Schutzhaus Latzfonser Kreuz

Schutzhaus Latzfonser Kreuz (also known as Latzfonser-Kreuz-Hospiz, Heiligkreuzhütte, or Rifugio Santa Croce di Lazfons) is a mountain refuge and pilgrimage site located at 2,311 metres above sea level in the Sarntal Alps of South Tyrol, Italy. It sits south of the Kassianspitze and east of the Lückl-Scharte, a transition between the Tinnetal and Durnholzer Tal valleys. Just below the refuge lies the Latzfonser Kreuz (2,300 m), a pilgrimage site with a pilgrimage church that houses the 'Schwarzer Herrgott' — a black carved crucifix — during the summer months. The refuge is marketed as Europe's highest pilgrimage destination. The original hospice was built around 1800 to provide simple accommodation for pilgrims, predating the Grünhornhütte (1863), the first refuge built by an alpine club. In 1850, a fire destroyed the hospice, killing one man who may have caused the blaze. Despite efforts by the German and Austrian Alpine Club and the archbishop's vicariate general in Trento to rebuild, financial difficulties left the task to the municipality of Latzfons, which erected a modest hut. This hut served pilgrims and, by the late 19th century, also mountaineers, though the latter complained about sleeping quarters in the attic. In 1890, the Bolzano section of the DuOeAV offered financial help for expansion and later expressed interest in buying the hut, but the municipality refused both offers. After World War I, a new building was considered, and in 1936 timber was carried up. However, World War II halted construction, and by 1940 the neglected house was used by shepherds as a sheep pen. In 1947, the hut was closed due to dilapidation. Father Bartholomäus Terzer, the parish priest of Latzfons, bought the ruin and, with the approval of the Latzfons community, began reconstruction in 1951. With many volunteers, wood and monetary donations, the current Schutzhaus was completed in summer 1952. Since then, it has undergone periodic renovations and extensions. The refuge is accessible from both the Sarntal side (west) and from Latzfons above the Eisacktal (east). The shortest ascent is from the Kasereck parking area (1,959 m) in 1.5 hours. Other eastern routes start from Steineben or Kühhof via the Klausner Hütte and take about 2 hours. From Reinswald in Durnholzer Tal, one can reach Latzfonser Kreuz in 3 hours via the Gertrumalm and Lückl-Scharte. The most popular tour from the refuge is the ascent of the Kassianspitze (2,581 m) in 45 minutes on a marked trail. The Reinswalder Höhenweg leads in 6 hours and 600 m elevation gain over the Kassianspitze, Getrumspitze, Getrumjoch, Plankenhorn, and Sattele. The refuge is also on the Sarntaler Hufeisentour, a 6- to 7-day traverse of the eastern and western ridges of the Sarntal Alps. Neighbouring huts include the Klausner Hütte (1 hour), Flaggerschartenhütte (4–5 hours), Radlseehütte (2.5 hours), and Rittner-Horn-Haus (4.5 hours). The Schutzhaus Latzfonser Kreuz operates seasonally, typically opening in late May and closing in mid-October. Key annual events include the Herzjesu-Sonntag (14 June), the pilgrimage on 20 June when the Schwarzer Herrgott is carried from the village to the church, the St. Magdalena celebration on 19 July, and the Hüttenschlussfeier (closing party) on 18 October. The refuge offers gift vouchers and welcomes pilgrims, hikers, and mountaineers.

The first hut at Latzfonser Kreuz was built around 1800, before the Grünhornhütte (1863), the first refuge built by an alpine club. However, the original hut served pilgrims, not mountaineers. In 1850, this hospice was destroyed by a fire in which one man died, possibly the one who caused the blaze. The German and Austrian Alpine Club and the archbishop's vicariate general in Trento advocated for a rebuild due to the site's popularity, but the plan initially failed due to lack of money, and the task fell back to the municipality of Latzfons. The newly built hut was very modest. The legendary 'Gasser-Moidele' provided for the pilgrims' physical well-being — a kind-hearted woman who could also be resolute if someone neglected church attendance after too much wine. Before the turn of the 20th century, guests included not only pilgrims but also mountaineers, who praised the management but complained about the sleeping quarters in the attic. Therefore, in 1890, the Bolzano section of the German and Austrian Alpine Club (DuOeAV) offered financial help to expand the hut, and later the DuOeAV expressed its intention to buy the hut. The municipality of Latzfons rejected both. After World War I, the people of Latzfons considered a new building, and in 1936 timber was already carried up. The outbreak of World War II prevented construction, and in 1940 the neglected house was used by shepherds as a sheep pen. In 1947, the hut was finally closed due to dilapidation. The then parish priest of Latzfons, Bartholomäus Terzer, decided to buy the hut ruin because the municipal administration was not willing to build a new hut. With the approval of the Latzfons municipal council, reconstruction began in 1951. With many volunteers, wood and monetary donations, the current Schutzhaus was completed in summer 1952. Since then, smaller renovations and extensions have been carried out repeatedly. Further details on the history of the pilgrimage church and the pilgrimage site can be found in the article Latzfonser Kreuz.

• 1952

  The current Schutzhaus was completed and reopened in summer.

• 1951

  Reconstruction began under Father Bartholomäus Terzer.

• 1947

  The hut was closed due to dilapidation.

• 1940

  The neglected house was used by shepherds as a sheep pen.

• 1936

  Timber was carried up for a planned new building.

• 1890

  The Bolzano section of the DuOeAV offered financial help to expand the hut; the municipality of Latzfons refused.

• 1850

  The hospice burned down to its foundations; one man died in the fire.

• 1800

  First hut built at Latzfonser Kreuz as a simple hospice for pilgrims.

Europe's highest pilgrimage destination and a historic mountain refuge in the Sarntal Alps, offering traditional hospitality to pilgrims, hikers, and mountaineers.

• Overnight accommodation

  Simple lodging for pilgrims and hikers.

• Food and drinks

  Traditional mountain hut meals and beverages.

• Gift vouchers

  Customizable gift vouchers offered by the refuge.

1. 1Latzfonser Kreuz - Latzfonserkreuzlatzfonserkreuz.com
2. 2Die Geschichte - Latzfonserkreuzlatzfonserkreuz.com
3. 3Schutzhaus Latzfonser Kreuz - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Schutzhaus Latzfonser Kreuz - Wikipediade.wikipedia.org