Not far from the eastern entrance to the village of Naturns, nestled among the apple orchards that dominate the valley floor, one can see the small c
hurch of St. Proculus.
From the outside, the little church gives no hint of the artistic treasure hidden within. Visitors are greeted by a unique
cycle of frescoes that, after their uncovering in 1923, was already considered a sensational discovery among experts. Angels and saints, the now-famous “swinger,” and even a herd of cattle emerged: the depictions are among the earliest examples of pre-Romanesque wall painting in the Alpine region. Who painted the frescoes and what some of the images and symbols mean still remains a mystery. Since no comparable fresco cycle has been found to this day, establishing its chronological and artistic classification remains a challenge. Scholars’ various dating theories range from the 8th to the 10th century. What is undisputed, however, is that the paintings on the triumphal arch wall and the soffit of the chancel arch are considerably older than the frescoes in the nave.
The
Proculus Museum opposite the church is not immediately recognizable as a museum, as it is built entirely underground and only the entrance portal is visible from the outside. The museum route leads through four spatial and temporal stations: Late Antiquity, the Early Middle Ages, the Late Middle Ages, and the Thirty Years’ War with the devastating epidemic of typhus. Among other things, the museum houses the removed Gothic frescoes as well as many finds from the Church of St. Proculus.
On the following pages you will find a brief insight into the history of this remarkable church, interesting information about the discoveries and frescoes, and of course important details such as opening hours and contact information for the Proculus ensemble – church and museum: