Gosau Parish Church

The Gosau Parish Church is a Roman Catholic Church in the village of Gosau, Upper Austria. It is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, the patron saint of soldiers and plague victims. The church has a long and rich history, dating back to the 13th century.

• The church was originally a wooden chapel that belonged to the mother parish of Abtenau, a nearby town in Salzburg. The chapel was located in the district of Kirchschlag, which means “church hill”.
• The church was rebuilt in stone between 1500 and 1507, after Gosau became an independent parish in 1500. The church was designed in the Gothic Revival style, with a single nave, a polygonal choir, and a tower with a pointed roof.
• The church has a rich interior decoration, featuring several altars, paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows. The main altar, dedicated to Saint Sebastian, was created by the famous sculptor Johann Meinrad Guggenbichler in 1696. The altar depicts the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, who was shot with arrows by Roman soldiers for his Christian faith.
• The church also has a remarkable organ, built by Johann Christoph Egedacher in 1723. The organ has 22 registers and 1,200 pipes, and is considered one of the best preserved Baroque organs in Austria. The organ is still used for concerts and services, and attracts many visitors and music lovers.
• The church is surrounded by a cemetery, where many prominent people from Gosau are buried. The cemetery also has a chapel, dedicated to Saint Anna, the mother of the Virgin Mary. The chapel was built in 1738 and has a Rococo style.
• The church is a listed building and a cultural heritage site in Austria. It is open to the public and offers guided tours and information. The church is also a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists, who come to admire its beauty and history.