Latsch: Churches, Menhir and Castle

Latsch offers several distinct themes for a stay: Romanesque architecture, religious works of art, a prehistoric menhir, and trails for walking and cycling. If you are looking for a hotel in Latsch, you can plan around these highlights according to what you would like to do during your trip. The town’s history can be traced through specific buildings and an archaeological find; for active days, the Waalweg trail and a cycling tour towards the Martelltal valley take centre stage.

Churches and their art

St Nicholas’s Church is a small Romanesque church with a chancel tower, dating from the late 12th century. Remains of frescoes on its south façade depict the Crucifixion, as well as St Nicholas and St Christopher. The architecture and frescoes offer two different points of reference for exploring the church: its Romanesque style and the religious subjects depicted.

Bichl Church is the oldest church in Latsch. The Church of the Holy Spirit also offers specific points of reference for the town’s art history: it houses a winged altarpiece created in 1524 by the Swabian master Jörg Lederer. The church’s fresco cycles were painted by Adrian Mair in the first decade of the 17th century. Their different dates help distinguish the altarpiece from the frescoes chronologically, rather than treating the furnishings as a single work.

The Latsch Menhir and its discovery

The Latsch Menhir is located in St Nicholas’s Church in the centre of Latsch. It was discovered at a different church: during restoration work at the Church of Our Lady on the Bühel in 1992. The menhir dates from 3300 to 2200 BC, placing it far earlier than the Romanesque St Nicholas’s Church.

Latsch Castle: exterior viewing only

Latsch Castle dates from the 13th century and was the ancestral seat of the Lords of Annenberg. It is the only moated castle in the Vinschgau. The key condition to bear in mind when planning your visit is that the castle is privately owned and can only be viewed from the outside. The interior is not open to visitors, so plan to see the exterior only.

Plan a Waalweg walk or a cycling tour

The Latschander Waalweg follows Trail No. 3 from Latsch to Kastelbell. To hike along the Waalweg, you can take the train from the direction of Mals or Meran to Latsch and start there. Check the train times for your travel date if you include this option in your plans. The named starting point and trail number provide clear guidance when choosing this hike.

Another option is the “In the Footsteps of the Giro d’Italia” cycling tour. It starts in Latsch, goes via Goldrain and Morter towards the Martelltal valley, and continues via Burgaun and Gand to the Martelltal reservoir at an altitude of 1,843 metres. Along the way, the route passes the Chapel of Maria in der Schmelz and the biathlon centre. This makes it quite different from the Latschander Waalweg: the hike runs from Latsch to Kastelbell, while the cycling tour heads towards the Martelltal valley and ends at the reservoir. When choosing between them, consider the activity you prefer and the respective destination described.

A cultural village tour is listed in the programme for 2026. Plans for future guided tours may change. It includes visits to St Nicholas’s Church, the Church of the Holy Spirit and the Parish Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Check the specific dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Laas, Morter, Kastelbell-Tschars, St. Valentin a.d. Haide, Prad Am Stilfserjoch, Kapron, Goldrain, Glurns

For the broader travel overview: Vinschgau.