At the small local museum, you can glimpse into the way of life, customs, traditions, and work in the Val Venosta
Image gallery: Laudes
The village of Laudes (Laatsch) is located where the Val Monastero branches off from the Val Venosta towards Switzerland. It is part of the extensive municipality of Malles Venosta, a quiet village with a distinctly agricultural centre. It lies beneath the Cima di Tella, a spur of the Sesvenna Alps, and is home to three churches worth visiting: the Parish Church of St. Lucius and St. Leonard's Church with its Schnatterpeck winged altarpiece, which you can admire on a guided tour. The Church of St. Caesarius, however, is located on the southern edge of the village.
The Adige River flows past Laudes on its way from the the Resia Pass to the Adriatic Sea, dividing the village. The Malles town bus and the summer hiking buses connect the various hamlets of Malles, making convenient excursions possible. A recommended hike is the Hours' Trail, which once connected the Swiss World Heritage site of St. John in Müstair with the Monte Maria Abbey.
While the Swiss section to Laudes is permanently closed due to the ongoing risk of rockfalls, the stage from Laudes to Monte Maria offers a contemplative hike - with a special destination: Europe's highest Benedictine abbey with its Monastery Museum.
If you prefer cycling trips, the cycle tour to the Engadine via the Forno Pass will test your fitness. Returning after the day tour is possible using the cross-border PostBus services. In winter, the Watles Skiing Area is quickly accessible. By the way: Please don't confuse Laudes with the more well-known Laces in the lower Val Venosta, as in German they are known as Laatsch resp. Latsch.
