St. Procolo church
This little church is located close to Naturno and is one of the oldest churches of Early Christian times in South Tyrol.
The St. Procolo church boasts the most ancient frescos of the German speaking area. In its essence, this church has been established between 630 and 650 AD. Still today the nave of the church is preserved in the original. The choir is trapeze-shaped, in the south the entrance has been established. Also the little wood window is on the side of the entrance is still visible today. The presbytery has in all probability been decorated with paintings, the first altar was brick-built.
Between the 12th and 14th century the church was redesigned and a new tower was added. The southern entrance has been shifted to the west side of the structure and a barrel vault has been added to the presbytery. In 1635 the Annenberger family took over the sacred building and used it as their burial ground. This family changed the building again and decorative paintings in Gothic style were added inside the Procolo church.
Today the age of the oldest paintings of the St. Procolo church is rather contested, new datings refer to the period of time between the 7th and 11th century. In the 17th century the inhabitants of Naturno were pest-ridden and within a short period of time every fourth inhabitant died. Close to the Procolo church a mass grave has been established.
Next to the church, in 2006 the association “Prokulus Naturns” established an own museum, aiming at providing further information on the church and its history. The cultural artifact Procolo is considered to be a particular ensemble and should be made accessible above all to the inhabitants of the village as site of inestimable value.
Opening hours museum:
Tuesday - Sunday from 10 - 12.30 am and from 2.30 - 5.30 pm
autumn: from October, 15, from 10 - 12.30 am and from 2-5 pm
phone: +39 0473 673139 / +39 331 6503464 - info@prokulus.org
Booking in advance required for groups and guided tours!
Opening hours church:
Tuesday - Sunday from 9.30 - 12 am and from 2.30 - 5.30 pm
autumn: from October, 15, from 9.30 - 12 am and from 2-5 pm
phone: +39 0473 667312 - prokuluskirche@gmx.net
Booking in advance required for groups and guided tours!
