Description of the attraction
The first mention of the church in the Austrian Alpbach dates back to 1369, but at that time there was only a small village church, which in 1420 was completely rebuilt and consecrated in the name of the Scottish king - St. Oswald. In 1720, another rebuilding in the Baroque style followed, leaving only the central tower from the previous structure.
Alpbach belonged to the Reith parish for quite a long time, but in 1556 its own vicariate arose here, and in 1891 an independent parish.
The main altar of the church was erected by local craftsmen from the Bletzacher von Hansler family and is decorated with a painting by Thomas Gwerher of Brixlegg depicting St. Oswald himself, as well as Martin and Katarina. The statues around the altar were carved by Franz Stoeckl of Hall.
The altar of the Virgin Mary, although inferior to the main one in importance, is decorated much more interesting and richer. It is to him that numerous pilgrims strive to bow to Mary the Victorious, laying a pink wreath on the head of St. Dominic.
The organ of the Church of St. Oswald was built in 1777, but in 1954 it was almost completely redesigned and significantly expanded, while retaining the facade decoration in the Rococo style. The ceiling of the church was restored in 1959 and completely repainted. Currently, it is decorated with two scenes - "The Assumption of Mary" and "St. Oswald", created by the hand of Christoph Mayr of Schwaz.
The walls of the Church of St. Oswald are decorated with works of the Rococo era. Behind the church there is a cemetery, on the walls of the chapel of which "4 last things" are depicted - death, judgment, heaven and hell.
