Radstadt Parish Church

The parish church of Radstadt is located behind the northern city wall in the municipality of Radstadt, in the district of St. Johann im Pongau, in the state of Salzburg.The parish church is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to the feast of the Assumption of Mary. It is part of the deanery of Altenmarkt in the Archdiocese of Salzburg.

In 1354, a distinct chaplain foundation was established, and it was subsequently renewed in 1395.The original patron saint was Virgil of Salzburg, but it was later changed to Assumption Day in 1618.

The construction of the nave was still ongoing in 1314.The construction of the chancel took place approximately in 1417. The church has experienced fires in 1417, 1616, 1781, and 1865, resulting in different alterations and conversions over time.In 1616, the responsibility for construction management was entrusted to the master builder, Santino Solari.Following the fire in 1865, the structure underwent a process of Romanization and was subsequently reconsecrated in 1872. The top floors of the tower were renovated in the third quarter of the 19th century. The renovations were carried out according to plans by the architect Josef Weßicken and were completed in 1879.

The late Romanesque church building, featuring a Gothic chancel and north tower, stands prominently behind the north town wall. It is situated within a cemetery, adding to its surroundings.

The basilica has a rectangular nave with three aisles. The clerestory of the nave features circular windows, which are located between slightly protruding buttresses. The lower aisles of the basilica have round-arched windows.The western facade features a prominent central projection that includes a triangular gable designed in the neo-Romanesque style.The western portal of the building features a chamfered, round-arched design. Above the portal, there is a relief tympanum. Adjacent to the tympanum, there is a round-arched niche with a circular window. Above the niche, there are triplet windows. Additionally, each of the side aisle areas is adorned with a round-arched window.The west front is adorned with decorative round arch friezes featuring dentils.

The Gothic chancel, built around 1417, features a raised polygonal end adorned with quadruple stepped buttresses. These buttresses are embellished with small gables and trefoil tracery.The tall, pointed arch windows feature tracery dating back to the third quarter of the 19th century.The one-story sacristy in the southern choir corner seamlessly extends from the aisle.

The tower located in the northern choir corner is comprised of six floors that are separated by friezes and corner bevels. On the fifth floor, there are bifore windows, while the sixth floor features coupled windows with three columns. These architectural elements were added around 1887. The tower is completed with triangular gables and a pyramidal spire.The tower displays the coat of arms of Salzburg Archbishop Markus Sittikus von Hohenems on both its eastern and western sides.On the second floor, there is a chiseled head enclosed by a wall to the east.

The nave of the building consists of three aisles and five bays. The central nave features ribbed vaulting, with belt arches supported by wall templates on low pillars. These pillars are adorned with capitals, and the side aisles are characterized by round arches.The aisles feature groined vaults and belt arches.The gallery, which is supported by round arches, features a parapet adorned with quatrefoil tracery.The triumphal arch has a circular shape.The Gothic choir, consisting of three bays, is elevated above the nave and features a distinctive five-eighth note.The chancel is adorned with a Gothic rib vault featuring services, belt ribs, and round keystones.

There are a total of eight pictures displayed on the high walls of the central nave, with one of them being named “Josef Gold” and created between 1911 and 1912.The stained glass in the chancel features pointed-arch tracery windows created by Josef Widmoser in 1959.

A tabernacle, featuring a crucifix crafted by the renowned sculptor Herbert J. Schneider in 1961, is located behind the modest high altar.

The northern side altar features a copy of the Sacred Heart image, which is displayed in a baroque frame. This replica is modeled after the original image found in St. Stephen’s in Vienna.The carving of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with a halo was created by Johann Piger around 1885.