Franciscan Church of Our Lady: Gothic Splendor in Salzburg
The Franciscan Church of Our Lady in Salzburg impresses with its imposing Gothic architecture and rich furnishings. Originally built in the 8th century, it is one of the oldest churches in the city. Its towering choir, late Gothic vault and baroque altars make it an important religious and architectural landmark of Salzburg.
brief information:
- What is the Franciscan Church? The Franciscan Church, one of the oldest churches in Salzburg, has served as the convent church of the Franciscans since 1592.
- Where is it located?Sigmund-Haffner-Gasse 13, 5020 Salzburg
- What is there to see there? A beautiful high altar and several choir chapels
- When are the opening hours? Daily 6.45am-7.45pm; No visits possible during the service!
- How much does the entrance fee cost? Free
- How much time should I plan for? 20 minutes
The name
The original name of the old parish church was “Our Lady”. In 1592, the church was handed over to the Franciscan order, which had been brought to Salzburg at that time, which led to the name being changed, similar to the Capuchins who had moved to Salzburg at about the same time. Salzburg came.
The story
The history of the Franciscan church in Salzburg goes back a long way. Originally built as the church “Zu Unserer Lieben Frau”, it was already first half of the 8th century It was restored under Abbot-Bishop Virgil and served as a baptismal and synodal church. Over the centuries, it passed through various monastic orders and was finally handed over to the Franciscans in 1592. The current church, whose origins date back to the 12th century, was extensively renovated in the 15th century under the direction of Master Hans von Burghausen. Interestingly, in the 18th century, Archbishop Colloredo planned to demolish the church, which was considered "unattractive", in favor of a Roman rotunda, but this plan was abandoned for various reasons and the Franciscan church remained.
The architecture
The Franciscan Church in Salzburg combines various architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque. The west façade, originally from the 13th century, was redesigned in the Baroque style in the 18th century. The interior consists of a three-bay central nave and six-bay side aisles with various vaults. The Gothic hall choir, which is higher and brighter than the Romanesque nave, impresses with a star-rib vault.
The high altar, designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, contains the Madonna and Child by Michael Pacher. The church has 9 choir chapels and three organs, including the Marien organ from 1989, built by the organ building company Metzler. This architectural masterpiece reflects the historical development of church architecture.
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