Photo: Gerhard Spengler

Kalvarienbergkirche Ebensee

Ebensee, Upper Austria

In 1690, a wooden Calvary chapel was built on the site of today's "Berghaus". Inside the chapel was a small Holy Sepulchre, and in front of the chapel, 3 wooden crosses were erected. The weather damaged the wooden chapel so much that after 80 years, a new building was considered. After a long search, the current location was chosen, and the chapel was rebuilt. In 1779, the new church was consecrated with a mass. In 1785, the church received a small bell, a few years later a second bell, and in 1813 a small organ. Over 300 steps lead up to the Kalvarienbergkirche; the wooden steps were replaced by stone steps in 1822. In 1827, the Kalvarienberg was made accessible.WAY OF THE CROSSThe 6 wayside chapels contain reliefs designed by the former director of the Ebensee Woodworking School, Hans Greil. They were crafted by him and vocational school teacher Rauchengschwandtner between 1885 and 1890.Restorations of the church: the 1st of May 1875then 1844 interior painting by church painter Hans Schendl, EbenseeStatues by August Scheck, Ebensee1972/73 interior renovationRestorations of the reliefs:1908 by a local sculptor1928 by a former vocational school student, sculptor Pachinger, Ebensee1959/60 by the Hallstatt Woodworking School1973 by the Rauch sculpture workshop, Altmünstermost recently in 2003 by Rudolf Loidl and Rudolf Fink