In the charming town of Völkermarkt, nestled in the picturesque landscape of Austria, stands the Pfarrkirche St. Ruprecht, a beacon of history and architectural splendor. This Roman Catholic parish church, surrounded by a serene cemetery, offers visitors a glimpse into the rich tapestry of history and culture that defines this region. With origins tracing back to the 8th century, the church is not only a place of worship but also a testament to the enduring legacy of faith and community.
The roots of Pfarrkirche St. Ruprecht are steeped in antiquity, with its founding attributed to Bishop Modestus around 760 AD. By 1043, it had gained prominence as the mother church of the three Hemma churches in the Trixnertal. The church's historical journey continued as it became the seat of an archdeacon in 1148. In 1231, Archbishop Eberhard II established a collegiate chapter here, which was later moved to the city parish church of St. Magdalena by 1248. Despite the turbulent times marked by Turkish and Hungarian invasions, which saw the church lose some of its significance, it remained a vital part of the local community, transitioning to a filial church and later becoming a suburb parish in 1798.
The architectural journey of Pfarrkirche St. Ruprecht is a captivating tale of transformation and resilience. The Romanesque structure, dating back to the 12th and 13th centuries, has undergone several renovations, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries. The chancel tower, a distinctive feature of the church, retains its original Romanesque articulation up to half its height, adorned with a blind arcade frieze. Above this, the octagonal structure with a pointed helmet, inspired by North Italian designs, was added in 1857.
The nave of the church is a harmonious blend of styles, with broad pilasters and a neo-Gothic blind arcade frieze beneath the eaves. The west façade is a visual delight, featuring neo-Gothic blind and rose windows. The Romanesque west portal is particularly noteworthy, incorporating a Roman-era coffered ceiling slab from a tomb into its tympanum. A Gothic chapel extension on the southern side of the nave, complete with buttresses, dates back to the 14th century, while the profiled, ogee-arched portal was added in the 15th century.
Stepping inside the church, visitors are greeted by a single-nave structure divided into four bays by robust, recessed pillars. A fifth bay, separated as the altar area, is adorned with a semi-dome. The barrel vault with pointed caps, dating from around 1800, adds to the grandeur of the interior. The organ loft, crafted by Martin Hohenberger in 1886, stands majestically over a broad segmental arch in the western bay.
The southern chapel, with its single bay and three-sided apse, boasts a cross-ribbed vault from the 14th century and tracery windows from the 19th century. The sacristy, located on the ground floor of the Romanesque chancel tower, features a groin vault with four pointed caps. The sacrament niche on the north wall of the chancel tower, dating back to around 1470, is framed by painted crab and tracery-decorated buttresses and pillars, with a Vera-Icon depiction in the tympanum.
The church houses an array of artistic and historical treasures. The high altar, assembled in 1815/16 from parts of the side altar of the former Augustinian church, features a crucifix crafted around 1510 at its center. The left Marian altar, dating from around 1750, showcases a statue of the Virgin Mary flanked by St. Anne and St. Joachim. The right side altar, with a 20th-century painting of St. Anthony Abbot in a Baroque frame, adds to the church's artistic richness.
Alois Progar's neo-Gothic altar shrine in the side chapel, created in 1910, depicts the adoration of the Madonna by St. Aloysius, with an angel holding the cloth of Christ in the predella. The pulpit, from the first quarter of the 18th century, is adorned with paintings of the four Evangelists on the parapet panels.
As visitors explore the church, they encounter medieval stained glass from the early 14th century, depicting saints Rupert and Nicholas, as well as a Madonna with a child from the mid-15th century. These artworks, along with a painting of St. Dorothea with a donor from around 1440/1450, have been housed in the Landesmuseum Klagenfurt since 1883.
The church's rich collection also includes a 17th-century figure of Archangel Michael with a soul scale, neo-Gothic figures of a seated Christ as the world's judge, and saints Rupert and Virgil created by Alois Gapp in 1874. The oil painting of St. Francis with a crucifix, dating from the 19th century, and the Stations of the Cross paintings by Josef von Führich, crafted in 1909, further enhance the church's artistic heritage.
Adjacent to the church, the Karner, a late Romanesque round building with a once horseshoe-shaped apse, now replaced by a Gothic choir with lancet windows, houses the Michaelskapelle. First documented in 1339, this chapel now serves as a soldiers' memorial, offering a poignant reminder of the past.
Pfarrkirche St. Ruprecht is more than just a church; it is a living chronicle of history, art, and faith. Its walls whisper stories of centuries gone by, inviting visitors to step back in time and experience the enduring spirit of Völkermarkt. Whether you are a history enthusiast, an architecture lover, or simply seeking a moment of reflection, this church promises an unforgettable journey through the ages.
Get your Tickets now!
With myCityHunt you can discover thousands of cities around the world in exciting scavenger hunts, treasure hunts and escape games!
myCityHunt vouchers are the perfect gift for many occasions! Surprise your friends and family with this extraordinary event gift. myCityHunt gift vouchers are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase and can be used within this period for a freely selectable city and tour from the myCityHunt portfolio.
Buy Gift Vouchers
