Parish Church of St. Stephan in Tulln: A landmark with over 1000 years of history
The parish church of St. Stephan in Tulln is one of the most important historical buildings in the city and its striking twin towers dominate the cityscape. Its origins date back to the 11th century and over the centuries the church has developed into an impressive building that combines various architectural styles. Visitors can embark on an exciting journey through the history of the church and marvel at outstanding works of art.
Short info:
- Where is the parish church of St. Stephan? In the center of Tulln, Wiener Straße 20
- What are the highlights? The high altar, the Apostles' Gate, the choir stalls
- Is there an entrance fee? No
- opening hours? Mon-Fri 8am-7pm, Sat 8am-8pm, Sun 8am-6pm
A church with deep historical roots
The parish church of St. Stephan has a long and eventful history. Its origins go back to the year 1014, when Emperor Henry II donated the royal property to the Bishopric of Passau to build the church. The church's current appearance dates from the 12th century, when the two side aisles were added and the three-aisled pillar basilica was created. With its 49-meter-high towers, which can be seen from afar, the church is an unmistakable landmark of Tulln.
Unique architecture and artistic details
The parish church of St. Stephen combines several architectural styles. The Ottonian-Romanesque core contrasts with the Gothic choir stalls and the Baroque towers. The Aposteltor, the Romanesque west portal, is particularly impressive and is one of the most important historical elements of the church. Inside, the church impresses with its magnificent marble high altar, which originally came from the dissolved Carmelite monastery in St. Pölten and was brought to Vienna in 1786. Tulln was transferred.
The artistically crafted choir stalls and the side altars, which date from the second half of the 18th century, are also particularly worth seeing. The nave, which was built in the early Gothic style in the 13th century, impresses with its wide pointed arches resting on octagonal pillars.
The Bells of St. Stephen
A special highlight of the parish church of St. Stephan is the carillon. The impressive "Pummerin" hangs in the north tower, while the other bells are housed in the south tower. During the two world wars, numerous bells had to be handed in and melted down, but after the Second World War they were returned from the collection point. For the church's 1000th anniversary in 2014, three new bells were cast and have been complementing the chimes ever since.
The Organ: A Masterpiece of Organ Building
The organ in the parish church of St. Stephan was built between 1958 and 1960 by the Upper Austrian organ building company St. Florian. With its 37 registers, it is an impressive instrument that is regularly heard at church services and concerts.
A look behind the church: The Tullner Ossuary
Behind the parish church of St. Stephan is the Tullner Karner, a former ossuary and a chapel. This historic site is worth a visit to gain a deeper insight into medieval burial culture.
The parish church of St. Stephan is an impressive building that combines art, history and religious significance. A visit to Tulln is hard to imagine without a visit to this historical jewel – here you can feel the history of the city at every turn.
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