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"Great is the power of memory that dwells in places." (from Cicero)

Kategorie Farbe
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Winged altar with nativity motifs

This crib in the shape of a 2.3-metre-high and 1.8-metre-wide winged altar was made in 1947 by Luis Insam from Ortisei for his family. The altar, reminiscent of neo-Gothic style, is carved from Swiss pine and is unvarnished. It depicts the three kings on their journey to Bethlehem, the shepherds' adoration and, on its wings, there are reliefs showing the nativity story, for which the artist deploys a rural farm setting. 

Christ of Sëurasas

The original summit cross at Sëurasas with the life-size figure of Christ comes from the young sculptors Vinzenz Peristi and Baptist Walpoth. It was fashioned out of Swiss pine in 1932 on that very spot on the mountain. The dramatic depiction of Jesus' emaciated body and anguished face is remarkable. Peristi fell during the Second World War, while Walpoth had already been killed in a hunting accident. There has been a replica in the place of the original since 1959. 

Saint Barbara

The wooden sculpture of Saint Barbara, patron saint of miners and railway workers, was carved by Johann Baptist Moroder in 1914. It was originally located in a specially designed niche above the former railway tunnel behind Ortisei parish church. The original is now in Museum Gherdëina, and a bronze copy is located near the old locomotive in Bahnhofstraße in Ortisei. 

This cultural asset is part of the tour "Ortisei: a stroll through the village centre and its history"

Bust of Louis Trenker

The bronze bust of Luis Trenker by the sculptor David Moroder was created in 1984 while Trenker was still alive. The bust of the mountaineer, architect, actor, director and storyteller, who was born in Ortisei, was unveiled in its current location in front of Museum Gherdëina in 2001. It commemorates one of the valley's most famous sons, to whom the museum dedicates a whole special exhibition area.

Saint Philomena

The plaster sculpture of St Philomena, with martyr's palm, whip, anchor, and arrows, was created by the sculptor Dominik Mahlknecht. Born in 1793 at Rainel farm in Oltretorrente, he emigrated to Paris at the age of 16, where he rose to the position of royal court sculptor. The original sculpture stands in the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois in Paris, with a second copy at the fountain square in Ortisei, which was copied from the original plaster model in Museum Gherdëina. 

 

Saint Ulrich

The carved, brightly painted, and partially gilded wooden sculpture of Saint Ulrich stood in the old parish church at the cemetery. It is a late work by a sculptor from the Vinazer school and depicts Saint Ulrich, the patron saint, wearing a mitre and bishop's vestments, holding a staff, as well as a fish resting on the Book of Gospels. Ulrich was the Bishop of Augsburg around the year 1000. His veneration was brought to Val Gardena by the medieval lords of the manor. 

Baroque Adoration nativity scene

The carved, painted, and gilded nativity scene of the Adoration of Jesus by the three kings was displayed during Christmas in St. Jacob's Church. A sculptor from the workshop of Kassian Melchior Vinazer carved it around 1760. In addition to Mary with the Christ child, the scene includes Joseph, Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar. The representation of Balthazar as African emerged in Bohemia during the late Middle Ages and became popular throughout Europe. 

Margaret of Antioch with dragon

The figure of St Margaret of Antioch with a dragon was probably created around 1700 by a sculptor from the Trebinger workshop. It would have featured as part of a small family altar in the parish church of St Christina. During the neoclassical period, the multicoloured, partially gilded wooden sculpture was painted white to give the impression of marble. Only during cleaning in the 1990s did its original appearance re-emerge.

This cultural asset is part of the tour "St. Jacob and its over-500-year-old farms".