A walk through the village, from the Gothic parish church to the San Sigismondo Butterfly Trail
Image gallery: San Sigismondo
To the west of Chienes lies San Sigismondo, one of the municipality's larger hamlets, known to locals as "Zimmatn". At the entrance to the village, the historic "Zum Treyen" inn greets you, before the path leads into the village centre and to the Parish Church of Our Lady "in the Stöckl". The church is considered one of South Tyrol's most beautiful architectural monuments, and its high altar, dating from 1440, is one of the oldest and most significant winged altarpieces in the region.
A prominent painter of the Late Gothic period, known as the "Master of St. Sigmund", was involved in its creation. The village circular walk is perfect for a leisurely stroll and connects to the Butterfly Trail for a longer tour. This themed trail follows the sunny slope of San Sigismondo near Chienes (St. Sigmund) and sparks a sense of discovery, even in children.
Near the Gugge-Höhe farms, for instance, a legend tells of the giants of Casteldarne, who are said to have destroyed the nearby little Gugge Castle - also known as Guggenschlösschen - with large stone balls. If you prefer travelling by bike, the Pusterbike Cycle Path will take you to the shops, museums, attractions and culinary destinations between Fortezza, Brunico, and San Candido.
Incidentally, campers may already be familiar with San Sigismondo, as one of the Pusteria Valley's campsites is located on the banks of the Rienza River. In winter, the Plan de Corones Skiing Area, with its more than 100 kilometres of pistes, is easy to reach. It is connected to the Dolomiti Superski network, and there are also toboggan runs and cross-country ski trails for variety.
Notice: Due to the construction of the Riggertal loop and safety-related works, sections of the Val Pusteria Railway will be closed until January 2026. A rail replacement bus service will be in operation.
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