Description of the attraction
The Cathedral of St. James is located in the heart of the Tyrolean city of Innsbruck. Originally on this site was an old church, made in the late Romanesque style, but it was destroyed during the earthquake in 1689. The modern monumental building was built in 1717-1724 and is a masterpiece of the Austrian Baroque.
Especially worth noting is the main facade of the cathedral, which consists of three tiers, the last of which is already set aside for the tops of two elegant towers located on the sides. In 2000, a small separate chapel was installed in the south tower. The portal is also decorated with sculptures of Tyrolean saints, made already in the 20th century.
The cathedral impresses with its rich interior, made in the first half of the 18th century by Bavarian craftsmen - the Azam brothers. Wall decoration and ceiling painting - the frescoes in the dome tell about the life of the Apostle James - were completed in 1732. Also worth noting is the graceful stucco molding and the sumptuous main altar adorned with gold, silver and marble. However, the "pearl" of the altar of the Cathedral of the city of Innsbruck is the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Child by Lucas Cranach the Elder. This image, known as Maria Hilf, is considered one of the most revered in Austria.
In total, the cathedral has six more side altars, designed mainly in the Baroque style. However, it should be noted that the temple was badly damaged during the bombing during the Second World War, and many values and antiquities were irretrievably lost. At the same time, it was possible to preserve more ancient church utensils and decorative elements, for example, a Gothic crucifix of the 16th century, standing in the southern altar.
In the Cathedral of the city of Innsbruck buried Archduke of Austria Maximilian III, Grand Master of the Teutonic Order, who for some time was considered by Boris Godunov as a possible future son-in-law. His tombstone, made of marble and decorated with bronze reliefs and figurines, is also considered a masterpiece of Baroque art.
