Up Close and Personal with Saint Proculus
An Interview with the Koch Family
Up Close and Personal with Saint Proculus

An Interview with Maria and Heinrich Koch

The Good Spirits of St. Proculus

THIS PERHAPS BEST DESCRIBES THE 35-YEAR RELATIONSHIP MARIA AND HEINRICH KOCH HAVE HAD WITH THE CENTURIES-OLD CHURCH OF ST. PROCULUS. AFTER ALL THESE YEARS, IT WAS THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC THAT EVENTUALLY CLOSED THIS LONG CHAPTER IN THEIR LIVES, DURING WHICH THEY LED VISITORS ON COUNTLESS TOURS. WE MET UP WITH THE COUPLE AGAIN AND SPOKE ABOUT THE FRESCOES IN THE CHURCH, WHICH REMAIN A SOURCE OF FASCINATION FOR THEM. WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHAT MAKES ST. PROCULUS SO SPECIAL AND WHY SOME VISITORS ONCE CAME BEARING ARMS.

Your involvement with St. Proculus has lasted 35 years. What do you still find fascinating about it?
M: It’s how the church affects me. I’ve looked after it for 35 years, and when I conduct guided tours there I still find the frescoes as fascinating as I did on the very first day. It's amazing how much is concentrated in such a small space, with so much detail and hidden beauty.
H: What fascinates me is the realisation that, despite all the scientific knowledge that man has developed, we still know nothing. The Carolingian frescoes can be interpreted in so many ways, and the important questions of life are still open. Since so little is really known and we’re mostly left to speculate. Our explanations of various aspects of the church could only be based on the different theories that have been put forward. What these painters tried to pass on to us 1,300 years ago, we’ll never know – simply because we weren’t there. The frescoes depict subjects important to the Carolingians … things that had meaning for them. By contrast, frescoes by Gothic painters are more overtly dogmatic.

Is there a particular painting or fresco in the church that stands out for you?
M: The one depiction that still fascinates me to this day is image of the angels adoring the chancel arch with open hands. I especially like the gesture of the hands, as if to ward off evil. And if you look closer, they are the only figures in the church represented with ears! Perhaps it has to do with their proximity to the altar, so they can hear the Word of God.
H: That fact that there are certain depictions that are only found in St. Proculus is also exciting, such as the disproportionately large hands or the Gothic portrayal of the Magi. They were initially portrayed as children, then as adults and finally as old men. What does all this symbolise? Perhaps that Man is on a lifelong quest. What a unique depiction!

After more than 35 years working there, have you seen any change in the type of visitors who come to the church?
H: The type of people who come to visit St. Proculus Church have always been varied, and include regular tourists, school groups and academics. It's a bit of everything. The biggest change in recent years is that cultural tourism has increased a lot. Most of those who came to South Tyrol 35 years ago did so to go hiking and to enjoy the wine. That was about all. That’s changed a lot in recent years.

The frescoes in the St. Proculus Church are 1,300 years old.
What in your opinion is its main attraction, and what is it about this inconspicuous little church that makes it so interesting to visitors?
H: St. Proculus is more than a cultural attraction or just another church. It’s an energy spot! Such places have attracted visitors for centuries, and people always leave something of themselves behind. It’s also true that St. Proculus has been a source of fascination for esoteric visitors and energy diviners. Whichever way you look at it, we can all agree on the fact that St. Proculus Church makes people feel at ease. It’s a place where one can recharge one’s batteries. It isn’t unusual to find families with children in St. Proculus’s garden.

We live in turbulent times with various crises going on around the world. What would you say is the role cultural artefacts play in modern society? To provide social cohesion? Remember how the world looked on horrified when the Notre Dame caught fire, or when IS destroyed ancient monuments in Syria and Iraq?
H: Cultural monuments are rallying points for society; places of identification. These days, locals hardly notice them anymore as they are taken for granted. The fact that works of art in many historic buildings resonate with contemporary events somehow surprises people. In St. Proculus, there’s the fresco of Mary fending off the arrows of the Plague with her mantle, which seems so appropriate during the Covid-19 pandemic. I would say that people nowadays are turning back to culture and history. Obviously, I see this as a positive development.

So, these monuments aren’t just lifeless buildings?
M (laughing):
No, they aren’t lifeless. On the contrary, they are very much alive and if you pay attention, you’ll find they have the most fascinating tales to tell.
The church was like a second home for Maria and Heinrich.
The outwardly inconspicuous St. Proculus Church hides early Carolingian art treasures dating from about 1,300 years ago. Apart from their age, their artistic value is equally noteworthy. Frescoes include the renowned “Swinger”, Angels, ornamental Celtic bands, a herd of cattle and the onlookers. Next to these frescoes are gothic paintings.
For those interested in delving further into its history, there’s the Proculus Museum just opposite. Archaeological relics depict human activity in the area of Naturns/Naturno, from late Antiquity to the devastating Typhus Epidemic of the 17th Century.
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🎉 This Sunday it's finally happening: The "Törggelefest" in Naturns is just around the corner! 🎉

Come by and enjoy a wonderful autumn day full of tradition, delicious food, and a great atmosphere – right in the heart of Naturns on the Town Hall Square! 🍂🌰🍷

Look forward to:
✅ Traditional South Tyrolean dishes
✅ Freshly roasted chestnuts
✅ New wine
✅ Live music entertainment for young and old
(Die jungen Psairer & die Vinschger) 🎶

📍 Where? Town Hall Square, Naturns
🕥 When? Sunday, October 12 – starting at 10:30 AM
🎟 Free entry!

‼️ Please note: The event will be cancelled in case of bad weather.

📅 Save the date, bring your friends, and don’t miss out! 🧡

📸: TG Naturns_Fotostudio2000

#naturns #naturno #törggelen #genuss #herbstliebe #herbstzeit #tradition #törggelefest #traditionaldishes #southtyrol #sudtirol #altoadige

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Naturns  I  Naturno

Miar „bedonken“ ins ba dor @residence.hochwart für die Nominierung ba dor Baumpflanzchallenge🌳, inser Bam isch gsetzt, also kregs kuane Marende!😉🥓

Miar nominieren die @gemeinde_naturns , die @erlebnisthermenaturns & @ssvnaturnstennis !😍

Es hobs 48 Stunden Zeit, schuscht freidn mir ins af a Marende!😋

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Naturns  I  Naturno

🎉Diesen Sonntag ist es endlich wieder soweit: Das Törggelefest in Naturns steht vor der Tür!🎉

Kommt vorbei und genießt einen herrlichen Herbsttag voller Tradition, Genuss und guter Stimmung – mitten im Zentrum von Naturns auf dem Rathausplatz!🍂🌰🍷

Freut euch auf:
✅ Traditionelle Südtiroler Gerichte
✅ Frisch gebratene Kastanien
✅ Neuen Wein
✅ Musikalische Unterhaltung für Jung & Alt (Die jungen Psairer & die Vinschger)🎶

📍 Wo? Rathausplatz Naturns
🕥 Wann? Sonntag 12. Oktober, Beginn um 10:30 Uhr
🎟 Eintritt frei!

‼️ Hinweis: Bei Schlechtwetter entfällt die Veranstaltung

Also: Termin vormerken, Freunde einpacken und vorbeikommen!🧡

📸: TG Naturns_Fotostudio2000

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🎉Questa domenica è finalmente arrivato il momento: la Festa del Törggelen a Naturno è alle porte!🎉

Venite a trovarci e godetevi una splendida giornata autunnale all’insegna della tradizione, del gusto e della buona compagnia – nel cuore di Naturno, in Piazza del Municipio! 🍂🌰🍷

Cosa vi aspetta:
✅ Piatti tipici della tradizione altoatesina
✅ Caldarroste appena fatte
✅ Vino nuovo
✅ Intrattenimento musicale per grandi e piccoli
(con Die jungen Psairer & die Vinschger) 🎶

📍 Dove? Piazza del Municipio, Naturno
🕥 Quando? Domenica, 12 ottobre – inizio alle ore 10:30
🎟 Ingresso libero!

‼️ In caso di maltempo, l’evento sarà annullato.

📅 Segnatevi la data, portate gli amici e non mancate! 🧡

📸: TG Naturns_Fotostudio2000

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🌿 "Where Vines Grow and Herbs Heal" – Herb Hike on Sonnenberg mountain of Naturns🍇

Starting today, you can experience the diverse world of herbs along the Via Vinum Venostis up close! 🥰Join us for a special herb hike and discover the healing treasures growing right along the trail – nestled among the sun-drenched slopes of the Naturnser Sonnenberg mountain.
🌟 A special highlight: together, we’ll create a delicious herb-infused salt! 😋

🗓️ Every Tuesday | 🕙 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
📅 Until November 18, 2025
📈 Hike difficulty: moderate
📍 Meeting point: Naturno Tourist Office
🔔 Registration required!

👉 Sign up now and join us – we’re looking forward to seeing you!💚

📸: TG Naturns_HerbMedia

#HerbHike #HealingHerbs #WildHerbs #HerbalExperience #NatureLovers #ForagingFun #EdiblePlants
#BotanicalAdventure #ViaVinumVenostis #SouthTyrolVibes #VinschgauValley #NaturnoNature #WineAndHerbs #VineyardViews #SonnenbergMagic #hikingculture #naturns #naturno #wandernmachtglücklich #kräuterwanderung #kräuterkunde

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Naturns  I  Naturno

La Puglia in Tavola – Kostproben aus Apulien
Entdecke den authentischen Geschmack Süditaliens – mitten in Naturns!

Auf dem Rathausplatz in Naturns laden wir dich ein zur Verkostung und zum Verkauf typischer Spezialitäten direkt aus Apulien:
🌿 Olivenöl | 🍅 Halbgetrocknete Tomaten | Oliven | 🧀 Mozzarella | 🍞 Brot | 🥨 Taralli | 🌱 Artischocken … und vieles mehr!

Termine:
📍 08.10.2025 | 09:00 – 18:00
📍 09.10.2025 | 09:00 – 18:00
📍 10.10.2025 | 09:00 – 15:00

Komm vorbei, koste, genieße und hol dir ein Stück Apulien nach Hause!🥰

📸: TG Naturns_Tanja Gurschler

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La Puglia in Tavola – Assaggi dalla Puglia
Scopri il gusto autentico del Sud Italia – nel cuore di Naturno!

Ti invitiamo in Piazza del Municipio a Naturno per una degustazione e vendita di specialità tipiche direttamente dalla Puglia:
🌿 Olio d’oliva | 🍅 Pomodori semi-secchi | Olive | 🧀 Mozzarella | 🍞 Pane | 🥨 Taralli | 🌱 Carciofi … e molto altro ancora!

Date:
📍 08.10.2025 | 09:00 – 18:00
📍 09.10.2025 | 09:00 – 18:00
📍 10.10.2025 | 09:00 – 15:00

Vieni a trovarci, assaggia, gusta e porta a casa un pezzetto di Puglia! 🥰

📸: TG Naturns_Tanja Gurschler

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