The Church of San Giovanni (St. John) in Val Di Funes: Guide to the Most Iconic Church in the Dolomites

The photogenic church in the Dolomites

In the middle of the dramatic mountain scenery of Val di Funes (or Villnöß in German) stands the Church of San Giovanni – a small church with a truly magnificent view.

You might also hear it referred to as the Church of St. John, Chiesetta di San Giovanni or Kapelle St. Johann.

We’ll stick to the Church of San Giovanni, but it’s good to know they’re all names for the same place.

If you’re heading to the Dolomites, chances are you’ll spot the church’s name and photos more than once.

Set amid lush green meadows with jagged peaks towering behind, it’s become a classic photo spot in the region.

While the church itself is modest and simple (and not that interesting, to be honest), the picture-perfect location means it features in many travellers’ camera albums.

Naturally, we had to see it for ourselves and snap a few shots.

In this guide, we’ll share the best way to visit the Church of San Giovanni – including practical details on parking, opening hours and admission, the best viewpoints for photos, when to visit, nearby places to stay, and our best tips to make the most of your trip.

Where to stay near the Church of San Giovanni

Adlinks
• Luxury: Forestis Dolomites – One of the most exclusive hotels in the Dolomites, set in Bressanone just a short drive from the church.
• Value for money: Linder Cycling Hotel – Modern, stylish rooms, spa with pool and excellent reviews in the middle of Selva.
• Budget: Garni Sunela B&B – On the pricier end of budget stays, but with top reviews and a fantastic location in Selva.

Search for the best hotels in Chiusa (Klausen) or Bressanone (Brixen). You can also read our comprehensive guide to where to stay in the Dolomites.

What is the Church of San Giovanni?

The Church of San Giovanni – also known as Church of St. John, Chiesetta di San Giovanni in Ranui or Kapelle St. Johann – is a small baroque chapel in Val di Funes.

Built in 1744 and dedicated to John of Nepomuk, the church has a bell tower topped with a copper-clad onion dome and a colourful façade decorated with frescoes.

While it’s neither especially large nor architecturally unique, the chapel is incredibly photogenic. It’s set in open green meadows with the dramatic Odle mountains rising behind it.

Thanks to its spectacular setting, the church has become one of the most photographed spots in the Dolomites.

You’ve probably already come across it in brochures, on Instagram, or somewhere else online.

Map of the Church of San Giovanni

The church of San Giovanni is located in the tiny town of Ranui just outside the village of Santa Maddalena (St. Magdalena).

You’ll find it in Val di Funes (Villnöß in German), which is a narrow valley in the northern Dolomites in South Tyrol in Italy, (close to the border with Austria).

The church sits at the foot of the Odle massif (north of Seceda), and it’s the dramatic mountain peaks that create the perfect backdrop for the iconic view of the church.

On Google Maps, it appears under its Italian name: Chiesa di San Giovanni in Ranui.

Why visit the Church of San Giovanni

The Church of San Giovanni is small and perhaps nothing remarkable on its own, but the location really makes it stand out. Especially if you’re after great photo spots in the Dolomites.

With the wild peaks in the background and the green meadow in front, it’s the kind of scene that sums up the Dolomites perfectly.

If you’re in the area, it’s an easy place to stop by.

You can combine the visit with a trip to Seceda with the cable car or an outing to Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm – both are around a 40-45 minute drive away.

There are also several hiking trails starting nearby, so it’s easy to turn your visit into a short walk or a longer trek.

Viewpoints

About 100 metres (~ 328 feet) from the car park, there’s a clearly marked photo spot called Belvedere della chiesa di San Giovanni/Viewpoint of St. John Church on Google Maps.

From here, you get the classic shot of the free-standing church with the striking Odle mountains in the background.

The area is fenced off to protect the landscape from wear and tear caused by the many visitors who come for that exact photo.

If you want to capture the familiar perspective where the mountains look especially dramatic behind the small church, it’s worth bringing a zoom lens.

You can see the difference between a “regular” photo and one taken with a zoom lens just above.

View from above

We also headed a bit further up Via Zanser/Zanser Straße to see the church from a slightly higher angle.

The viewpoint is at the first bend, just a few minutes’ walk up the road.

From here, you get a nice perspective, but there’s a lot of foreground in the frame if you’re shooting without a zoom lens. A zoom really helps bring the church and the mountains closer together in the shot, creating a much more balanced image.

You can also walk or drive a bit further up to this viewpoint if you want to see the church from a different angle, with more of the surrounding landscape in view.

It’s a good spot for getting a feel for the area, but the church tends to get a bit lost in the open landscape, so a zoom lens is pretty much essential if you’re hoping to get a decent photo.

That said, we don’t think it’s the best photo spot. The mountains end up way off to the left of the frame, rather than forming the backdrop that makes the classic view so impressive.

Getting close to the church

To get closer to the church, you need to pay 5 euros (~ 5.8 USD)* in cash at an access machine.

From what we understand, it isn’t possible to go inside the church itself, which, in our opinion, makes the price feel a bit steep for what you actually get.

We didn’t pay to enter, and many reviews suggest it’s not really worth the money.

Some visitors have also reported issues with the access gate (a turnstile that only lets one person through at a time), where the machine takes the money but doesn’t grant entry.

With no staff around to help, this can be frustrating.

*The price is from 2025.

Respect the restrictions and protect nature

Although the Church of San Giovanni is a popular tourist spot in the Dolomites, it actually sits on private farmland.

The large number of visitors has led to several rules – for example, flying drones and walking on the grass are not allowed.

The meadow is protected by a high fence for this reason.

Please be careful to avoid stepping on vegetation or ignoring any signs. Unfortunately, some visitors don’t respect these rules, which harms the local plant life.

How to get to the Church of San Giovanni

By car

The Church of San Giovanni in Val di Funes can be reached from several of the nearby towns:

• Chiusa (Klausen): 20-25 minutes.
• Bressanone (Brixen): 25-30 minutes.
• Ortisei (St. Ulrich): 40-45 minutes (the town with the cable car to Seceda).
• Castelrotto (Kastelruth): 40-45 minutter.
• Siusi allo Sciliar (Seis am Schlern): 40-45 minutes (the town with the cable car to Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm).
• Bolzano (Bozen): 50 minutes.

Parking at the Church of San Giovanni

There’s a small car park close to the Church of San Giovanni. Although spaces are limited, it’s usually possible to find a spot since visitors don’t tend to stay long.

From the car park, it’s less than 500 metres to the church (~ 1,640 feet) along an easy path that offers plenty of photo opportunities.

Parking costs 4 euros per day (~ 4.6 USD)* between 7:00 and 19:00, and you can pay by card or cash.

Outside these hours, from 21:00 to 7:00 in the morning, the fee rises sharply to 40 euros (~ 46 USD)*.

Please note, it’s not allowed to drive all the way to the church to stop there – the final stretch must be done on foot.

Alternatively, you can continue past San Giovanni and park at the small parking lot by Restaurant Waldschenke (open seasonally). The parking fee there is the same.

*The prices are from 2025.

Our experience at the Church of San Giovanni

We visited the Church of San Giovanni in Val di Funes during an autumn/winter trip to the Dolomites, staying nearby so we could also explore Lago di Braies and Alpe di Siusi.

One afternoon at the end of October, we drove over, parked and followed the road down towards the classic viewpoint.

Although the church itself is small and not particularly exciting, we were completely taken in by the mountain backdrop and the iconic view we’d been looking forward to seeing with our own eyes.

We walked closer and stopped for lots of photos along the way.

At the church, we decided not to pay to get closer to it, and instead walked up Via Zanser/Zanser Straße (the road by the car park) to see it from a slightly higher angle.

At the first bend, we found a great viewpoint with a clear view of the church – and we were glad to have our zoom lens so the church didn’t get lost in the vast landscape.

We spent at most an hour around the church, though you could easily make it a quicker stop if you just want to see it and snap a few photos.

All in all, it was a lovely experience we’d definitely recommend – especially if you’re in the area anyway.

There’s not much else right by the church, apart from a few walking routes (which are well worth doing if you’ve got the time and energy).

Practical information about the Church of San Giovanni

Opening hours

You can see the Church of San Giovanni in Val di Funes at any time of day – though it’s certainly at its most beautiful in daylight.

The church itself is usually closed, and as far as we know, it isn’t open to visitors.

That said, you can get closer to it by paying an entrance fee at a machine on site.

There’s no staff around, so we’re not sure if it works 24/7 – but we’d assume it does.

Price

It’s free to walk around the area, view the Church of San Giovanni from different vantage points and take photos.

Parking, however, costs 4 euros (~ 4.6 USD)* for the whole day, no matter how long you stay.

If you want to get up close to the church, there’s an additional fee of 5 euros (~ 5.8 USD)*, which must be paid in cash.

*Prices are from 2025.

How long to spend at the Church of San Giovanni

For those wanting just the classic photo of the Church of San Giovanni with the Odle mountains behind it, 15 to 30 minutes usually suffices.

To take in views from several angles (such as by walking up Via Zanser/Zanser Straße) and snapping pictures along the way, plan on about an hour.

Visitors combining the trip with a hike in the area can easily spend half a day or more exploring.

When to visit the Church of San Giovanni

Unlike many other Dolomite experiences where cable car times and mountain weather play a big role, the Church of San Giovanni in Val di Funes is almost always accessible.

As long as the roads are clear and passable, you can visit without much trouble.

The key to a great photo is good weather with clear skies, so the mountain peaks aren’t hidden by clouds.

Tip: Take a look at the live webcams from Seceda before heading to the church. If the weather looks clear there, there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy the same stunning mountain views from below.

Time of day

Sunrise, late afternoon and around sunset offer the most beautiful light on the church and the surrounding landscape.

That said, the view is lovely at any time of day!

Visitor numbers tend to peak from midday until sunset, so you might find yourself sharing the viewpoint with other photographers and tourists during those hours.

Luckily, a tall fence surrounds the meadow in front of the church, preventing people from walking in front of the shot.

This means you can almost always capture a photo without anyone in the foreground, no matter how busy it is.

Note: The sun rises later and sets earlier than official times suggest, as the high mountains block the light.

Seasons

Spring is beautiful when the meadows begin to bloom and the mountain tops remain capped with snow. Visitor numbers tend to be low in the Dolomites at this time, making for a peaceful and quiet experience.

Summer (especially July and August) is when the Dolomites are at their busiest, and the area around the Church of San Giovanni is no exception. The weather is usually sunny, with lush green grass and trees.

Autumn often brings fewer visitors and a quieter atmosphere. The trees behind the church turn lovely shades of gold, and snow may start to settle on the mountain peaks, while the valley still retains its greenery.

In winter, the area is covered in snow, and several hiking trails may be closed. It’s wise to check locally whether the road to the church is passable – it usually is, as it’s well maintained. The church, surrounded by snowy mountains and meadows, looks stunning, though it can be very cold.

Where to stay near the Church of San Giovanni

You can of course choose to spend the night in St. Maddalena right by the church, but the village is very small.

If you want to explore more viewpoints and hikes in the Dolomites, it’s not the most obvious base.

Chiusa or Bressanone

We’ve stayed in both Chiusa (Klausen) and Bressanone (Brixen) (adlinks), which are about a 20 to 30-minute drive from the Church of San Giovanni.

Both towns offer a wider selection of hotels and restaurants, plus easy access to many different experiences in the Dolomites.

Val Gardena

The towns of Ortisei, Santa Cristina and Selva di Val Gardena (adlinks) are located in the beautiful Val Gardena (Gröden) valley.

From here, you can visit the Church of San Giovanni and easily reach Seceda and Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm.

Ortisei (St. Ulrich) is the closest, with roughly 40 to 45 minutes from the church, but all three towns offer good accommodation options.

Castelrotto or Siusi allo Sciliar

Castelrotto (Kastelruth) and Siusi allo Sciliar (Seis am Schlern) (adlinks) are about a 40 to 45-minute drive from the Church of San Giovanni.

Both make good bases if you want to combine your visit with other nature experiences.

These towns offer great options for exploring the area, with Seis am Schlern especially convenient if you plan to take the cable car up to Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm.

Bolzano

For those who prefer a larger city with more shops, restaurants, and good connections to the wider region, Bolzano (Bozen) (adlink) is worth considering.

It’s roughly a 50-minute drive from the Church of San Giovanni.

You can also check out our comprehensive guide to where to stay in the Dolomites for more inspiration.

Our best tips for the Church of San Giovanni

• Respect the restrictions around the church to protect the delicate plant life. Stepping on the vegetation damages it, so please stay on designated paths.
• Come early or late in the day for a quieter experience and the best light for photos.
• The sun rises later and sets earlier than official times suggest because the high mountains block the light.
• Bring a good camera! The Church of San Giovanni is incredibly photogenic. Here is a guide to the gear we use.
• Use a zoom lens to capture the church and mountains closer together from different viewpoints, reducing unwanted foreground.
• Check the weather forecast before your visit, as mountain weather can change quickly and be very unreliable. Clear skies make the best photos with the mountains in the background.
• Dress in layers to handle changing temperatures if you plan to spend a long time outdoors.
• Wear comfortable shoes like sneakers or hiking boots for easy walking.
• Remember sunscreen and sun protection if you visit in summer.
• Bring cash if you want to pay to get closer to the church.
• Combine your visit with other local experiences. Since seeing the church doesn’t take long, you can spend the rest of the day hiking or visiting Seceda or Alpe di Siusi/Seiser Alm, which is 40-45 minutes away by car.

Sustainable travel tips

To travel as sustainably as possible, we recommend the following:

• Bring your own drinking water in a refillable bottle.
• Avoid disposable plastics.
• Dispose of waste properly and don’t leave anything behind.
• Take only photos and leave only footprints. Avoid picking flowers or taking anything from nature with you.
• Stick to the marked trails and avoid walking on the vegetation.
• Show consideration towards other visitors.
• Respect the local wildlife.
• Leave the drone at home. Flying is not permitted.

Thank you for reading along

Thank you for reading our travel guide to the Church of San Giovanni. We hope you found it helpful!

What do you think of this photogenic church in the Dolomites? Would you say it’s worth the visit?

If you’ve already been, we’d love to hear your best tips and experiences.

And if you haven’t been yet, feel free to ask us any questions in the comments. We’re happy to help!