Mariä-Himmelfahrt-Kirche

The Pfarrkirche Mariae Himmelfahrt (Parish Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary) is a historic and beautiful church in Bad Hofgastein, a spa town in the Austrian state of Salzburg. The church has a long and rich history, dating back to the 9th century, when it was first built as a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Since then, the church has undergone several renovations, expansions, and transformations, reflecting the changing styles and events of the times. The church is considered the largest and most impressive Gothic church in the Salzburg mountain region, and it features a magnificent baroque altar, a stunning organ, and many artistic and religious treasures.

History

The church’s history can be traced back to the year 894, when a chronicle from 1540 mentions that a chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary was built on a hill called “Hof”. This chapel was the first church in the Gastein valley, and it served as the mother and parish church for the region. The church was first mentioned in a document in 1023, under the rule of Archbishop Hartwig, and it was donated to the Salzburg cathedral chapter in 1219. The church underwent several repairs and extensions in the 15th century, but it was largely destroyed by a fire in 1502, along with most of the town. The church was rebuilt in its current form between 1498 and 1507, as a Gothic three-aisled hall church, with a slender tower and a polygonal choir. The church was damaged again by another fire in 1596, which destroyed the roof and the tower. The tower was rebuilt and raised by two stories in 1602, giving it its present appearance. The church also received a new organ in 1648, which is still in use today. In the first half of the 18th century, the church was redecorated in the baroque style, replacing the Gothic altars with more elaborate ones. The church was renovated again in 1873 and 1912, and restored in 1958-1962, 1978, and 1979. The church is currently undergoing another comprehensive renovation.

Architecture

The church is a remarkable example of late Gothic architecture, with some baroque elements. The church is 46 meters long and 18 meters wide, and it has two side aisles separated from the main nave by four smooth, slender round columns. The church has a ribbed vault and a net vault over the nave and the choir, creating a spacious and elegant interior. The church has a west tower, which is 72 meters high and has a pointed spire. The tower has four corner turrets and a clock face on each side. The tower also houses six bells, the oldest of which dates back to 1507. The church has a polygonal choir, which is slightly elevated from the nave and has a five-sided apse. The choir has a large stained glass window, depicting the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and two smaller windows, depicting the Annunciation and the Visitation. The church has a sacristy on the north side of the choir, and a chapel on the south side, dedicated to St. Anne. The church has a main portal on the west side, and two side portals on the north and south sides. The portals are decorated with Gothic sculptures and reliefs, depicting saints, angels, and scenes from the life of Mary.

Interior

The church’s interior is a splendid combination of Gothic and baroque art, with many paintings, sculptures, and ornaments. The most striking feature of the interior is the high altar, which is one of the most magnificent baroque altars in the country. The altar was created by the painter Josef Andrä Eisl and the sculptor Paul Mödlhamer, both students of the famous Mondsee master Meinrad Guggenbichler. The altar depicts the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels and saints. The altar also has a statue of Mary, which is the only remaining piece of the original Gothic altar. The statue is believed to be from the school of Michael Pacher, and dates back to around 1490-1500. The altar also has a tabernacle, a crucifix, and a painting of the Last Supper. The church has six side altars, three on each side of the nave, which are also decorated with paintings and sculptures of various saints and themes. The church also has a pulpit, which is carved with scenes from the life of Christ, and a baptismal font, which is made of marble and has a bronze cover. The church has a gallery on the west side, where the organ is located. The organ is one of the oldest and most valuable organs in the region, and it has 25 registers and 1,500 pipes. The organ was built by the organ builder Christoph Egedacher in 1648, and it was restored in 1962. The church also has a choir loft on the east side, where the choir and the musicians perform. The church has many other artistic and religious treasures, such as paintings, statues, relics, vestments, and books, which are displayed in the church museum or in the sacristy.

Significance

The church is not only a place of worship, but also a symbol of the history and culture of Bad Hofgastein and the Gastein valley. The church has witnessed many events and changes in the region, such as the rise and fall of the gold and silver mining industry, the emergence of the spa and tourism industry, and the religious and political conflicts and reforms. The church has also hosted many famous and influential visitors, such as the patriarch Ladislaus Pyrker, who was a patron and friend of the poets and artists of the Romantic era, and who obtained a thermal spring and a spa facility for Bad Hofgastein from Emperor Francis I.

Bad Hofgastein, Austria