Katholische Kirche Baden – St. Stephan

Katholische Kirche Baden – St. Stephan, or the Catholic Church of Baden – St. Stephen, is a historic parish church in the town of Baden, Austria. It is one of the most prominent landmarks of the town, and a testimony to its rich cultural and religious heritage.

Historical Background

The church dates back to the 11th century, when it was first mentioned in a document as a chapel dedicated to St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The chapel was part of a castle complex owned by the Counts of Formbach, who later became the Margraves of Styria. The chapel was elevated to a parish church in 1072, and was affiliated with the Diocese of Passau, a powerful ecclesiastical territory in Bavaria.

Affiliation with Diocese of Passau

The church remained under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Passau until 1783, when it was transferred to the newly created Diocese of Vienna. The Diocese of Passau had a significant influence on the church’s development, as it appointed the priests, collected the tithes, and oversaw the administration of the parish. The Diocese of Passau also granted the church various privileges, such as the right to hold markets, fairs, and festivals, and the exemption from certain taxes and duties.

Patronage by Melk Abbey

Another important factor in the church’s history was the patronage by Melk Abbey, a Benedictine monastery located on the banks of the Danube River. The abbey acquired the church in 1136, and became its patron and protector. The abbey provided the church with financial and material support, as well as artistic and architectural guidance. The abbey also sent some of its monks to serve as priests and teachers in the church and the town.

Renovations and Transformations

The church underwent several renovations and transformations throughout the centuries, reflecting the changing styles and tastes of the times. The original Romanesque structure was expanded and modified in the Gothic style in the 14th and 15th centuries, adding a choir, a transept, and a polygonal apse. The church was further embellished in the Baroque style in the 17th and 18th centuries, adding a tower, an onion dome, a portal, and a rich interior decoration. The church was also damaged and restored several times, due to fires, wars, and natural disasters.

Turkish Wars and Reformation

The church faced some of the most challenging periods in its history during the Turkish Wars and the Reformation. The Turkish Wars, which lasted from the 16th to the 18th centuries, were a series of conflicts between the Ottoman Empire and the Holy Roman Empire, which threatened the security and stability of the region. The church was attacked and plundered by the Turkish forces several times, and had to be fortified and defended by the local population. The Reformation, which began in the 16th century, was a religious movement that challenged the authority and doctrines of the Catholic Church, and led to the emergence of Protestantism. The church was affected by the Reformation, as some of its parishioners converted to the new faith, and some of its priests left or were expelled. The church had to cope with the loss of members, revenues, and influence, and to reaffirm its Catholic identity and loyalty.

Re-Gothicization Efforts

The church underwent a major restoration project in the 19th century, which aimed to restore its original Gothic appearance and character. The project was initiated by the priest Johann Baptist Zehetner, who was inspired by the Romantic movement and the Gothic revival. The project involved removing the Baroque elements, such as the onion dome, the portal, and the interior decoration, and replacing them with Gothic ones, such as a spire, a rose window, and a simpler and soberer design. The project was completed in 1867, and was celebrated with a solemn consecration ceremony.

Architectural Features

The church is a remarkable example of Gothic architecture, with some traces of Romanesque and Baroque styles. The church has a basilica plan, with a nave, two aisles, a transept, and a choir. The church has a length of 54 meters, a width of 22 meters, and a height of 24 meters. The church has a tower, which rises to a height of 65 meters, and is topped by a spire. The tower has a clock, a bell, and a weather vane. The church has a portal, which is decorated with statues of St. Stephen and St. Lawrence, the patron saints of the church. The church has a rose window, which is filled with stained glass, depicting scenes from the life of St. Stephen. The church has a cross vault, which is supported by pillars and ribs. The church has a wooden ceiling, which is painted with stars and angels.

Tower and Baroque Onion Dome

The tower and the onion dome are the most distinctive features of the church, and the symbols of the town of Baden. The tower was built in the 17th century, in the Baroque style, as part of the expansion and embellishment of the church. The tower has four stories, each with a different shape and size. The tower has a square base, a hexagonal second story, an octagonal third story, and a circular fourth story. The tower has a balcony, which offers a panoramic view of the town and the surroundings. The tower has a clock, which was installed in 1712, and has four faces, each with a different design and color. The tower has a bell, which was cast in 1714, and weighs 2,700 kilograms. The tower has a weather vane, which is shaped like a rooster, and indicates the direction of the wind. The onion dome was added to the tower in the 18th century, in the Baroque style, as part of the renovation and decoration of the church. The onion dome has a spherical shape, and is covered with copper plates. The onion dome has a lantern, which is illuminated at night. The onion dome has a cross, which is the highest point of the church.

Paul Troger’s Contributions

The church is also notable for its artistic treasures, especially the works of Paul Troger, one of the most renowned Austrian painters of the 18th century. Troger was commissioned by the Melk Abbey to decorate the church with frescoes and altarpieces, which he executed between 1732 and 1736. Troger’s frescoes adorn the walls and the ceiling of the nave, the transept, and the choir, and depict scenes from the Old and New Testaments, as well as the lives of the saints. Troger’s altarpieces adorn the main altar and the side altars, and depict the martyrdom of St. Stephen, the Assumption of Mary, the Crucifixion of Christ, and the Adoration of the Magi. Troger’s paintings are characterized by their vivid colors, dynamic compositions, and dramatic effects of light and shadow.

Organ and Musical Heritage

The church is also famous for its organ and its musical heritage, as it has been a center of musical activity and education for centuries. The organ was built in 1738, by Johann Hencke, a master organ builder from Vienna. The organ has three manuals, 35 stops, and 2,000 pipes. The organ has a rich and varied sound, and is suitable for playing a wide range of musical genres and styles. The organ has been played by some of the most distinguished organists and composers of the past and present, such as Johann Joseph Fux, Georg Muffat, Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, Anton Bruckner, and Franz Schmidt. The organ has been restored and modernized several times, most recently in 2004, to preserve its original quality and functionality. The church has also hosted numerous concerts and recitals, featuring local and international musicians and singers, as well as choirs and orchestras. The church has also been a place of musical education and training, as it has housed a music school, a music library, and a music archive.

Mozart’s Association

The church has a special connection with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, one of the most celebrated composers of all time. Mozart visited Baden several times, between 1783 and 1791, and stayed at the house of his friend and patron, Anton Stoll, who was the choir director and organist of the church. Mozart composed some of his works in Baden, such as the Ave verum corpus, the Great Mass in C minor, and the Requiem. Mozart also performed some of his works in the church, such as the Coronation Mass, the Piano Concerto in D minor, and the Clarinet Concerto. Mozart also attended some of the services and ceremonies in the church, such as the baptism of his son, Franz Xaver Wolfgang, and the funeral of his father, Leopold. Mozart’s presence and influence are still felt in the church, as there are several memorials and plaques dedicated to him, as well as a bust and a statue.

Pfarrplatz Location

The church is located in the Pfarrplatz, or the Parish Square, which is the heart of the town of Baden. The Pfarrplatz is a spacious and elegant square, surrounded by historic buildings and monuments, such as the town hall, the court house, the theater, and the spa. The Pfarrplatz is also a lively and vibrant place, where various events and activities take place, such as markets, fairs, festivals, and concerts. The Pfarrplatz is also a place of relaxation and recreation, as it has a fountain, a park, and a cafe. The Pfarrplatz is also a place of history and culture, as it has witnessed some of the most significant events and personalities of the town and the church. The Pfarrplatz is the best place to appreciate the beauty and the spirit of Baden and its parish church.

Artifacts and Decorations

The church is also home to a collection of artifacts and decorations, which reflect its long and rich history and tradition. The church has a baptismal font, which dates back to the 12th century, and is one of the oldest in Austria. The church has a crucifix, which dates back to the 15th century, and is one of the finest examples of Gothic sculpture. The church has a reliquary, which contains the relics of St. Stephen and other saints, and is one of the most precious and revered objects in the church. The church has a pulpit, which dates back to the 18th century, and is one of the most elaborate and ornate in the country. The church has a tabernacle, which dates back to the 19th century, and is one of the most elegant and sophisticated in the region. The church has a chandelier, which dates back to the 20th century, and is one of the most modern and stylish in the world. The church has a variety of paintings, sculptures, statues, stained glass, and other works of art, which adorn the walls, the altars, the windows, and the niches of the church.

Cultural Significance

The church is not only a place of worship, but also a place of cultural significance, as it has been a source of inspiration and influence for many artists, writers, musicians, and scholars. The church has been featured in many works of literature, such as the novels of Adalbert Stifter, the poems of Franz Grillparzer, and the essays of Karl Kraus. The church has been depicted in many works of art, such as the paintings of Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, the drawings of Alfred Kubin, and the photographs of Trude Fleischmann. The church has been celebrated in many works of music, such as the symphonies of Joseph Haydn, the operas of Richard Strauss, and the songs of Franz Schubert. The church has also been studied and researched by many historians, archaeologists, architects, and theologians, who have contributed to the knowledge and appreciation of the church and its heritage.

Restoration Projects

The church has also been the subject of several restoration projects, which have aimed to preserve and enhance its original beauty and integrity. The church has been restored and renovated in the 20th and 21st centuries, with the help of various experts, institutions, and organizations. The church has been restored and renovated in the areas of the structure, the facade, the roof, the tower, the spire, the dome, the portal, the window, the vault, the ceiling, the organ, the frescoes, the altarpieces, the paintings, the sculptures, the statues, the furniture, the lighting, the heating, the ventilation, and the security. The church has also been restored and renovated with respect to the historical, artistic, and liturgical aspects of the church, as well as the needs and expectations of the parishioners and the visitors.

Baden bei Wien, Austria