Chiesa di San Giovanni in Ranui

What makes it special

From the viewpoint, the tiny Baroque building sits low in the grass, with the Odle, called the Geisler in German, rising far above it. The chapel is dedicated to St John of Nepomuk, and it belongs to the Ranuihof, the farm beside it, together with the meadow it stands in.

On the front, an inscription names Michael Jenner as the builder. He had died in 1723, and the chapel was in fact built by Joseph Anton Jenner, with Michael's name probably added by descendants out of respect.

Behind the locked door are altar paintings by Franz Sebald Unterberger, a painter from the Fiemme valley in Trentino. A fresco covers the barrel vault, and with the paintings on the side walls it shows scenes from the life of the saint.

Visiting

Leave the car at the Ranui bus stop, or step off the bus there, and walk along the road towards the farm. About 100 metres from the car park is a clearly marked photo spot, the official viewpoint over the meadow, and the visit happens from there.

From the marked spot the chapel stands in the middle of the grass, with the Odle peaks above its roof. Walk on along the road for a few other angles, then head back the same way to the car park or the stop.

Tips

The viewpoint stays busy with cameras into October, so give yourself time to wait for a clear view of the chapel.

If you want more than the view from the road, an easy 6 km loop from Ranui takes under two hours.