👨‍👩‍👦, il nostro trasferimento ti porterà senza stress e comodamente fino al tuo alloggio. Così la tua vacanza inizia già dal primo passo!💛

Ulteriori informazioni: https://www.merano-suedtirol.it/it/naturno/informazioni-eventi/informazioni/come-arrivare/arrivare-in-aereo.html

📸: SkyAlps_Zulupictures

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naturns_naturno naturns_naturno 8 days ago
naturns_naturno

When spring temperatures drop below 0°C, things get serious for the delicate apple blossoms.🌸
But our fruit farmers are ready! 💪🍏

💧 With frost protection sprinklers, they cover the blossoms in a fine layer of water. Sounds strange? But it works! As the water freezes, it releases heat – and that heat protects the flower! ✨ Sometimes, small fire pits🔥 are lit in the orchards to push back the cold air.💨

📸: Tourismusgenossenschaft Naturns_Hubert Grüner

#naturns #naturno #spring #springvibes #appleblossom #frostprotection #applefarmers #southtyrol #frühling #apfelblüte #frostschutz #apfelbauern #frühlingsanfang #südtirol #altoadige #primavera #mele #fiori #altoadigedascoprire #altoadigedavivere

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