Romanesque Days at St. Jakob Church in Grissian
The Romanesque Days at the Church of St. Jakob in Grissian, a jewel of medieval frescoes
About Romanesque Days in Grissian
The Romanesque Days in Grissian
The Tage der Romanik (Romanesque Days) is an initiative that invites visitors every second weekend of October to discover the rich medieval heritage of South Tyrol along the Alpine Romanesque Road ("Stiegen zum Himmel"), which winds from Burgusio in the Vinschgau Valley to San Candido in the Upper Puster Valley. Coordinated by IDM Südtirol, the event opens the doors to over thirty cultural sites—churches, chapels, monasteries, and castles—offering free guided tours, lectures, and themed walks. In Tesimo/Tisens, in the province of Bolzano, the event is organized by the Tesimo-Prissiano Tourist Association and centers on the small, precious Church of St. Jakob in Grissian.
The Church of St. Jakob in Grissian
Isolated on a ridge at an altitude of 922 meters above the hamlet of Grissian, the Church of St. Jakob is one of the most significant Romanesque monuments in all of South Tyrol. According to a six-meter-long inscription preserved in the presbytery, this simple rectangular church with an eastern semicircular apse was consecrated on May 12, 1142. Inside, it preserves a cycle of Romanesque frescoes dating back to around 1210-1220, among the most important in the Alpine region: the figure of Christ in Majesty within the mandorla stands out, flanked by biblical episodes and saints that bear witness to the refined medieval pictorial culture of the region.
A Heritage to Rediscover
During the Romanesque Days, the church remains open to visitors, and free guided tours help the public interpret the frescoes, illustrating their iconography, technique, and meaning. Tours are conducted in Italian and German and do not require booking; there are also sessions designed for children, featuring small quizzes and prizes. Visitors are offered a South Tyrolean apple as a gift, a symbol of the territory.
Art, Nature, and Hiking
Reaching the Church of St. Jakob is part of the experience: the site is located at the end of short, scenic paths through the woods and apple orchards of Tesimo-Prissiano, in a landscape that ignites with autumn colors in October. The Romanesque Days thus weave together medieval art, nature, and hiking, offering a slow and authentic way to get to know the historical identity of this corner of the Merano region.
Useful Information
- Municipality: Tesimo/Tisens, hamlet of Grissian, Province of Bolzano, Trentino-Alto Adige
- Period: Second weekend of October
- Location: Church of St. Jakob in Grissian, Grissianer Straße 21
- Tour Languages: Italian and German
- Admission: Free, no reservation required
- Information: Tesimo-Prissiano Tourist Association, tel. +39 0473 920822
Romanesque Days in Grissian — edition 2026
In the 2026 edition, the Tage der Romanik return on the usual second weekend of October, Saturday, October 10 and Sunday, October 11. In Grissian, a hamlet of Tesimo/Tisens, free guided tours will accompany visitors to discover the Church of St. Jakob, consecrated in 1142 and home to one of the most important cycles of Romanesque frescoes in South Tyrol, featuring the famous Christ in Majesty within the mandorla. Tours are conducted in Italian and German, with no reservation required. Detailed schedules for the 2026 edition will be published by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Romanesque Days in Grissian 2026
- Cycle of Romanesque frescoes (c. 1210-1220) at St. Jakob in Grissian, among the most important in South Tyrol
- Free guided tours in Italian and German, no reservation required
- Sessions dedicated to children with quizzes and small prizes
Prices Romanesque Days in Grissian 2026
Practical information — Romanesque Days in Grissian
How to get there
Grissian is a hamlet in the municipality of Tesimo/Tisens, in the Merano region, about 15 km from Merano and 25 km from Bolzano. By car: from the Adige Valley, drive up towards Tesimo-Prissiano; the Church of St. Jakob can then be reached on foot along short scenic paths (follow signs for St. Jakob). By train: Merano or Bolzano station, with bus connections to Tesimo.
Tours and Costs
During the Romanesque Days, entry to the church and guided tours are free and do not require reservation. Tours are held in Italian and German, with sessions also dedicated to children. The church remains open to visitors throughout the day. For specific times: Tesimo-Prissiano Tourist Association, tel. +39 0473 920822, [email protected].
Tips
The church stands in an isolated position on a ridge: wear comfortable shoes for the short walks on the trail. October is the season of chestnuts and 'Törggelen', making it ideal to combine the visit with a food and wine stop at the farmsteads of Tesimo-Prissiano.
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Where does it take place — Romanesque Days in Grissian
Chiesa di San Giacomo a Grissiano (St. Jakob Kirche in Grissian)
Grissianer Straße 21, Grissiano, 39010 Tesimo/Tisens