Kalvarienbergkirche Bad Ischl

The Kalvarienbergkirche, or the Calvary Church, is a baroque church that stands on a hill overlooking the town of Bad Ischl in Upper Austria. The church, which dates back to the early 18th century, is a remarkable example of religious art and architecture, featuring a crucifixion group, terracotta figures, frescoes, and chapels. The church is also a historic site, as it witnessed the events of the Turkish wars, the Napoleonic era, and the Austro-Hungarian monarchy. In this article, we will explore the history, the features, and the significance of this unique church.

The History of the Church

The Kalvarienbergkirche was built as a place of pilgrimage and devotion, inspired by the Calvary in Jerusalem, where Jesus Christ was crucified. The church was the second Calvary in the Salzkammergut region, after the one in Traunkirchen, which was built in 1696. The construction of the church began in 1704 and was completed in 1706, under the patronage of the local salt mining guild. On September 14, 1706, the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross, the townspeople carried the wooden figures of the crucifixion group from the parish church of St. Nicholas to the hilltop church in a solemn procession.

The church was consecrated in 1711 by Johann Philipp von Lamberg, the prince archbishop of Passau, who had jurisdiction over the area at the time. The church was enlarged and embellished in the following decades, with the addition of two side altars, a sacristy, two towers, an apse, and three niches on the facade. The church also acquired a bell from Salzburg in 1724, which still rings today.

The church underwent several renovations and restorations in the 19th and 20th centuries, especially after the damages caused by the Napoleonic wars and the World War II. The most notable restoration was done in 1960/61, when the original baroque appearance of the church was restored, and the terracotta figures on the facade were repainted in their original colors.

The Features of the Church

The Kalvarienbergkirche is a small but richly decorated church, with a rectangular nave, a polygonal choir, and two towers flanking the facade. The church is surrounded by a cemetery and a wall, which encloses the Holy Sepulcher chapel and four Stations chapels of the Way of the Cross. The church and the chapels are protected as historic monuments.

The main attraction of the church is the crucifixion group, which is located in the apse behind the main altar. The group consists of nine wooden figures, depicting Jesus on the cross, the two thieves, Mary, John, Mary Magdalene, and two horsemen. The figures are life-sized and realistic, with expressive faces and gestures. The group is considered a masterpiece of baroque sculpture, although the identity of the artist is unknown. Some scholars attribute the group to Johann Georg Kammerdorfer, a Mondsee artist who lived in Bad Ischl from 1704 to 1707. The group was originally smaller, with only six figures, but was expanded in the 18th century with the addition of Mary Magdalene and the horsemen.

The facade of the church is also adorned with terracotta figures, which depict the scene of the condemnation of Jesus by Pontius Pilate. The figures are arranged in three flat niches, with Jesus in the center, Pilate on the left, and the Jewish elders and the court ushers on the right. The figures are nearly life-sized and have a dramatic expression. The figures are also of unknown origin, but they are believed to date from the Turkish wars, as the enemies of Jesus are dressed in Turkish costumes. The figures were originally painted in bright colors, but were later covered with gray oil paint. In 1964, the figures were repainted in a rich red base tone, which enhances their visual impact.

The interior of the church is decorated with frescoes, paintings, and altars. The ceiling fresco, painted in 1779, shows God the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the cross of Christ, surrounded by angels with the instruments of the Passion. The fresco was partially painted over in 1893, but was restored to its original baroque style in 1960/61. The artist of the fresco is also unknown. The main altar, dating from 1714, features a painting of the crucifixion by Paul Preisl, a local painter who also painted the Last Judgment on the side aisle. The side altars, also from 1714, are dedicated to St. Joseph and St. Anne. On the right side wall, there is a votive altar with a picture of Mary with crying eyes, which was donated by Father Felix Ezinger, a native of Bad Ischl and a monk from Lambach Abbey, who built the Calvary in Lambach in 1705.

The Significance of the Church

The Kalvarienbergkirche is not only a beautiful church, but also a meaningful one. The church represents the faith and devotion of the people of Bad Ischl, who have maintained and cherished the church for over three centuries. The church also reflects the history and culture of the region, as it witnessed the changes and challenges of the times. The church is a symbol of the baroque spirit, which combined artistic excellence and religious fervor.

The church is also a source of inspiration for many artists, who have captured the church and its surroundings in their works. Some of the famous painters who depicted the church include Thomas Ender, Rudolf von Alt, and Anton Schiffer, who belonged to the Biedermeier period, a cultural movement that flourished in Austria and Germany in the early 19th century. The church is also featured in some literary works, such as the novel The Empress of Austria by Heinrich Mann, and the play The Last Days of Mankind by Karl Kraus.

Bad Ischl, Austria