The pretty St. Hippolytus Church in Le Coste stands on a hill, a magnificent vantage point above the Val Passiria
Image gallery: Le Coste
San Leonardo lies in the valley, with Le Coste high above it: You can reach the hamlet via the Passo di Monte Giovo road, climbing another good 550 metres in altitude. Up here, the air is clear, the meadows steep, and the panorama overwhelming. The view opens up over the Val Passiria towards Merano - above, the Giogo Alto (Glaitner Hochjoch) protects the few houses and farms.
This pass in the Stubai Alps is the local mountain of San Leonardo and a popular destination. Arriving at the summit at 2,389 metres above sea level, you stand on the municipal boundary between San Leonardo in Passiria and Racines in the Upper Valle Isarco. The pleasant hike starts from the neighbouring Stulles: On the Jaufenkamm Urweg (no. 12), you proceed to the Fleckner Hut, followed by the ascent to the Schlattacher Joch ridge and to the summit. Alternatively, the Val Passiria High Route takes you there. You can also walk down to San Leonardo on forest paths.
Situated between the farms of Le Coste (Glaiten), the Chapel of St. Hippolytus stands on a hill. Pottery shards were found all around - as on the "Heache" near Stulles - which prove a prehistoric settlement. Moreover, it is suspected that the church stands exactly where a pagan burnt offering site existed in the Bronze Age. A few years ago, St. Hippolytus was due to be renovated.
Surprisingly, frescoes from around 1380 AD were discovered during the process, depicting the life of the saint: They originate from representatives of the Bolzano School and demonstrate how the then-new painting style of Giotto spread from Italy. They are the oldest in the valley. Unfortunately, the church is rarely accessible and the frescoes are partly heavily damaged - however, the fresco of St. Christopher on the southern outer wall is likely by the same painter.
