Parish Church Lauffen

Lauffen, a small town in Upper Austria, is home to a remarkable church that has witnessed centuries of history and culture. The Roman Catholic parish and pilgrimage church of Lauffen, known as “Maria im Schatten” (Mary in the Shadow), is a stunning example of Gothic architecture and art. It is dedicated to the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and attracts many visitors and pilgrims who come to admire its beauty and venerate its relics.

The Origins of the Church

The church of Lauffen has a long and rich history that dates back to the 12th century. Documents from 1117 mention a church in Lauffen, which was probably a wooden structure. The parish church was first explicitly mentioned in 1344, when it was called “vnser Vrowen chürchen” (our Lady’s church). At that time, the people of Lauffen were granted the privilege of collecting a salt penny from every passing barge on the Traun river, which was a major source of income and trade.

The parish of Lauffen, however, did not become independent until the second half of the 16th century. Before that, it was subordinate to the parish of Goisern, which was the main ecclesiastical center in the region. The church of Lauffen was rebuilt in stone in the mid-15th century, in the style of a hall church. A hall church is a type of church that has a nave and aisles of equal height, creating a spacious and airy interior. The church of Lauffen is one of the few surviving examples of this style in Upper Austria.

The Features of the Church

The church of Lauffen has many impressive features that showcase its Gothic splendor. The most striking feature is the two-aisled, three-and-a-half-bay nave with a diamond star ceiling in six parts. The diamond star ceiling is a form of rib vaulting that creates a complex and elegant pattern of stars on the ceiling. The ribs are decorated with floral motifs and painted in bright colors. The nave also has large windows that fill the space with natural light.

The choir, which is the part of the church where the altar and the clergy are located, is slightly offset from the axis of the nave. It has a cross vault and a 3/8 closure, which means that it ends in a polygonal shape with three sides. The choir contains the high altar, which is the main focal point of the church. The high altar was donated in 1686 and completed in 1719 by Salzburg craftsmen. It is a magnificent example of Baroque art, with elaborate carvings, paintings, and sculptures. The high altar depicts the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, surrounded by angels and saints. The altar also houses a precious relic: a piece of the veil of the Virgin Mary, which was brought from Jerusalem by a crusader in the 13th century.

The church also has two side altars, which are smaller altars dedicated to other saints or themes. The side altars were built in 1637, and they were renovated in 1845. They were also modified as a result of this. In 1951, the north altar was restored. The side altars have paintings and statues of various saints, such as St. Sebastian, St. Roch, St. Anthony, and St. Francis.

Another notable feature of the church is the chapel that is located south of the choir. This chapel was built around 1456, and it has a single bay vaulted ceiling with an irregular 5/8 closure. The chapel has its own altar, which was built in 1707. The chapel is dedicated to the Holy Cross, and it contains a wooden crucifix that dates back to the 15th century. The crucifix is revered as a miraculous image, as it is said to have bled during a fire in 1529.

The church also has a tower that is connected to the west side of the nave. The tower was built in 1705, and it has an onion-shaped dome that is typical of the Baroque period. The tower has a clock and a bell, which ring at regular intervals. The tower also offers a panoramic view of the town and the river.

The entrance to the church is marked by a wrought iron grille that dates from the late 17th century. The grille has a decorative design that includes the coat of arms of the town and the church. The grille also has a Latin inscription that reads: “Hic est domus Dei et porta coeli” (This is the house of God and the gate of heaven).

Bad Ischl, Austria