Photo: Alpbachtal Tourismus

Stadtpfarrkirche zum Hl. Virgil

Rattenberg, Tyrol

A first church was built in Rattenberg towards the end of the 13th century; it was first documented in 1299. The current building was constructed starting in 1473 under the master builders Christian Nickinger and Jörg Steyrer. The special feature of the church is that it has two full naves, the Bürgerschiff (citizens' nave) in the north and the Knappenschiff (miners' nave) in the south. While the late Gothic appearance was preserved on the exterior, the interior underwent a complete redesign in Baroque forms around the end of the first third of the 18th century. Anton and Augustin Gigl as well as Engelmund Lambs were responsible for the stucco work, and Simon Benedikt Faistenberger and Matthäus Günther for the ceiling paintings. The high altar in the Bürgerschiff shows Saint Virgil in a depiction by Jakub Zanusi. The accompanying figures are by Martin Waldner. The high altar in the Knappenschiff is also adorned with a painting by Jakob Zanusi, which prominently features Saint Anne. The accompanying figures are works by Meinrad Guggenbichler. The altar of the Knappenschiff also contains a relic of Saint Virgil in a contemporary reliquary. At the back, in the area of the gallery access, is the Notburgakapelle, while a Lourdes Grotto lines the staircase down to the town.