Mariahilf Church

The Mariahilf Parish Church, also known as the Höttinger Kirche, is a Roman Catholic church located in the Hötting district of Innsbruck, Austria. The church stands on the left bank of the Inn River, overlooking the city and the Alps. It is one of the most prominent and beautiful examples of the Italian early baroque style in Tyrol, and has a rich history dating back to the 17th century.

The Origin of the Church

The construction of the Mariahilf Parish Church was initiated by the Tyrolean Estates (Landschaft), the representative body of the nobility, clergy, and towns of the province, during the Thirty Years’ War. The war was a devastating conflict that involved most of Europe, and Tyrol was not spared from its effects. In the winter of 1646/47, the Tyrolean Estates made an oath to build a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the patron saint of Tyrol, in gratitude for her protection and intercession.

The chosen site for the church was a hill on the left bank of the Inn, where a small chapel dedicated to St. Nicholas had stood since the 14th century. The chapel was demolished to make way for the new church, which was designed by Christoph Gumpp the Younger, a court architect and painter. Gumpp was influenced by the Italian early baroque style, which he had studied during his travels to Rome and Venice. He created a central domed church with a circular plan and four radiating chapels, decorated with frescoes, stucco, and marble.

The inaugural Holy Mass was held on April 23, 1648, and the consecration of the church took place on June 26, 1660, officiated by the auxiliary bishop of Brixen, Johann Franz Khuen von Belasi. The church served as the place of worship for the Tyrolean Estates until the construction of the country house chapel in the 1720s.

The Establishment of the Parish

The Mariahilf Parish Church became a parish church on June 13, 1853, when Pope Pius IX issued a decree that separated it from the Hötting parish. The parish of Mariahilf was entrusted to the care of the Franciscan Order, which had a convent nearby. The parish area of Mariahilf extended beyond the city limits of Innsbruck, encompassing the streets of Höttinger Au, Kranebitter Allee, Speckweg, Sonnenstraße, and Botanist Street. The parish was also divided between the parishes of Hötting, St. Nikolaus, and the cathedral parish.

The parish church underwent several renovations and restorations over the years, especially after the damages caused by the Second World War. The most recent renovation was completed in 2010, which restored the original appearance and colors of the church.

The Features of the Church

The Mariahilf Parish Church is a remarkable example of the Italian early baroque style in Tyrol, which combines elements of classical, Renaissance, and baroque architecture. The church has a circular plan with a diameter of 24 meters, and a height of 36 meters. The dome is supported by eight pillars, and has a lantern with a cross on top. The facade of the church is divided into two sections by a cornice, and has four pilasters with Corinthian capitals. The main entrance is flanked by two statues of angels, and has a triangular pediment with the coat of arms of the Tyrolean Estates. The upper section of the facade has a large oval window, and a smaller triangular pediment with a statue of the Virgin Mary.

The interior of the church is richly decorated with frescoes, stucco, and marble. The main altar, located under the dome, has a painting of the Virgin Mary with the Child Jesus, surrounded by angels and saints. The painting is attributed to Johann Georg Dominikus Grasmair, a Tyrolean painter who worked in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The four radiating chapels have altars dedicated to St. Francis of Assisi, St. Anthony of Padua, St. Joseph, and St. John the Baptist. The chapels also have paintings by Grasmair and other artists, such as Johann Carl Auerbach and Johann Georg Platzer. The church also has a choir loft, a sacristy, and a crypt.

The parish church is also known for its organ, which was built by Johann Pirchner in 1986. The organ is a slider chest instrument, equipped with 20 registers spread across two manuals and a pedal. The organ is used for liturgical and musical purposes, and regularly hosts concerts and recitals.

The Significance of the Church

The Mariahilf Parish Church is not only a scenic and historic landmark in Innsbruck, but also a symbol of the faith and devotion of the Tyrolean people. The church is a testimony of the gratitude and loyalty of the Tyrolean Estates to the Virgin Mary, who is revered as the patron saint and protector of Tyrol. The church is also a witness of the artistic and cultural achievements of the Tyrolean architects, painters, and craftsmen, who created a masterpiece of the Italian early baroque style in the heart of the Alps. The church is a place of worship and celebration for the parishioners and visitors, who can admire the beauty and splendor of the church, and enjoy the music and concerts that are regularly held there.

Innsbruck, Austria