Pfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt Feldkirchen

The church's first documented reference was in 1285 and is often referred to as "Maria im Dorn" ("Mary in the thorn bush"). According to the legend, an ox lay down on front of a thorn bush in which there hung a picture of the Virgin Mary. It was repeatedly taken to the church of Michaeli but every night was found to have been replaced in the thorn bush. The parish priest allowed the building of a chapel to mark the spot, which stand in front of the present-day church. A neo-Gothic shrine in the church square pays homage to the legend. The inner courtyard of the church has a Romanesque "bone house" and is surrounded by a defence wall and round fortified tower. Church: Gothic pointed arched portal supported by two Romanesque budding capitals. A Biedermeier staircase leads to the church tower with is baroque helm roof. Inside the church: Consists of three naves with fan, star and cross vaults (the middle one originally Romanesque. The choir tower is the longest surviving section of the church with thirteenth century frescoes depicting the lamb, Christ as world ruler, prophet and apostle heads, Evangelist symbols and angel figures. 1986 saw the building of the west hall-whereby the high altar complete with a sculpture of Martin with the goose; originally at the winged altar which was late stolen. Since 1991 the Marin-Pflüger-organ has stood on the site of the triumphal arch wall. It was amongst the rubble fo the tower room behind it that the Gothic pewter bottle was found. The keystone of the gothic vaulting shows the Bamberg coat of arms (lion with a ribbon). In the right pillar of the tower, a bust of a Roman Hercules can be seen. There is a Gothic fresco depicting the procession of the Three Kings. Above it, there is an uncovered passion fresco by Master Friedrich of Villacher. In the apse of the northern aisle one can see the remains of a Gothic winged altar from the daughter church of Tschahitsch. A painting of the resurrected Christ is at the front, whilst at the back, one of the Veil of Veronica. In addition there is a Gothic tombstone of the Bamberg administrator, C. Scheit and his wife and also the marks of Gothic stonemasons and a Gothic crucifix. The path through the old town leads through Schulhausgasse (Schoolhouse Street), where there was a primary school with two classes. The first class. The first class had 100 pupils and the third, 20 since after one school year, the majority had to be home schooled. The path continues past the second primary school and an Art Noveau building, built by the architect Missioni, the Sparkasse bank (with floral motifs and beehive symbols), Bamberger-Platz (Postplatz) and down through Kirchgasse, formerly Herrengasse, with two office blocks from the period of industrial expansion.

Opening times