Description of the attraction
The Church of the Heart of Jesus, or the Church of the Sacred Heart, is the largest neo-Gothic church in Bregenz, Austria. The church is located on the eastern shore of Lake Constance, towering majestically over the Lower Town. Belongs to the diocese of Feldkirch.
The church was built mainly with donations from ordinary citizens of the city of Bregenz back in 1905. The building was designed by the renowned Stuttgart-based architect Joseph Kades. According to the plans, the church was supposed to have an almost cruciform appearance, as well as a basilica with two towers 62 meters high in the neo-gothic style, made of brick. The most important feature of the basilica is the tall lantern.
The church was built very quickly, in almost a year. Completion of the work was celebrated on October 21, 1906. Over the years of its existence, the church has changed, and has acquired its present appearance in the last decade.
At the start of World War II, altars were built in the Gothic Renaissance style. On the altar there are statues and reliefs, including those dedicated to the birth of Christ, as well as: the sacrificial lamb, Christ on the Mount of Olives. There are beautiful colored glass windows above the main altar. Another pride of the church - the organ, created by Joseph Behman, appeared in 1931. The instrument has an amazing sound that can still be heard today. The organ was repaired twice - in 1953 and in 1992. In 1963, cracks were discovered on two bells, as a result of which they had to be replaced with new ones.
In 1969, the reconstruction of the temple was carried out. In the early 90s, underfloor heating was installed in the church to better heat such a large space. The jubilee service was held on November 23, 2008 in honor of the centenary of the church. Today the church attracts the attention of tourists, being one of the symbols of Bregenz.
