St. Martin (Göflan)

Filial church St. Martin in Göflan

The St. Martin branch church with the associated cemetery in Göflan , a fraction of the market town of Schlanders , is one of the oldest Christian places of worship in Vinschgau ( South Tyrol ). The church is dedicated to the Franconian national saint, the Bishop of Tours , and its origins go back well into the first millennium. Formerly an own church of the Lords of Wanga , it included farms in Göflan, on Nördersberg , on Sonnenberg and in the rear Val Senales .

The first documentary mention dates from 1212, when the church was donated to the Teutonic Order . A fragment of the choir screen made of white marble, which was excavated east of the church and now adorns the stairway to the gallery , points to the early Middle Ages .

Building

The oldest components are the bell tower and the north wall of the nave, both of which can be proven with indulgences from 1281, 1295, 1310 and 1311. The existing, late Gothic new building can also be dated to the year 1465 via indulgences. The completion of the 25 meter long and 11 meter wide church building for the year 1474 is documented with a building inscription inside. The polygonal choir ends in a three-eighth note and merges seamlessly with the nave . It is equipped with sloping plinths, corner chains and window frames made of white Göflan marble . The star rib vault above consoles in the interior is also made of white marble. This spans the unitary space without a triumphal arch with a total of four keystones in the form of figures.

An expansion took place in the early 17th century, as reported by an inscription above the west portal;

"LAUS DEO ANNO DOMINI 1632"

At the same time as this construction work, the sacristy was enlarged and a yoke was added.

Interior

St. Martin (left) and St. Walburga (right)

In the chancel there is an extraordinary altar ensemble, which partly dates from the late Gothic period of the late 15th century or the beginning of the 16th century, partly from the early Baroque . In the center is the high altar , which is dedicated to St. Martin. An incised inscription refers to 1476 as the year the present structure was completed. The central shrine, which is integrated into the early baroque column retable from 1635, shows the church patron on a horse, dividing his coat. Behind it you can see two angels holding a veil. The associated altar wings are no longer in place, but decorate the Wolfgang altar on the southern choir wall. They show the only, multi-scene Martin's vita in all of Tyrol . They are attributed to Hans Weiss from Swabia , who had his workshop in Meran .

The consecration of the Wolfgang altar is documented on October 28, 1479. In the three-figure central shrine is the titular saint, flanked by Saints Ursula and John the Baptist . On the two wings that are no longer in existence, Johannes or Wolfgang may once have been depicted.

A third altar is located opposite the Wolfgang altar, the Walburga altar by Jörg Lederer . It comes from the neighboring Walburgis Church and sits above a baroque cafeteria . This altar with the central shrine, the shrine figures, a crucifixion group and the lower wing halves is only partially available. The outer sides of the wings show the Lord's Passion (flagellation, nailing, crowning of thorns and carrying the cross), while the inner sides are dedicated to the life of Mary. These refer to the Maria with the child, who is centrally positioned in the shrine and who are flanked by Saint Walburga and Saint Elisabeth of Thuringia . The predella is unfortunately missing. The construction of the retable can be dated to 1517. The stone cast Vesper picture on the Walburga altar dates from the 15th century.

A fourth retable, only preserved in fragments, consists of a wing relief with a Christmas scene, which usually hangs on the north wall of the nave. At Christmas time it is removed and placed on the high altar.

A crucifixion group that dates back to the 14th century has been preserved from the previous church.

annotation

The church is locked and only accessible during church services or on request from the Silandro tourist office.

literature

• Market community and education committee Schlanders (Hrsg.): Baukultur in the community Schlanders . Verlag Passeier 2011, ISBN 978-88-89474-20-4

Coordinates: 46 ° 37 ′ 10 ″  N , 10 ° 45 ′ 51.1 ″  E