Kajetanerkirche

The Roman Catholic Kajetanerkirche is located on Kajetanerplatz in the Kaiviertel, which is located in the south of Salzburg’s old town.It is named after Saints Maximilian (vom Pongau) and Kajetan, and the patron saint is commemorated on October 12th, Maximilian’s Day.Archbishop Max Gandolf Kuenburg designed it as the monastery church of the Theatiners, who ran a Theatiner monastery there from 1685 to 1808. Johann Ernst Graf Thun consecrated it on October 31, 1700.

The old monastery’s two symmetrically constructed three-story wings encircle the church, which fits flush into the line of buildings and forms a representational unit.The two church towers have been replaced with lateral curving gable appendages.The church gateway is framed by Ionic columns with connected segmental arches, a pattern seen expanded as the church frame and retained somewhat smaller as the frame of the lateral wing building portals.The coat of arms of Prince Archbishop Max Gandolph Kuenburg is a superb marble relief high above the church doorway.

The core structure is capped by a high tambour dome, with two chapels inserted on either side.The church is completed with little artistic wall panels with stained glass windows and galleries.Paul Troger produced the dome fresco.It represents the Holy Trinity ascension of Saint Cajetan into heavenly glory in the presence of Saint Mary and the representatives of the Old and New Covenants. The top lantern is embellished with a haloed depiction of the Holy Spirit.

The high altar’s altarpiece depicts St. Maximilian’s martyrdom.It was designed by Paul Troger, who also painted the altarpiece on the right side altar with Saint Cajetan soothing plague victims and the four canvas paintings above the confessionals.In contrast, the altarpiece on the left side altar is by Johann Michael Rottmayr and represents the Holy Family in commemoration of the previous Annakirche.

The stucco work in the church with angel putti, wreaths of fruit and palm branches, cornucopias, garlands, and tendrils represent heavenly glory and were completed during the church’s completion by the brothers Francesco and Carlo Antonio Brenni, as well as Antonio Carabelli.The vestibule’s entry grille is likewise from this era.

Images from the lives of Kajetan order saints may be seen in the transept fields. The lunette vaulted side chapels may be seen on both sides of the church’s entrance.The altarpiece of Saint Andrew Avellinus in the left chapel was created in 1712 by Jac(ob) Zanussy.The right chapel’s altar was completed in 1770.A contemporary addition is the altar figure of St. John of God, the patron saint of the Brothers of Mercy.

The Holy Staircase on the first and second floors close to the church is a unique feature that was created in 1712 in imitation of the Roman Scala Santa.It has 28 stairs and may only be ascended while kneeling. It leads up to the cross altar, which has a massive central wooden cross that was made in 1750.Angel figures holding the implements of Christ’s agony embellish the bottom end of the stairway, setting the tone for the pilgrim.A reliquary containing the bones of the fabled catacomb martyr Vereinus may also be found in the cross chapel.These steps were formerly a well-known and frequently frequented sanctuary, and they are also cultural and historical in recollection of the diverse kinds of baroque piety.