Photo: Wundsam

Pfarrkirche Engelhartszell "Mariä Himmelfahrt"

Engelhartszell, Upper Austria

The beautiful parish church of Engelhartszell is enthroned on a rock in the town center and can be reached from the market via a staircase with 62 steps. The church features a remarkable baroque interior. A rarity is hidden in the triumphal arch to the chancel: Behind the statue of Saint John, one can see a rectangular recess – the mounting for a rood screen! In the Middle Ages, the chancel (=altar area) was only accessible to clergy and was separated from the “secular” nave by an richly decorated partition, the rood screen. Here in the parish church, a crucifixion group was located in front of the rood screen, which we can still see today on the outer wall above the main portal. After the Council of Trent in the 16th century, these separating barriers were removed from most churches and high altars, clearly visible to everyone, were introduced - learn to read church architecture! History: From 1459 to 1503: A marble plaque in the presbytery and a citizen's coat of arms at the southern entrance indicate that the choir was built in 1459 and the nave in 1503. The Gothic market church was consecrated on August 12, 1509, by Bishop Urban of Passau. In 1764, the church was artistically baroque-ized by the Tyrolean sculptor Joseph Deutschmann. The Gothic spire was also likely replaced by an onion dome. Old gravestones on the outer walls bear witness to the historical significance of the market. Built on a rock in the town center, the parish church, visible from afar, defines the image of Engelhartszell. From the market, 62 steps lead up to a circular path with a beautiful view of the town. By car: from B130 Nibelungen Straße - turn left onto Sauwald Straße - Pfarrkirche Maria Himmelfahrt