Church of S. Vigil

Piazza O.v.Wolkenstein/O.v.Wolkenstein Platz 8 39040 Seis am Schlern
News
The church cannot be visited from the inside.
Description to arrive at destination

The church of St.Vigil is situated in the fraction of St.Vigil. Coming out of Seis (in direction of Völs) we take the road on the right side to the golf course and in direction St. Vigil/St. Oswald). After 1 km the church is on the left side of the road.

By foot - From Seis village center, take the Burgfrieden street and follow the signposts to St. Vigil (trail no. 7A), passing by the idyllic Malenger mill, until you come to the Simmele Müller farm. Take a left at the crossroads and, after a few steps, cross the bridge to the St. Vigil chapel. Take the same route for your return.

Parking

There is an underground car park behind the petrol station and the bus station in Seis where you can park for a fee. There is also a chargeable underground car park at the valley station of the aerial cableway Seis-Seiser Alm.

General description

As you walk through the woody valley between Seis and St. Konstantin, all of a sudden the church tower of the St. Vigil chapel towers up before you. This unusual location for a House of God, first documented in the year 1260, is not only a matter of intrigue, but also the origin of countless myths and legends. The chapel was built on an old pagan cult site, during the course of Christianisation. One particular curiosity: At the beginning of spring, on the 21st of March, the shadow of the Schlern falls directly on the chapel for the last time until the 23rd of September, when it heralds the return of autumn.

The small church is dedicated to the holy Vigilius. Worth seeing are the altar from the early 16th century, as well as the figures and grotesque masks decorating the modillions.

Public transport

The sight is easily and comfortably accessible by public transport. By bus line 177 from the main bus station at Seis am Schlern to the bus station "Örtl" or "St. Vigil" - the church is located directly between these two bus stations.

Author's tip
Curiosity - At the St. Vigil Chapel there is a spring from which water only runs for a short period of the year - from May until the end of June. One can only take a guess at where this water comes from; one possible source could be the mysterious ponds at the Rungger Egg, a pagan cult site of great significance.
Recommended period
January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December