The Totenkirchl church is located at 2186 metres above sea level on the Villanders/Villandro Alpine pasture, one of the largest Alpine pastures in Europe. A pilgrimage destination, it is reached via a hike on the Villanders/Villandro Alp marked by the Stations of the Cross. Today's building was constructed in 1899. It was last restored in 1981 by the Schützen of Villanders/Villandro. What strikes the eye on the inside is the larger-than-life crucifixion group.
A 10-minute walk from the little church is the beautiful Lake Totensee. The macabre name takes its origin from a term of agricultural derivation, 'tot', ('dead', in fact), which in reality was simply understood as 'unproductive'.
How do you get to the Totenkirchl church and the Totensee Lake?
The starting point for this hike is the Gasser Hut on the Villanders Alp. From here, follow trail no. 6 signposted Totenkirchl Church, which leads to the Mair in Plum Hut and the Pfroder Alp. The path then continues on a slight incline to the Totenkirchl Church, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the entire Villanders meadow, the Dolomites and the Sarntal valley. From the little church it takes about 10 minutes to reach the Totensee lake. The hike continues along trail no. 16 to the Prackfiederer Jöchl and the Stöfflhütte hut. Finally, follow trail no. 15 past the Marzuner Schupfe hut and the Mair in Plun hut to the starting point.
