Description of the attraction
Linz's old cathedral is sometimes called the Jesuit church. It was built between 1669 and 1683 in the Baroque style. The order of the temple was the Order of the Jesuits. The architect Pietro Francesco Carlone was invited to build the cathedral. The church was built in the area of the former Jesuit college on the south side of the Hauptplatz. It was originally consecrated in honor of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, who founded the Jesuit Order.
The Jesuit Order was dissolved in 1773 by Pope Clement XIII. In 1783, by decree of Emperor Joseph II and without the prior approval of the Vatican, the dioceses of Linz and St. Pelten were founded. The emperor personally appointed a bishop and conferred cathedral status on the Jesuit church. Church authorities supported this initiative and approved the Diocese of Linz in 1785. From 1785 to 1909, the Old Cathedral was used as a cathedral for the Diocese of Linz. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Jesuits returned to Austria and received their church of St. Ignatius back. And the diocese built a New Cathedral, which was consecrated on April 29, 1924.
In 1856-1868, the organist in the cathedral was Anton Bruckner, the future famous composer. Thanks to his instructions, the local authority was redesigned. It has been preserved intact to our time. This most famous instrument in Austria is decorated with a commemorative plaque.
The lush baroque interior with pink marble columns contrasts sharply with the rather simple exterior of the temple. There are three side chapels on either side of the wide main nave. The altarpiece, by Giovanni Battista Babarino and Giovanni Battista Colombo, is decorated with marble statues. Above the altar is a painting of Saint Aloysius by Antonio Bellucci.
