Maria Lebing Church

Maria Lebing Church is a Gothic-style church building in Hartberg, Austria, dedicated to the Assumption of Mary. It is a protected monument and a popular pilgrimage site. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in the region, and a testimony to the Gothic art and architecture that flourished in the Middle Ages.

History

The church was founded in the 13th century by the Lords of Hartberg, a noble family that ruled over the area. The church was originally a chapel dedicated to Saint Mary Magdalene, and served as a private place of worship for the lords and their relatives. The chapel was later expanded and rebuilt in the 14th and 15th centuries, and became a parish church for the surrounding villages.

The church was also a destination for pilgrims, who came to venerate a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary that was painted on the wall of the choir. The image, which depicts Mary holding the Christ Child and a lily, is said to have been created by angels in the night. According to legend, a blind man regained his sight after praying before the image, and many other miracles were attributed to it. The image became known as Maria Lebing, after the nearby stream where the chapel was built.

The church suffered several damages and restorations over the centuries, especially during the Turkish invasions, the Peasant Wars, and the Napoleonic Wars. The church was also affected by fires, earthquakes, and storms, but always managed to survive and preserve its original character. The church was renovated and restored in the 19th and 20th centuries, and is now a protected monument and a cultural heritage site.

Architecture

The church is a typical example of the Gothic style that dominated the European architecture in the 13th to 15th centuries. The Gothic style is characterized by the use of pointed arches, ribbed vaults, flying buttresses, and stained glass windows, which create a sense of verticality, lightness, and elegance.

The church has a rectangular plan, with a nave, two aisles, a transept, a choir, and a polygonal apse. The nave is divided into four bays by octagonal pillars, and is covered by a cross-ribbed vault. The aisles are lower and narrower than the nave, and have simple quadripartite vaults. The transept is the widest part of the church, and has two chapels on each side. The choir is the oldest part of the church, and has a five-sided apse with a star-shaped vault. The choir also has a gallery, where the organ and the choir stalls are located.

The church has a single tower, which stands on the south side of the nave. The tower is 46 meters high, and has four stories. The lower story has a pointed portal, which is the main entrance to the church. The second story has a large rose window, which illuminates the nave. The third story has a clock, and the fourth story has a belfry, which houses four bells. The tower is topped by a pyramidal roof, which has a cross and a weathercock.

The church has a rich and varied decoration, both inside and outside. The exterior of the church is made of red sandstone, which contrasts with the white plaster of the walls. The church has several Gothic windows, which have tracery and stained glass. The church also has several sculptures, reliefs, and gargoyles, which adorn the portals, the buttresses, and the cornices.

The interior of the church is also adorned with various artworks, such as paintings, frescoes, altars, statues, and carvings. The most notable artwork is the image of Maria Lebing, which is located on the north wall of the choir. The image is painted on a wooden panel, and is framed by a Gothic canopy. The image is surrounded by votive offerings, such as candles, flowers, and ex-votos, which express the gratitude and devotion of the pilgrims.

Other notable artworks in the church include:

The high altar, which is a Baroque masterpiece from the 18th century. The altar has a wooden structure, which is covered by gilded carvings and paintings. The altar depicts the Assumption of Mary, with the apostles, angels, and saints. The altar also has a tabernacle, a crucifix, and a reliquary.
The side altars, which are dedicated to various saints and themes, such as Saint Anne, Saint Joseph, Saint Sebastian, Saint Roch, the Holy Cross, and the Holy Trinity. The side altars are also decorated with paintings, sculptures, and carvings, and date from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
The pulpit, which is a Gothic work from the 15th century. The pulpit has a hexagonal shape, and is supported by a stone pillar. The pulpit has carvings of the four evangelists, and a canopy with a statue of Christ.
The baptismal font, which is a Romanesque work from the 13th century. The font has a cylindrical shape, and is made of stone. The font has carvings of the twelve apostles, and a metal cover with a dove.
The organ, which is a Baroque work from the 18th century. The organ has a wooden case, which is painted and gilded. The organ has two manuals, a pedal, and 18 stops. The organ has a rich sound, and is used for concerts and liturgical music.

Hartberg, Austria