Annakirche Mittersill

St. Anna Church Until the great market fire of 1746, the old Leonhard Church from around 1300 stood at the site of today's St. Anna Church. Since this location in the market was frequently flooded by high water, it was decided to rebuild the main church further south at the current site. The still usable interior furnishings (altars and benches) of the destroyed church were incorporated into the new parish church. At the same time, the smaller Annakirche was built on the vacant site and was consecrated after only three years of construction. "Milder Stifter" was Dean Johann Hofer from Zell am Ziller, a native of Mittersill and son of a well-known merchant family. In October 1754, both churches were consecrated by Archbishop Sigismund v. Schrattenbach. The fresco paintings inside the walls and ceiling, probably also the altar picture, are by the Schwaz Rococo painter Christoph Anton Mayr. In vivid colors, they depict the life of Mother Anna, from the Annunciation of the birth of Mary to her death and her assumption into heaven. At the high altar, the Holy Kinship, the relatives of Jesus, are depicted. The statues show St. Zechariah and the "cousin" Elizabeth, John the Baptist, and John the Apostle, to whom Jesus entrusted his mother at the cross. The altar picture shows Mother Anna, Joachim the father of Mary, and the young Mary. A group of figures from the old parish church or Annakapelle Anna Selbdritt from 1671 is lent to the cathedral chapter chapel in Salzburg. The Annakirche was leased in 1955 to the Evangelical parish (preaching station). Since 1962, a stone sculpture by Josef Zenzmaier depicting the "Good Shepherd" has stood in the niche on the west side. It replaces a Baroque statue of Leonhard, which is now in the local history museum. For decades, the Annakirche has also been a venue for "New Music" concerts as part of the annual Mittersill Composer Forum. These concerts commemorate the tragic death of the composer and twelve-tone music advocate Anton von Webern. A memorial plaque was installed in his honor in front of the church. Those wishing to learn more about our Annakirche can read in Oswald Scherer's church guide or in the local chronicle "MITTERSILL – from market to city" (page 283).