Kaltern Friary

Kaltern Friary is a Franciscan religious community situated in the heart of Kaltern, a town in the South Tyrol region of Italy, also known as Kaltern an der Weinstraße.

History and Establishment

The origins of Kaltern Friary trace back to the mid-17th century. While the first Franciscan friary in the broader area was founded in Bolzano in 1221, the establishment in Kaltern was part of a second wave of Franciscan foundations, influenced by reforms in the 15th century. In 1638, two local brothers, Sigismund and Christoff Greiff, proposed the creation of a friary in Kaltern. Their initiative gained support from the local council and notably from Claudia de' Medici, the Tyrolean regent, who provided the ruined site of "Schloss Rottenburg" for the new foundation. Due to cost considerations, a plan to restore the castle was abandoned, and the ruins were demolished in 1640. Construction of the new friary commenced with a foundation stone laid on March 27, 1640, and the accommodation buildings were erected that same year, with significant labor contributed by the local townsfolk. The friary church was subsequently built between 1642 and 1643 and was initially dedicated to Saint Claudia.

Development and Changes

Over the centuries, the friary church became increasingly recognized for its association with Saint Anthony of Padua, particularly due to a revered image of the saint. This growing devotion led to the church's extension to its current size at the beginning of the 18th century. A significant disruption occurred in 1810 when, under the Kingdom of Italy, the friary was closed and its property auctioned. However, a group of twenty local citizens purchased the friary and, following a change in governance in 1814, returned it to the Franciscans. The friary experienced a period of flourishing throughout the remainder of the 19th century, at one point hosting 23 friars and operating an on-site theology college that accommodated up to seven students. The 20th century saw the friary undergo several renovations. In 1974, the formal patronage of the church was officially transferred from Saint Claudia to Saint Anthony of Padua. Since 1993, Kaltern Friary has also been offering new spiritual experiences through "Project Tau."