Senale/Unsere liebe Frau im Walde pilgrimage resort

In 1184 the monastery of the „Hospitalier“ or Hospitaller brotherhood were first mentioned in a Latin document. The friars had the important task to take in travelers coming over Passo delle Palade/Gampenpass and to accompany them during part of their journey, in adverse conditions.

In 1224, the monastery was converted to an Augustinian Monastery, and in 1210 and 1432, church consecrations took place. The square tower helmet dates back to Roman times. In the 15th century, the church was rebuilt in Gothic style. Especially worth seeing are the carved Baroque altars and the picture of grace, Mary with Child.
After 1807 the place of pilgrimage fell under the responsibilities of the Benedictine order. Today, the sanctuary belongs to the Benedictine Abbey of Muri-Gries near Bolzano/Bozen.

This place of pilgrimage is still shrouded in legend and is counted among the oldest places of pilgrimage in Tyrol and Triveneto. The first legend says that the image of the holy mother (“Miraculous Madonna” of the Hospitaller order appeared here and charged the Hospitaller to build a church not on a hill, as was the custom of the time, but in the swamp.

In another version the Holy Mother of God appeared before a hunter of the Count of Thun during a hunt in the woods of Senale. Still another version of the legend says that a poor traveler was robbed in the forest below the Passo delle Palade and called out the Virgin’s name whereupon she revealed herself to him and came to his aid.

The route leading to Passo delle Palade/Gampenpass from the place of pilgrimage Senale/Unsere liebe Frau im Walde to the forest is now a popular footpath which takes about 50 minutes. The itinerary follows the old Jochweg path.
Along the way, the traveler passes the old customs house. After fossils of 235 million-year old dinosaurs were found here, a nature trail was established, making it easy for the visitor to delve into the place's history with well-illustrated information boards.