Holy Spirit church, Gothic church in Untermais, Merano, Italy
The Holy Spirit church is a church building in Untermais featuring typical Gothic elements such as pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and colored glass windows. The stone walls and carefully crafted details showcase the characteristic construction methods of that era.
Count Meinhard II of Tyrol-Görz founded a hospital and its church here in 1271, outside Meran's walls on the Bolzano road. The first church was destroyed by the 1419 flood after the Kummer Lake outburst. Duke Sigmund had the present church built; it was consecrated in 1483, with Hans Stettheimer of Burghausen as architect. The hospital closed in 1905 and was demolished in 1939.
The church reflects the architectural traditions of South Tyrol and shows how Gothic forms were adapted in this region. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship details that were typical of local medieval building practices.
The church stands in Untermais beside the Passer at the start of Romstraße, south of the old town and outside the former walls. The main portal is a twin doorway on the facade, not a west-facade entrance, and the sources mention no information panels. Look for the 1495 rose window above it and the crucifixion fresco of about 1450 on the south outer wall.
The building long served as a chapel for an adjacent hospital, reflecting the close connection between healing and faith in the past. This dual purpose is still visible today in the layout and structure of the complex.
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