St. Lorenzen: On the trail of the Romans
Who is on the way in St. Lorenzen, will come across excavations stemming from historical sites, testimony of the long history of this location in the heart of Pustertal. One upon a time an important street station and settlement of the Romans was built just here: “Sebatum”. Over the centuries the village has developed into a pretty market commune.
Geographically speaking St. Lorenzen near Bruneck is still today an important junction point, after all the Pustertal opens here a branch to the Gadertal and the river Gader enters the river Rienz. This might have been a reason that the area has been populated very early on, first by Celts, then by Romans. Today the commune comprises over a dozen districts and Weiler (=hamlets), scattered among mountains and valleys, meadows and forests. For those interested in history and culture an abundance of landmarks is waiting to be discovered: the excavations of the Roman settlement Sebatum in the district of Heilig-Kreuz, the Roman mile stone on the main street, the archeological panorama route and the Museum Mansio Sebatum, which is the first exhibition region wide dedicated entirely to the Romans and its importance for the area.
Between churches and castles
Worth a visit is also the impressive Sonnenburg towering over the village, once a castle, then a monastery and eventually a hotel. Equally interesting proves to be the castle Michelsburg or the parish church in the village center. The church is one of the oldest in the Dolomites. Pilgrims find in Maria Saalen the famous Black Maria and a popular destination for people from all over the region. Wintersport fans find the ski resort Kronplatz easily reachable from the hotels in St. Lorenzen; the surroundings offer a range of activities such as sleigh riding, hiking, biking and swimming. Find here the most beautiful hotels in St. Lorenzen in the South Tyrolean Holiday Region Kronplatz.