naturns st prokulus kirche apfelbluete
naturns st prokulus kirche apfelbluete

St Proculus church

The St. Proculus Church in Naturno is one of the oldest churches of Early Christian times in South Tyrol

The St. Proculus Church is famous for its frescos from pre-Carolingian times, probably the most ancient frescos of the German speaking area and the most complete early fresco cycle of Tyrol. Today the age of the oldest paintings is rather contested, new datings refer to the period of time between the 7th and 10th century. The most famous fresco shows a man on a swing, probably it is St. Proculus himself, he was the bishop of Verona in the 4th century and had to flee from persecution. Another interpretation is, that the picture shows Paul on his escape from Damascus: he is let down the town wall on a rope.

In its essence, the building was established between 630 and 650 AD. The first altar was brick-built. Between the 12th and 14th century the church was restored and enlarged several times. In 1365, however, the Annenberg family took over the sacred building and used it as their burial ground. The nave was raised and decorative paintings in Gothic style were added inside the Proculus Church, covering the older frescos. In 1923/24 the pre-Carolingian frescos have been laid open during the restoration of the church. However, frescos dating back to the 14th century can still be seen e.g. on the southern outer wall (The Creation of the World and The Fall of Man). 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 church a mass grave has been established.

Next to the church, in 2006 the association "Prokulus Kulturverein" established an own museum with important finds of the 1985 and 1986 excavations as well as Gothic frescos removed from the church. The cultural artefact "Proculus" 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.

Contact info

Opening times

  • Tue 19 Mar 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Wed 20 Mar closed
  • Thu 21 Mar 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Fri 22 Mar closed
  • Sat 23 Mar closed
  • Sun 24 Mar 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Mon 25 Mar closed

Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.

Full timetables
Despite careful control we cannot guarantee the correctness of the provided data.

Spring 2024 (19/03/2024 - 02/06/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Wed closed
  • Thu 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Fri closed
  • Sat closed
  • Sun 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30

Easter 2024 (31/03/2024) 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30

Easter Monday 2024 (01/04/2024) closed

Liberation Day 2024 (25/04/2024) 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30

Labor Day 2024 (01/05/2024) closed

International Museum Day 2024 (19/05/2024) 10:00 - 17:30

Whit Monday 2024 (20/05/2024) closed

Republic Day 2024 (02/06/2024) 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30

Summer 2024 (04/06/2024 - 08/09/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Wed closed
  • Thu 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Fri closed
  • Sat closed
  • Sun 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30

Feast of the Assumption 2024 (15/08/2024) 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30

Autumn 2024 (10/09/2024 - 31/10/2024)

  • Mon closed
  • Tue 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Wed closed
  • Thu 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30
  • Fri closed
  • Sat closed
  • Sun 10:00 - 12:30 14:30 - 17:30

Romanesque Day 2024 (12/10/2024) 10:00 - 17:30

Admission

combined ticket church and museum:
€ 6.00 adults
€ 5.00 groups (10 and more persons)
€ 2.50 children and young people (10-18 years)
€ 2.50 students (up to 27 years)

€ 12.00 family ticket (parents with children under 18 years)

free for children under 10 years
free with the Museumscard and museumobil Card

€ 35.00 guided tour (flat rate)

More information

Free guided tour to the St. Proculus Church in the opening days (except on public holidays) at 10.30 am and 3 pm. The museum and the church stay open every year from mid-March to the end of October, in winter, the church is accessible on certain days. Season start 2024 on March 19.

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