Pilgrimage chapel of Vens (Venser Bild)

In the hamlet of Vens, on the slope above Vandans beside the Ladritscherbach stream, stands one of the loveliest chapels in the Montafon. In 1613 the plague raged in the village – 180 people are said to have died within three months – and Anna Planggin of Vens vowed a chapel in honour of Our Lady and St Sebastian, the plague saint; according to tradition, Vens was spared. Built that same year, the chapel was enlarged in 1697 and extended in 1722 by the present nave with gallery; an octagonal turret with onion roof sits above the sacristy, and the roof has carried new larch shingles since 2013/14. Inside stand three Baroque altars with twisted, marbled columns; the high altar of about 1697 holds the miraculous image, a Virgin and Child from around 1700. Considerably older are a relief of Christ with the twelve apostles and door reliefs of Saints Sebastian and George from the early 16th century, while figures of Saints Anthony and Sebastian date from about 1630. The small bell was cast in 1698, the larger one in 1769.

From our house it is 16 km or a 21-minute drive; the chapel stands at the northern edge of Vens, above the village. In the summer months the parish holds devotions on Sunday afternoons – dates from the Schruns parish office. We recommend the chapel as the goal of a walk up from Vandans, with views over the outer Montafon.

Last updated: 13 Sep 2026