Linzer Mariendom

The Mariae Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Linz is a neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral structure also known as Mariendom and Neuer Dom.This neo-Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral is the largest church in Austria by capacity, and the second-tallest after St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna. It is a magnificent example of Gothic architecture and art, and a testimony to the devotion of the people of Linz to the Virgin Mary.

History and Construction

The cathedral was built as a sign of gratitude for the proclamation of the dogma of Mary’s Immaculate Conception by Pope Pius IX in 1854. The Bishop of Linz, Franz Joseph Rudigier, initiated the project in 1855, and the foundation stone was laid in 1862. The cathedral was dedicated to St. Mary’s Church by Bishop Johannes Maria Gföllner in 1924, but the construction was not completed until 1935, as part of the 150th anniversary of the Diocese of Linz. The cathedral square was also renovated at the same time.

The cathedral was designed by Vincenz Statz, a master builder from Cologne, who followed the Belgian-Dutch High Gothic style. He was inspired by other Gothic cathedrals, such as Utrecht Cathedral in the Netherlands. He was assisted by Otto Schirmer, his son Franz Statz, and Matthäus Schlager, the cathedral building manager. The construction was done in several phases, starting with the votive chapel, then the presbytery and the transept, and finally the tower and the nave. The tower, which stands on the north side of the southern facade, is 134.8 meters high, and is slightly lower than the south tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, which is 136.4 meters high. According to a popular but unconfirmed legend, this was done deliberately, as no building in Austria-Hungary could surpass the height of the imperial cathedral.

The cathedral was built with various materials, such as sandstone from Altlengbach in Lower Austria, granite from Upper Austria, and conglomerate from Kremsmünster. The cathedral covers an area of 5,170 square meters, and has a roof area of 7,120 square meters. It has 142 windows, 54 columns, and 17 altars. The cathedral can accommodate up to 20,000 people.

Interior and Art

The interior of the cathedral is adorned with many artistic and religious elements, such as stained glass windows, frescoes, sculptures, paintings, and organs. The most famous window is the Linz Window, which depicts the history of Linz from ancient times to the present. It was created by Albert Birkle and Anton Lutz in 1938. The window also shows the portraits of some of the cathedral’s benefactors, such as Emperor Franz Joseph I, Bishop Rudigier, and Michael Blümelhuber, a steel cutter who made the key to the new cathedral.

The main altar, which was moved to the crossing in 2017, is made of Carrara marble and was designed by Viktor Hammer. It features a relief of the Last Supper, and statues of the four evangelists and the four Latin doctors of the church. The high altar, which is located in the choir, is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception, and was designed by Franz Schöpf. It has a statue of Mary surrounded by angels, and reliefs of scenes from her life. The side altars are dedicated to various saints and themes, such as St. Joseph, St. Anne, St. Francis, St. Anthony, the Sacred Heart, the Holy Cross, and the Holy Family.

The cathedral also has a crypt, which is accessible from the south side. It contains the tombs of the bishops of Linz, as well as a chapel of the Holy Sepulchre, which has a replica of the tomb of Jesus. The crypt also has a museum, which displays various objects related to the history and art of the cathedral.

The cathedral has four organs, which are used for liturgical and musical purposes. The main organ, which is located in the west gallery, was built by Gregor Hradetzky in 1968, and has 6,798 pipes and 103 registers. The choir organ, which is located in the north transept, was built by Johann Pirchner in 1979, and has 1,800 pipes and 28 registers. The crypt organ, which is located in the crypt, was built by Johann Pirchner in 1986, and has 1,000 pipes and 18 registers. The portable organ, which is located in the nave, was built by Johann Pirchner in 1990, and has 400 pipes and 6 registers.

Events and Incidents

The cathedral is not only a place of worship, but also a venue for various events, such as concerts, exhibitions, lectures, and ceremonies. The cathedral hosts the annual Bruckner Festival, which celebrates the life and work of Anton Bruckner, the famous composer and organist who was born in Ansfelden, near Linz. Bruckner composed several pieces for the cathedral, such as the festive cantata for the laying of the foundation stone in 1862, and the Mass in E minor for the inauguration of the votive chapel in 1869.

The cathedral has also witnessed some incidents and accidents, such as fires, storms, and collapses. In 1906, a fire broke out in the tower, which damaged the roof and the spire. In 1927, a storm caused the collapse of the scaffolding around the tower, which killed two workers. In 2018, a worker who was repairing a 15-meter-high structure with a hoist accidentally pulled down a 3.5-meter-high tower from its anchorage, which endangered the stage. The worker was rescued, but the tower fell and broke on the ground.

Bells

The cathedral has nine bells, which are hung in the tower and the spire. The largest bell, called Pummerin, weighs 5,200 kilograms and has a diameter of 2.5 meters. It was cast in 1955 by Rudolf Perner, and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It rings on special occasions, such as Christmas, Easter, and New Year. The second-largest bell, called Rudigier, weighs 3,500 kilograms and has a diameter of 2.2 meters. It was cast in 1928 by B. Grassmayr, and is dedicated to Bishop Rudigier. It rings on Sundays and feast days. The other bells are named after various saints and themes, such as Joseph, Michael, Florian, Leopold, Johannes, Maria, and Christus. They ring on weekdays and for various services and prayers.

Linz, Austria