Description of the attraction
The Parish Church of Sölden is located in the center of this popular Tyrolean health resort. It is consecrated in honor of the feast of Mary's Visit to Saint Elizabeth.
The first mention of this building dates back to 1288. However, like many other old Austrian churches, it has undergone many reconstructions and alterations, during which the distinctive elements of one or another architectural style came to the fore. In 1521, the temple was rebuilt in a style typical of the late Gothic, and in 1752 the church was given the features of the Baroque era, and the building itself was greatly increased in size. Another work was carried out already in the XX century - in 1975 an elegant exit decorated with empores was equipped.
The church itself is a small building, painted white. Particularly noteworthy are the old Gothic choirs, made in the shape of an octagon, as well as the elegant bell tower, crowned with a pointed spire painted in dark chestnut.
As for the interior of the church, first of all, it is worth noting the high pointed ceilings in the choir, which is typical for Gothic churches. At the same time, the walls and ceiling were painted a little later - in 1779. The main altar of the temple was made even earlier - in the fifties of the 18th century. It features a Baroque painting by Grasmire depicting the Lamentation of Christ surrounded by carved wood sculptures. The pulpit, decorated with statues of the four evangelists, dates back to the same time. But another altar, smaller in size, was made already in the XX century - in 1978. But they managed to preserve an ancient organ dating back to 1750. The church bell was cast even earlier - in 1590.
It is also worth visiting the old church cemetery, as well as the memorial chapel with a steep gable roof. This small rectangular building, located to the south of the temple itself, was erected in the middle of the 16th century, and on the territory of the cemetery itself you can find many interesting tombstones and forged crosses of the 18th-19th centuries.
