Parish Church Of Pradl

The Parish Church of Pradl is a stunning example of neo-Romanesque architecture in the heart of Innsbruck, Austria. Built in the early 20th century, the church is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Mary and St. Cassian, a martyr and patron saint of teachers. The church boasts a magnificent facade, a spacious interior, and a rich collection of artworks and furnishings that reflect the history and faith of the Pradl community.

History of the Pradler Church

The history of the Pradler Church dates back to the 19th century, when the Pradl district was rapidly growing due to industrialization and urbanization. The existing chapel of St. Cassian, built in 1772, could no longer accommodate the increasing number of parishioners. Therefore, in 1898, a committee was formed to plan and fund the construction of a new church. The committee chose the site of the former Pradl castle, which had been demolished in 1860, as the location for the new church. The committee also decided to dedicate the church to the Immaculate Conception of Mary, in honor of the dogma proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854. The committee commissioned Josef Schmitz, a renowned architect from Cologne, Germany, to design the church. Schmitz had previously designed several churches in Germany and Austria, including the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul in Brno, Czech Republic. Schmitz’s plans were approved by the diocese of Innsbruck in 1904, and the construction began in 1905. The church was consecrated on October 4, 1908, by Bishop Simon Aichner. The church was elevated to the status of a basilica minor by Pope Pius XII in 1951. The church underwent several renovations and restorations over the years, most notably in 1991, when the interior was painted in a brighter color scheme. The church remains an active and vibrant center of worship and community for the Pradl district.

Architecture of the Pradler Church

The architecture of the Pradler Church is a harmonious blend of German and northern Italian Romanesque elements. The facade is intricately designed, with a rich structure and the use of quarry stone. The two-tone geometric pattern and the lion portal draw influence from Lombard Romanesque style. The gable facade features lateral buttresses, a rose window, and a dwarf gallery. The tympanum features a high rectangular marble relief depicting the Annunciation to Mary, followed by four separate panels depicting scenes from the Old Testament. The reliefs were created in 1907 by Munich sculptor Joseph Köpf and brought to life by Innsbruck stonemasonry company Josef Seeber.

The interior of the church features a three-bay, flat-roofed nave supported by marble columns, cross-vaulted aisles, a separate crossing, a flat-roofed transept, and a round apse. Due to budget constraints, a coffered ceiling made of reinforced concrete using the Hennebique technique was installed in the nave instead of the originally planned larch wood ceiling. In 1991, during the renovation, the coffers were painted in a blue color, reminiscent of the style found in Romanesque churches. The church also features a remarkable collection of stained glass windows, depicting various scenes from the life of Mary and the saints. The windows were designed by various artists, such as Ludwig Schaffrath, Max Weiler, and Martin Häusle. The church also has a large organ, built in 1910 by the Walcker company from Ludwigsburg, Germany. The organ has 47 registers and 3,500 pipes, and is considered one of the finest instruments in Tyrol.

Art of the Pradler Church

The art of the Pradler Church is a reflection of the devotion and creativity of the Pradl community. The church features various artworks and furnishings that enhance the beauty and meaning of the sacred space. The marble high altar was designed by Franz Bachmann, brought to life by skilled stonemasons Linser and Seeber from Innsbruck in the years 1931 and 1932. The tabernacle and candlesticks were created by Jakob Rappel, a skilled goldsmith from Schwaz. The high altar features a painting of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, surrounded by angels and saints, by Tyrolean painter Josef Schöpf. The painting was originally located in the chapel of St. Cassian, and was transferred to the new church in 1908. The high altar also features statues of St. Cassian and St. Joseph, as well as four reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Mary: the Presentation in the Temple, the Visitation, the Assumption, and the Coronation.

The left side altar was initially intended to be a Don Bosco altar, but it was never realized. Instead, the altar features a painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, by Tyrolean painter Anton Kirchebner, from 1910. The altar also features statues of St. John Bosco and St. Dominic Savio, as well as four reliefs depicting scenes from the life of Jesus: the Nativity, the Baptism, the Transfiguration, and the Resurrection.

The Christ the King altar on the right side was designed in 1939 by Hans Buchgschwenter, featuring a remarkable wooden figure of the risen Christ accompanied by two angels. Buchgschwenter is responsible for creating many other furnishings in the church, including the wrought-iron Apostle crosses from 1938, the pulpit featuring reliefs depicting the multiplication of bread and the promise of the Eucharist from 1939, the communion bench from 1940, the confessionals in 1953 and the Ambo, which features reliefs of the symbols of the Evangelists in 1981.

The wrought-iron railing that separates the vestibule from the church was designed by Fritz Müller and crafted by Josef Foit in 1928. The trellis, influenced by Art Nouveau, depicts Christ in the mandorla, with the four evangelist symbols surrounding him. The church also features a bronze statue of St. Cassian, by sculptor Josef Bachlechner, from 1927. The statue stands on a pedestal in front of the church, facing Pradler Strasse. The statue honors the patron saint of the Pradl district, as well as the teachers and students who live and work there.

Innsbruck, Austria