Description of the attraction
The Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary stands on top of a steep hill in the heart of the spa town of Galtür, Tyrol. The church is surrounded by a cemetery and is a major pilgrimage center. It is made in a predominantly Baroque style, but its interior design also belongs to the later Rococo style.
The first mention of this building appeared in 1359. Like many other churches, at first it existed as a tiny chapel, gradually growing into a more powerful structure. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, a fire broke out in the city, completely destroying the building of the church, and it had to be rebuilt. Construction work was carried out in the years 1622-1624. In general, the appearance of the church has remained unchanged over the centuries, however, some details and even individual rooms were added to it much later, especially in the 1770s and 1960s.
The church itself is a low building, painted in a light color and distinguished by relatively small windows. The high bell tower, which has been preserved since the end of the 14th century, is especially notable. However, a pointed spire appeared on it much later - at the end of the 19th century.
In the interior design of the church, two styles are noticeably mixed at once - baroque and rococo, distinguished by their pretentious decorations and luxurious stucco molding. The decoration of the church was carried out in 1770-1780, while new decorative elements were added to the already existing baroque altars. The chair was also completed in the Rococo style. As for the figures placed in the altars, they are considered a real masterpiece of woodcarving of the Baroque era and date back to the beginning of the 17th century. Church utensils and furniture have also survived from an earlier period, and they are also made in the Baroque style. The organ was installed quite a long time ago - back in 1867 and is still functioning.
The bell tower uses two old bells - one was made after a fire in the city, in 1624, and the second dates back to the Middle Ages and dates back to 1441. And on the territory of the church cemetery, amazing monuments and tombstones of the end of the 18th century have been preserved.
