NOVACELLA ABBEY

In the middle of the vineyards, 3 km north of Bressanone, stands one of the religious complexes that made the history of Tyrol. The abbey of Novacella, founded in 1142 by the Augustinians, was one of the most fervent intellectual and artistic centers of the Middle Ages. The library still houses 76,000 illuminated and bound volumes that confirm the abbey's prestige in the transmission of written knowledge. The entrance to the religious complex is preceded by the circular Saint Michael's Chapel, a former pilgrims' hospice. Built at the end of the ^12th century, it was crowned with battlements when the abbey was fortified in the ^15th century. In the center of the interior courtyard, the Well of Wonders is covered by a small octagonal aedicule decorated with paintings representing the seven wonders of the world plus an eighth which is none other than the abbey! The picture library holds precious works owned by the abbey, including two altarpieces by Friedrich Pacher (1480). The Gothic cloister is richly decorated with frescoes from the late ^13th to the ^15th century. It was during this period that the abbey experienced its most splendid period. Note the gothic choir and altars, some of which were made by renowned artists of the time such as Michael and Friedrich Pacher or Max Reichlich. The church itself was completely refurbished in the Baroque style in the ^18th century. Finally, make a detour to the cantina to taste one of the white wines produced by the abbey, such as an excellent Kerner.