Parish Church of St. Hippolytus in Zell am See
The parish church of St. Hippolyt is one of the oldest sacral buildings in Pinzgau and is located in the center of Zell am See. Its history dates back to the 8th century and is reflected in various architectural periods – from the Ottonian crypt and the Romanesque basic structure to the late Gothic west gallery. In addition to its art-historical significance, the church remains a vibrant place of worship and a venue for cultural events.
Short info:
- Where is it located? Stadtplatz 5b, 5700 Zell am See
- When is it open? Freely accessible every day
- How much does the entrance fee cost? Admission is free
- Is the church barrier-free? Yes, access is barrier-free
- When do church services take place? Sun. 10:30; Wed. 8:00, Fri. 19:00
From the “cella” to the Romanesque basilica
The history of the church begins in 743 with the donation of the site "Bisonzio" to the Salzburg church. The church was first documented as a bishop's private church around 788. An Ottonian hall church with a crypt was built in the 10th century – at a time when Archbishop Odalbert fled to Pinzgau from the Hungarian invasions. The western crypt of this church has survived to this day.
A three-aisled pillar basilica of the High and Late Romanesque style was built on this site in the 12th and 13th centuries. The main apse and the cross-ribbed vaults of the choir square and the side aisles date from the Early Gothic period. The Gothic vaulting of the central nave was destroyed in the great city fire of 1770.
SLate Gothic and Neo-Gothic additions
A prominent feature of the church is the late Gothic west gallery, dating from 1514/15. It occupies the entire width of the nave and is supported by four octagonal columns of Adnet marble. A richly decorated net-ribbed vault spans above it, and the front is decorated with tracery and keel arches. The 36-meter-high west tower, with stepped gables and star-ribbed vaulting, dates from around 1450.
During the renovation phase between 1898 and 1904, the neo-Gothic high altar, side altars, and three stained-glass windows in the choir were created. The people's altar and ambo were added in 2000.
Works of art and historical traces
The interior features important figures and works of art. Two Gothic wooden figures from the workshop of Andreas Lackner (around 1520) depict the church's patron saint, Hippolytus, as a knight and St. Florian. A late Gothic crucifix, Baroque statues of St. Nepomuk and St. Joseph, and a neo-Gothic depiction of the Virgin Mary from the pilgrimage church "Maria im Wald," which burned down in 1770, complete the furnishings.
The neo-Gothic high altar by Josef Bachlechner depicts scenes of the Last Supper and the Deposition of the Apostles. To the right and left are Gothic statues of the patron saints, Rupert (with a salt cellar) and Virgil (with a model of the church). The stained-glass windows in the apse depict St. Hippolytus, St. Stephen, and St. Lawrence.
Frescoes and tombstones
During the restoration from 1972 to 1975, important wall paintings were uncovered. In the north aisle (today's baptistery) is a 14th-century St. Catherine cycle. Particularly impressive are the frescoes to the right and left of the high altar depicting Christ, the Evangelists, and the Apostles—strongly in the style of Albrecht Dürer.
The church also preserves valuable marble tombstones from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. The oldest dates from 1372 and was created for Dimud, the sister of Bishop Friedrich II of Chiemsee.
Organ and musical program
The organ was inaugurated in 1981. It was built by the Reinisch-Pirchner organ building company, and the disposition was designed by Prof. Kurt Neuhauser. The case and color scheme were designed by Zell artist Richard Hirschbäck. The acoustics of the west gallery make it particularly suitable for concerts.
Rate us and Write a Review
| day | opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00 – 18:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00 – 18:00 |
Close by
4* New Post Upside Down Town Hotel
- Am Schloßpl. 2, 5700 Zell am See
Hotel Latini ****
- Kitzsteinhornstraße 4, 5700 Zell am See
Mitterberg near Zell am See
- Mitterbergweg 155, 5700 Zell am See
TAUERN SPA Kaprun
- Tauern Spa Str. 1, 5710 Kaprun
Maisi Flitzer in Kaprun
- Kitzsteinhornplatz 12, 5710 Kaprun
