Video Guide for Chiesa dello Spirito Santo - Merano

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The original 1271 church was destroyed by a flash flood and replaced 1483 by Sigismondo, the Prince of Austria. It was consecrated 50 years before its completion by Archbishop of Trento. Internally its design is almost identical to St Nicolas near by. There are few ancient works of art particularly of beautifully carved wooden biblical scenes.

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Chiesa dello Spirito Santo

Early records reveal that a church stood here in 1271 but there’s nothing remaining of the original building now. In fact, on the 22nd of September 1419, the day of San Maurizio, between 9-10am, a huge flash flood swept across the southern end of the city taking with it the hospital and adjacent church. As well as destroying 7 houses the flood claimed 400 victims including the parish priest who was saying mass at the time. In 1483 the church was rebuilt.

Internally there is an uncanny resemblance to the more recognised church of St Nicolas a few streets away. The ribbed vault and stone columns are almost identical, the main reason being that they were built only a few years apart.

The ancient hospital and church was founded here by Prince Mainardo, his consort Elizabeth and the Counts of Tirol and Gorizia. After the terrible event of 1419 the church and hospital were rebuilt in 1483 at the cost of Sigismondo, the Prince of Austria. In order that the same thing didn’t happen again the banks of the nearby river Passirio were rebuilt and given extra support around the weak points along the river.

On 24th August 1431, the feast of St Bartholomew, the Archbishop Alessandro of Trento, consecrated the church despite the fact that it would take another 50years to finish it.

This main altar in honour of the Holy Spirit was blessed by Giorgio of Trento on the 31st May 1450 while this one behind it dedicated to the Virgin, Saints Giacomo and Giorgio was consecrated on the 14th September 1433. This next one in honour of various saints was actually blessed in that same year of 1431 by Archbishop Alessandro of Trento.

Near the entrance is this chapel illustriously decorated with a huge wooden display of biblical scenes, some showing lavishly gold plated statues. Underneath it is this final scene of a dead Christ in His Mother’s arms.

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