St.Nicholas Church

St. Nicholas Church, also known as the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, is a magnificent Gothic hall church located in the heart of Merano, South Tyrol. This historic site is dedicated to the patron saint of merchants, entrepreneurs, and carters, and serves not only as a place of worship but also as a testament to centuries of architectural and artistic heritage. To help you plan your visit and make the most of this iconic landmark, here is a comprehensive guide.

Architectural and Artistic Highlights

Gothic Grandeur

Construction of St. Nicholas Church began in 1302 and continued until the mid-15th century. The church features a richly decorated south facade, which faces the main market square. This facade is adorned with Gothic portals, a 14th-century statue of Saint Nicholas, and an impressive late 15th-century fresco of Saint Christopher.

Interior Masterpieces

Inside, the church boasts a ceiling fresco of the Trinity by Antonio Balestra, dating back to 1750. Above the Trinity, angels are depicted amidst clouds, with a priest wearing a stole, possibly the painting’s patron, to the left. In the right nave, visitors will find a canvas representing the Madonna Immacolata surrounded by Saints John the Evangelist, Margaret, Roch, and Sebastian, a masterpiece of the 17th-century Venetian school.

The Baptistery: A Wooden Marvel

The Baptistery, a remarkable wooden structure crafted in the early 19th century, features herringbone inlays made of woods of various shades, interspersed with laurel leaves on the dome. At the top, an ancient wooden statue of Saint John the Baptist from the 15th to 16th century is prominently displayed. The six rectangular panels adorned with flowers and brass stems reflect the Venetian artistic tradition of the 17th century.

Chapel of the Crucifix: A Hidden Gem

Built in 1939, the Chapel of the Crucifix houses an 18th-century altar with a contemporary marble crucifix. The walls feature remnants of a frieze depicting Sibyls and Prophets, accompanied by floral decorations and winged cherubs, created by Antonio Zago in the late 15th century.

How to Get There

Merano is easily accessible by car from various directions:

• From the North: Via the A22 Brenner Freeway through Munich, Rosenheim, Kufstein, and Innsbruck.
• From the West: Via the State Roads 40 and 38 through Ulm, Kempten, Füssen, and the Fernpass.
• From the East: Via the A22 Brenner Freeway through Lienz and Val Pusteria.

Parking is available near the church, and the site is within walking distance from the city center.

Things Not to Miss

• The Main Altar: Featuring works by Martin Knoller, Christoph Helfenrieder, and Martin Knoller.
• Side Altars: The Last Supper and Adoration of the Child from 1793, and winged altars from 1500.
• The Bell Tower: An 83-meter high structure with various architectural styles from different centuries.
• Late Gothic Stained Glass Windows: Dating from the late 15th century.

Nearby Attractions

St. Nicholas Church is located close to the Passeggiate along the Passirio River and the Tappeiner Walk, offering beautiful views and a pleasant stroll through Merano’s historic and natural scenery.

Opening Hours: Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Ticket Prices: Entry to the church is free. Donations are welcome to support the maintenance and preservation of this historic site.

What we propose

Emma Heidi

Customer Experience Manager

Take all the stress out of planning your trip!

With our experts, you can create the perfect itinerary for you – complete, comfortable, and tailored to all your dreams, wishes, and needs.

We take care of every little detail, so you can simply focus on enjoying your journey.

We’ve been designing personalized itineraries since 2015, and over the years we’ve created thousands of custom itineraries for happy clients.

Discover our clients’ experiences here

 Save time, avoid confusion – we do the work for you. Our service saves you weeks of searching, reading, comparing, and complicated planning. Instead of wasting endless hours – you receive a ready-to-use, accurate and clear itinerary.

 A tailor-made itinerary – built just for you. Your itinerary is personally designed based on our experts’ real field experience and genuine feedback from hundreds of travelers – including hidden discoveries and insider tips that don’t appear in any travel guide.

 Smart accommodation selection – often saves you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. We help you choose verified and recommended places to stay, checking availability for your exact travel dates. Sometimes we suggest hotels not “in the center,” but in safe, convenient, and highly strategic locations – which can significantly reduce travel costs and save you even thousands of dollars.

 We’re by your side even during the trip. We stay with you throughout your vacation – providing professional help whenever needed. If the weather changes, there’s a strike, a local event, heavy crowds, or any unexpected situation – we are here to update, guide, and adjust your itinerary in real time.

 Easy-to-use itinerary – with direct navigation links. Your itinerary includes direct Waze / Google Maps links – no need to search for parking addresses, no stress, no mistakes. Just tap – and go.

Service cost: from only $420. (Special price for short itineraries up to 5 days). Clients tell us the itinerary saves them costly mistakes, fines, wrong choices – plus exclusive discounts on car rentals, better-priced accommodations, and money-saving local tips.

Want to know if it’s really worth it?

Take a look at the experiences of travelers who built their personal itinerary with us.

Click here and let’s start building the itinerary that will save you time, money, and stress – and turn your vacation into perfection.

Of course, your first inquiry is completely free – with no commitment whatsoever.

Contact us via email

Chat with us on WhatsApp
Callback from the expert

How it works

• You are welcome
to contact us
• We discuss
your trip
• You fill out a special form
• We create
your itinerary
• You get it with all useful tips
• We are in touch with
you all the time