Stiftskirche Klosterneuburg

Klosterneuburg, a charming town just north of Vienna, is home to one of Austria's most illustrious religious landmarks: the Stiftskirche Klosterneuburg. This stunning church, with its rich history and architectural splendor, is a must-visit for anyone traveling through the region. The Stiftskirche, also known as the Collegiate Church, is part of the Augustinian monastery of Klosterneuburg, which has been a spiritual and cultural center since its founding in the early 12th century.

The Origins and Early Construction

The story of the Stiftskirche begins with the Babenberg Margrave Leopold III, also known as Leopold the Saint, who laid its foundation stone on June 12, 1114. The church was initially built as a three-aisled basilica with a transept and a crossing tower. Its architectural design was influenced by prominent Romanesque cathedrals such as those in Bamberg, Regensburg, and Speyer. By 1136, the church was consecrated, featuring three semicircular apses and a tower over the crossing square.

The construction of the church was interrupted by the death of Leopold III in 1136, which led to a halt in the building of the westwork. At that time, only the northern tower of the planned double-tower facade was partially completed. The church's Romanesque chancel likely housed a stone rood screen, on which the medieval pulpit with 45 enamel panels of the Verdun Altar, created by Nicholas of Verdun between 1170 and 1181, was placed.

Gothic Enhancements

In 1330, a devastating fire ravaged the monastery, prompting significant reconstruction efforts. Under Provost Stephan von Sierndorf, the Romanesque crossing tower received a Gothic crown, and the Verdun Altar was expanded with six additional enamel panels and reverse tempera paintings. Towards the end of the 14th century, the south tower was constructed under the guidance of Provost Peter I. Lenhofer and possibly the master builder Michael Knab. However, work on the south tower was suspended in 1417, leaving it with a temporary wooden top until it was capped with a baroque onion dome in 1587/88 by Provost Balthasar Polzmann.

The Baroque Transformation

The 17th century marked the beginning of a significant Baroque transformation for the Stiftskirche. The first phase of Baroque renovation, from 1634 to 1645, saw the removal of the Romanesque crossing tower and the conversion of the basilica into a Baroque hall church with side chapels. This period also included the addition of pseudo-Gothic tracery windows and early Baroque stucco work on the west gallery. Work on the north tower was completed during this phase by master stonemason Pietro Maino Maderno and his team.

Further Baroque Enhancements

The second phase of Baroque renovation, from 1680 to 1702, brought high Baroque frescoes to the nave and transept by Johann Georg Greiner, depicting scenes such as The Virgin Mary Protecting Klosterneuburg During the Turkish Siege of 1683. The third and final phase, from 1723 to 1730, focused on the choir's redesign, transforming it into a sacred stage or Theatrum sanctum. This phase saw the installation of a new high altar made of Salzburg marble, designed by Matthias Steinl and completed by Donato Felice d’Allio, featuring a painting of the Nativity of Mary by Johann Georg Schmidt. The ceiling fresco of the Assumption of Mary by Johann Michael Rottmayr, with illusionistic architecture by Gaetano Fanti, added to the Baroque splendor.

19th Century Renovations

The 19th century brought further changes, with significant renovations occurring from 1882 to 1892 under the direction of architect Josef Schömer, following plans by Friedrich von Schmidt, the master builder of St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. This period saw the reconstruction of the south tower due to structural issues, the addition of a neo-Gothic tower story to the north tower, and the creation of a new west facade with Romanesque and Gothic elements. The interior also received new frescoes and marble work, including a romantic-Nazarene style Stations of the Cross cycle by Karl Peyfuß.

A Basilica Minor

In recognition of its historical and artistic significance, the Stiftskirche Klosterneuburg was elevated to the rank of a Basilica minor by Pope Pius XI on September 24, 1936. Today, it serves as a deanery church and parish church, dedicated to the Nativity of Mary.

Visitors to the Stiftskirche Klosterneuburg are sure to be captivated by its blend of Romanesque, Gothic, and Baroque architecture, its rich history, and its role as a spiritual and cultural landmark in Lower Austria. Whether you're an architecture enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a place of tranquility and beauty, the Stiftskirche Klosterneuburg offers a unique and enriching experience.