The Dolomites Workshop 10-28-23

After breakfast, we went to Ortisei and parked the vans in the parking garage before heading up on a cable car to the Alpine of Siusi Mountain plateau. We were told that if you wanted, you could stay at the lodge area and walk less for some views of the mountains or walk into the valley to get a different perspective. I chose the valley walk but wished I didn't overdress as I wore a heavy jacket. I didn't know the weather would be so warm. The walk on the trail was easy going down, but my mind was on the way back as I thought it would be slow going with carrying all my gear. The morning fog drenched the valley, giving it dimension through the piercing sun. Coming down the mountain, our group decided that we would spend some free time in the city and lunch on our own before going out for the sunset. I window-shopped the town, went into this small church in the center plaza, and said a prayer of thanksgiving. Continuing, I could see a lot of German influences in their crafts displays. Meandering through the town's streets, I approached some of my group and sat down with them. I had a glass of mineral water as they enjoyed their snack. We met at the bridge and headed out to the best and most iconic Tyrolean landscape. The Panorama di Santa Maddalena is somewhat of a walk from the parking lot, but it is worth the hike. The path is well laid out, and the viewpoint is breathtaking as I set up with at least a hundred more people trying to get the perfect shot on the side of the road. A walk in the dark back to the van before dinner in town, where I ordered a pizza with sausage but didn't know the sausage would be wieners. I had to laugh at that one, as I called it a day.

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very beautiful landscape

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Church of St. Magdalena

The first mention of the church of Santa Maddalena dates back to 1394. The nave of the church consists mainly of a "corridor" building, therefore typically late Gothic, with an asymmetrical ribbed vault. The interior decoration of the church dates back to the XVIII century and is in Baroque style.
Church of St. Magdalena in Villnöss
The church of St Magdalena is located in the homonymous village in Villnöss valley. In its simple late Gothic beauty, the building perfectly harmonises with the majestic Geisler peaks in its background and is therefore one of the most popular photo motifs in South Tyrol.
According to a legend, a small statue of Sainte Magdalene was washed ashore after a heavy storm. Where it was found, there was later built this church. The votive tablet is still displayed in the church today, first mentioned in documents in 1394. The only church tower remained of the original building, as the present late Gothic construction dates back to the end of the 15th century.
The environs of St. Magdalena church
Apart from the asymmetrical reticulated vault, St. Magdalena has Baroque interiors. Wonderful as well are the paintings by Ladin artist Johann M. Pescoller of the year 1928 in the choir vault. Together with Mesnerhaus, the old school building and Obermesnerhof farm, the church forms an idyllic ensemble.
Important information on how to get there: The access road to the church is reserved for residents, and therefore blocked for other traffic by a gate. It is recommended to park at the "Putzen" car park shortly after St. Magdalena (about 30 minutes' walk from the church).

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Parish church of Urtijëi
A small Catholic church dedicated to Sant Antonio is located in Piazza Sant Antonio in the town of Ortisei in the province of Bolzano in Trentino Alto Adige. It is a small welcoming chapel with beautiful spiritual energy, a bright and profound place of worship with statues and paintings, all to be admired in silence and prayer absolutely to visit to light a candle in contemplation.
Coordinates: 46.5752°N 11.6716°E
Parish church of Urtijëi

Religion
Affiliation
Roman Catholic
Location
Location South Tyrol, Italy
Architecture
Completed 1792-1796
The Parish Church of Urtijëi located in the town of Urtijëi in Val Gardena in South Tyrol, Italy is dedicated to the Epiphany and to Saint Ulrich.
It was built in the years 1792-1796 in the Neoclassical style with some Baroque elements by the tyrolean master Joseph Abenthung and the interior domes painted by the Tyrolean brothers Franz Xaver and Josef Kirchebner. The structure of the church has the form of Latin cross with a central nave and two lateral chapels dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and to Our Lady of the Rosary.
Artworks[edit]
The church contains a great number of sculptures, mostly in wood, carved by artists from Val Gardena, including Vigil Dorigo, Luis Kostner, Josef Moroder-Lusenberg, Anton Pitscheider and Franz Ruggaldier. In the corners of the presbytery there are four plaster statues, created by Johann Dominik Mahlknecht (German Wikipedia) for this church but never cast in bronze, representing the four Evangelists.
The stained glass windows are a matching set, each one containing a roundel with the head of one of the Twelve Apostles.