We wanted to drive from St. Leonard towards Merano and therefore in the morning I had a look on the map if there is anything interesting on the way we could visit before. I saw a recommendation for the parish church in Kuens. So we decided to stop by and have a look at it.
Kuens (the German name) or Caines (the Italian name) is located above Merano and at the entrance of the Val Passiria. It is one of the smallest municipalities of South Tyrol which we could clearly see when driving up the hill to find the church. There were only a few houses.
The many vineyards and fruit orchards surrounding the village are so typical for the region and the gardens are really lovely. Flowers everywhere and a lot of ‘greens’.
The Nature Park Gruppo Tessa is located right here and offers a lot of hiking possibilities.
But back to the church. We eventually found it and parked on the little parking ground. We found a small graveyard attached to the church.
The church itself is in the Romanesque style. It is believed that it was built in the 12th century on the rests of another church. That one would be built by S. Corbinian himself and dedicated to S. Valentine and S. Zeno. Today it is dedicated to S Corbinian and S. Mauritius.
In the 15th century the nave got a Gothic choir, with lancet windows and net vault. Later, around 1615/16, the nave got a different ceiling: a pointed barrel vault. And in the mid 19th century the nave was extended on the west-side.
On the south-side on the outside wall we found interesting frescoes from the 14th century and a sun dial.
The view from here, over the mountains and the cultured landscape, is amazing. It is not far away from the little town Tirol and of course from Merano – our final destination today.
I recommend this little church as it is a wonderful example of the religion in this area. Also there are no crowds and you will be pretty alone to visit. Maybe you can stay for a while and relax in the simple but overwhelming inside.
Kuens, South-Tyrol/Italy:
