Among the greatest architectural treasures of Pontebba is certainly the Pieve of Santa Maria Maggiore, guardian of the splendid wooden winged altar, known in German as the Flügelaltar, meaning “Winged Altar.” The name derives from the fact that it consists of a central body with two movable panels. This late-Gothic altar, dated 1517, is probably the masterpiece of Maestro Enrico da Villaco.
Due to the quality of its carvings, it is believed to be the work of the same master and to be the prototype of unparalleled quality of a series of altars with a similar structure found in various Austrian churches. Both the wooden sculptures and the paintings show a certain Italian Renaissance influence, adopting a less somber and more “naturalistic” appearance. From a technical point of view, the altar stands out for its superb and highly refined craftsmanship, down to the finest, meticulously created details.
