Franciscan Church Salzburg

The Franciscan Church in Salzburg, Austria, is considered one of the oldest churches in the area. The church is situated in the Altstadt area of the city, at the intersection of Franziskanergasse and Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse. It is located across from the Franciscan Friary. The initial church on this site was built in the eighth century. During the years 1408 to 1450, the Romanesque choir was replaced by a Gothic choir. A slender Gothic tower was constructed during the years 1468 and 1498. The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and functioned as the parish church until 1635. In 1642, it was ceded to the Franciscan Order.In the eighteenth century, Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach undertook the task of redesigning the church interior, incorporating the baroque style.

The initial construction of the church on this site took place in the eighth century, under the patronage of Saint Virgil. It is believed that Saint Virgil may have utilized the church for baptisms. A parish church on this site is mentioned in a document from 1139. The church, along with five other churches including the Dom, was destroyed by fire in 1167. The construction of the central nave of the church in Salzburg began in 1208, during the early thirteenth century. This architectural masterpiece was built in the late-Romanesque style, making it one of the oldest structures in the city.The consecration of the building took place in 1221.

Master Hans von Burghausen commenced construction of the radiant Gothic choir between 1408 and 1450, with its completion being carried out by Stefan Krumenauer to replace the existing Romanesque choir. Between 1468 and 1498, a slender Gothic tower was added. The church was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and functioned as the parish church until 1635. In 1670, Archbishop Max Gandolf of Kuenburg issued an order to have the top of the church tower removed. This decision was made because the height of the church tower exceeded that of the cathedral tower. Joseph Wessiken later restored the tower in 1866, adopting the neo-Gothic style. During the 18th century, the interior of the church underwent a redesign, adopting the elegant and ornate characteristics of the baroque style. The chapels behind the high altar, known as the “Rosary,” have been dated back to the sixteenth century.

The church choir is comprised of nine chapels that were decorated in the baroque style by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach during the eighteenth century. The chapel located behind the high altar features a magnificent winged marble altar, which has been dated back to the year 1561. The High Altar, created in 1709 by Fischer von Erlach, is a magnificent piece made from a combination of red marble and gold. The Madonna statue at the center of the winged altar was sculpted by Michael Pacher of Tyrol during the Late Gothic period (1495-1498).The pulpit staircase features a 12th-century marble lion standing over a man who has a pained expression on his face. The man is depicted pushing his sword into the belly of the lion. The triumphal arch is adorned with frescoes created by Conrad Laib.