Pians

Pians combines an impressive local history with trails, chapels and a landscape that stretches from the small center on the Sanna to the slopes of the Parseierspitze. Anyone looking for a place with cultural discoveries and a variety of ideas for walks during their holiday will find several starting points here for planning their own trip. The old bridge over the Sanna is just as much part of the described townscape as the municipality’s territory extending to the Parseierspitze, the highest peak in the Lechtal Alps.

Discover chapels and sacred buildings

One of the defining sights is St. Margaret’s Chapel. It dates from the 14th century or, at the latest, the early 15th century and is a Gothic chapel. Particularly striking are the almost completely preserved northern entrance and the pointed-arch portal on the western side. The chapel is also known for its beautiful frescoes. The walk there is considered a more leisurely and less strenuous option.

In the center of Pians stands the Roman Catholic parish church, dedicated to St. Anthony. Other sacred sites complete the picture: The open-air Sacred Heart Chapel was built in 1996 by the Pianner riflemen on the planted-over tunnel tube of the expressway. It commemorates the Sacred Heart vow of 1796 during the War of the Second Coalition against France. Its altar niche contains a Sacred Heart relief. The Chapel of St. Joseph by the wayside houses a 19th-century carved figure of St. Joseph with the Child.

Smaller chapels also tell stories of the history of the village and its surroundings. According to a chronicle by Roman Stanger, the Quadratscher Kappali was built in 1820. The Gondakappali was enlarged in 1871 and renovated in 2003/04 by the Burschenbund Pians. Anyone interested in architectural styles, religious traditions and local places of remembrance can view these stops as thematic focal points for discovering the village, without limiting their stay to a single attraction.

Trails through the landscape and its memories

In Quadratsch, the Untere Kappali marks the beginning of the trail through the gorge. In the dialect, the word “Tobel” means gorge. The trail also has historical significance: In the past, the deceased were taken on foot to Grins because Quadratsch had no cemetery and was under the parish of Grins. This story gives the trail a special local perspective. It makes it understandable that a walk through the landscape can also be connected with the village’s past.

Pians therefore offers various focal points for planning a trip. A more leisurely walk to St. Margaret’s Chapel appeals to different interests than exploring the historic trail through the gorge. Those who prefer to learn about local history through personal memories can engage with the Pians contemporary witness project. It comprises interviews with nine contemporary witnesses about past events, traditions and everyday life in Pians. This approach can be especially interesting for families, as history is conveyed here not only through buildings but also through personal accounts.

Pians as a starting point for planning your holiday

At the Pians exit, you reach the Paznaun Valley Road, the B 188, which leads into the Paznaun Valley. This connection is a useful point of orientation when choosing a holiday destination. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Pians, you can first consider which combination of chapels, local history, walks and the surrounding landscape you prefer. The available facts provide several specific themes for this, without prescribing a fixed itinerary.

For your further search in the region, you can also explore the places Fendels, Pettneu Am Arlberg, Serfaus, Ischgl, Ried Im Oberinntal, Sankt Anton Am Arlberg, Schönwies and Sankt Jakob Am Arlberg. This keeps Pians as the starting point for making your own choice between discovering the local culture, taking a quieter walk and visiting other destinations in the region.

For the higher-level travel overview: Landeck.