Catholic parish and pilgrimage church of St. Wolfgang in the Salzkammergut
The Catholic parish and pilgrimage church of St. Wolfgang is a listed church building in St. Wolfgang in the Salzkammergut in the Gmunden district ( Upper Austria ). The massive building that defines the townscape stands directly on the north-eastern shore of Lake Wolfgang on a rock. The parish belongs to the dean's office Bad Ischl in the diocese of Linz .
History and architecture
Predecessor churches
The oldest documented mention of the pilgrimage church , as a branch church of the Mondsee monastery parish, dates from 1183. The presence of a stone church is mentioned in a document from 1291.
The oldest known predecessor church is the Johanneskirche, it was supposedly built by St. Wolfgang von Regensburg in 976. A Romanesque church was later built next to it , which met the demands of the blossoming pilgrimage ; it was changed and enlarged several times; Ulrich the mason carried out the last renovation in 1413. The outlines of this church correspond to those of the forged lattice around the double altar by Schwanthaler.
The building was destroyed by fire in 1429, three late Romanesque portals have been preserved. The then abbot Simon Reuchlin von Mondsee ordered a new building.
Today's church
A two-aisled , very short building was erected, with the main altar at the front . This is exactly where Wolfgang's place of worship was located. Today this is the western part with the unevenly wide ships. At that time, a monk's convent was founded as a kind of branch of Mondsee to look after the pilgrims . The prayer room necessary for the monks was added to the wider nave. The two parts of the church were separated by a rood screen. At the end of the 17th century, Abbot Cölestin Colb had the rood screen torn down so that a view of the Pacher Altar was free. Instead of the old pilgrim altar to St. Wolfgang, Thomas Schwanthaler built a large double altar. Today the Wolfgang shrines and the statue of grace are kept on the left. The Wolfgang cell was rebuilt in 1713 with a rococo chapel and attached to the church. The church is essentially still in the late Gothic style .
The interior is a wide Gothic hall . The walls and ceilings are almost entirely painted with baroque ornamental frescoes . In the choir , the 14 helpers and four church teachers are shown on the ceiling ; The focus is on Jesus and Mary .
The massive building stands on high retaining walls. On the lake side there is a smaller courtyard and an arcade . A Gothic bust from around 1400 depicting Wolfgang is attached in the arched area above the southern gate, a transfigured head of Christ can be seen above the western gate and a relief with the Lamb of God above the walled northern gate . All three portals are remains of the church that burned down in 1429.
Wolfgangizelle and Bußstein
Originally the Bußstein and the Wolfgangi cell stood outside the church building, they were incorporated into the church in 1713 through an extension.
Pilgrimage
The pilgrimage was first mentioned in a document in 1306, and the document shows that the pilgrimage started much earlier. A hostel was built for the pilgrims in 1315. From then on, the number of pilgrims increased steadily until the Reformation . After that, the veneration decreased and two decades later it increased again. Only in the Enlightenment period under Emperor Josef II was the pilgrimage abandoned because all pilgrimages where the believers stayed overnight were banned. The pilgrimage recovered very slowly, only in the 20th century more pilgrims came again, but the numbers of that time were never reached. Around 80 groups of pilgrims arrive by bus each year, and some organize longer pilgrimages on foot.
The pilgrims' fountain on a terrace above the market square was an important part of the pilgrimage. The abbot Wolfgang Haberl von Mondsee, a friend of Emperor Maximilian I, had the fountain built. The fountain was cast from bell metal by Lienhard Rännacher in 1515 based on a design by Peter Müllich, the casting was carried out in Passau. It bears the following inscription on the edge of the fountain: To use and frumen of the poor pihgrumb dye nit have valid umb wine dye should be pey dissem water of course . The facility is crowned by a statue depicting Wolfgang. Under the water pipes there are four urinating naked men. The base of the fountain is decorated with allegorical figures. The roof is important in terms of art history; it is one of the earliest Renaissance monuments in the country.
Legends
According to tradition, the church was built by Bishop Wolfgang von Regensburg. Bishop Wolfgang von Regensburg came to the Benedictine monastery Mondsee in 976 and then went on to the Abersee area (Wolfgangsee). Living as a hermit on the Falkenstein , he made the decision to build a church. The famous hatchet was supposed to decide the location as a divine providence. Wolfgang threw a hoe into the valley from the Falkenstein. He vowed to build a church and a hermitage where it would be pitched . After three days of searching, he found the ax on a rocky hill; he immediately began building a church. When Wolfgang missed his usual prayer time on a Sunday, he threw himself on the hard rock to repent. The rock, however, softened and made the prints of his hands and feet. Wolfgang gained the opinion that God had shown him that he was in his grace. This penitential stone is preserved in the area of the church, some pilgrims believe that it is surrounded by so-called positive energy .
A time after the completion of the church, Wolfgang wanted to move to his bishopric in Regensburg. The church moved away from its location and wanted to accompany him. Wolfgang ordered her to stay and remain still, because God wanted it that way.
Altars
Schwanthal Altar
As long as the rood screen was not torn down, the pilgrim's altar stood at this point. The altar is the work of Thomas Schwanthaler , a sculptor from Ried im Innkreis . This altar was actually supposed to be a replacement for the Pacher altar, as the Gothic altar was no longer popular in the Baroque period. Out of respect for Pacher's work, Schwanthaler is said to have persuaded the abbot of Mondsee, Kolb, not to remove the old altar, but to designate another place for the new one. Construction began in 1675 and finished in 1676 and is high baroque.
The altar is richly decorated with figures, there are 68 angels and angel heads alone; the most beautiful are the angels on the sides of the tabernacle , they swing a censer . The right half of the altar is used as a sacrament altar . The figure of Wolfgang is enthroned above the tabernacle, surrounded by angels who carry his attributes . In the left half of the altar there is a figure of Wolfgang from around 1430, it is the miraculous image and goal of the pilgrimage. The figure wears a wrinkled choir coat and has distinctive facial features. The Holy Family is shown on their pilgrimage to the temple in Jerusalem . On each side of the altar is a large figure, the saints Benedict and Scholastica. The coronation of Mary is shown in the upper part, accompanied by John the Baptist and Christopher. St. Michael, the patron saint of Mondsee's monastery, crowns the altar. The surrounding grille was forged in 1559 and is painted.
Other altars
- The best- known piece of equipment is the Pacher altar . The winged altar with three sides is the only completely preserved altar of Michael Pacher .
- The two marble altars were made in 1713 by the court artist Jakob Zanusi from Salzburg .
- A pupil of Guggenbichler, Anton Koch, made the Joseph altar in 1740. This used to serve as an altar for the male pilgrims. The altarpiece shows the death of Joseph of Nazareth . St. Simon, a baroque work, is endowed with a flowing beard.
- The Anna Altar was also built by Anton Koch. The altarpiece shows Anna with her daughter Maria. This altar was previously used for the female pilgrims.
- The cross altar is also a work by Guggenbichler. The altarpiece shows St. Gertrude as intercessor for the poor souls . The gestures of the assistance figures, Johannes and Maria, are expressive. At this altar, prayers are said for the dead.
- The rosary altar was also built by Guggenbichler. The altar looks cluttered with a large number of sculptures. The altar is covered over and over by angel figures with lovely expressions, they carry the symbols of the Mother of God. On the left, Abraham is shown leading his son Isaac to the sacrificial site. On the other hand, the archangel Raphael leads Tobias. A theological theme served as the basis for the altarpiece.
Furnishing
- On the outside of the Wolfgang chapel, opposite the pilgrims' fountain, there is a baroque figure of Wolfgang from the * school of Guggenbichler.
- The life of Wolfgang is told on two old boards hanging next to the west portal.
- The Gothic apostle fresco was heavily painted over. The fresco above shows the Assumption of Mary, it was created in 1636 and is considered poor work. On the opposite wall is the fresco Michael fighting the devils .
- In the sacristy some items are kept that remind of Wolfgang's stay, they are not accessible to the public.
- The pulpit is the work of the Mondsee monastery sculptor, Meinrad Guggenbichler . Guggenbichler is known for his charming depictions of children. Angels playing with lambs lie on the sound cover at the feet of the good shepherd . The parapet is decorated with representations of the church fathers and the wonders of Wolfgang are shown on the green pictures. An arm holding a cross protrudes from the parapet.
- The suffering savior is considered to be one of the most beautiful baroque wood carvings in Austria. Meinrad Guggenbichler created the statue from a hollowed out piece of wood. Christ shows his wounds and the instruments of suffering with astonishing gestures . The presentation looks very real with a moving impression.
organ
The exterior design of the organ was created in 1629 by Hans Waldburger in the late Renaissance style, who furnished it with figures depicting Wolfgang and Benedict. In 1980 Beckerath GmbH built a new instrument with 28 registers (II / P) into the old case. In 1988 two pedal registers were exchanged, in 2005 “Orgelbau Felsberg AG” took care of them, in 2006 the principals were re-voiced by Jean-Marie Tricoteaux and finally the organ was re-tempered according to a tuning system by Frank-Harald Greß .
literature
- Peter Pfarl: Parish Church of St. Wolfgang. Ed .: Catholic Parish Office St. Wolfgang, printing: Upper Austrian State Publishing House Linz.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Location of the church ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Reference to the dean's office and diocese ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ documentary mentions ( memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Founding of the previous church ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link has been inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ a b Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic parish office of St. Wolfgang, print: Upper Austrian Provincial Publishing House Linz, page 6
- ↑ Outline of the old church ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic parish office of St. Wolfgang, printed by: Oberösterreichischer Landesverlag Linz, pages 7 and 8
- ↑ Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic Parish Office St. Wolfgang, print: Upper Austrian Provincial Publishing House Linz, page 8
- ↑ Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic parish office of St. Wolfgang, print: Upper Austrian Provincial Publishing House Linz, page 9
- ↑ Inclusion of the Wolfgangi cell and the penitentiary stone ( memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Pilgrimage ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic parish office of St. Wolfgang, print: Upper Austrian Provincial Publishing House Linz, page 28
- ↑ Myths and Miracles
- ↑ Legends about Wolfgang ( Memento of the original from July 12, 2013 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic parish office of St. Wolfgang, printed by: Oberösterreichischer Landesverlag Linz, page 24
- ↑ The painting [...] of the wrought iron lattice around the Schwanthaler Altar from 1599 can be documented by sources. Cf .: Manfred Koller / Hubert Paschinger / Helmut Richard: Captured metal objects: current findings and conservation problems . In: Restauratorenblätter , Vol. 11 (1990), pp. 155-162.
- ↑ a b c d Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic Parish Office St. Wolfgang, print: Upper Austrian Provincial Publishing House Linz, page 26
- ↑ Peter Pfarl Parish Church St. Wolfgang HrsG. Catholic parish office of St. Wolfgang, print: Upper Austrian Provincial Publishing House Linz, page 22
Coordinates: 47 ° 44 ′ 16.6 " N , 13 ° 26 ′ 51.4" E