St. Nikolaus in Rojen

St. Nikolaus is a Gothic chapel at 2000 meters elevation with two distinct building sections: a white-washed brick nave and a square extension topped with a tent roof. The interior displays painted vaults and simple wooden benches that give the space a humble yet dignified character.

The chapel dates from the Middle Ages and was altered in the 15th century during a plague outbreak, when interior walls were coated with lime. This protective measure concealed the frescoes for centuries until they were uncovered in recent times.

The frescoes in the vault depict Christ's birth and the four evangelists with their symbols, created by the Merano School. These images tell religious stories that come alive for visitors today as light filters through the windows.

The chapel key is kept at the Rojen/Bergkristall inn, where visitors can pick it up with a deposit. The building operates on a trust system with voluntary donations for entry.

The bell tower contains openings for a bell dating from 1470, one of the oldest still-functioning bells in the Vinschgau Valley. This rarely preserved bell has witnessed centuries of services and mountain gatherings.