Description of the attraction
The Marienkirche is a Roman Catholic church on Benediktenplatz square in Klagenfurt. It was built in 1613 by Franciscan monks who, at the same time as the church, were building their own monastery in the neighborhood. Until 1806, the Church of St. Mary belonged to the Franciscans, then it became the property of the Benedictines, who owned it until 1902. It is currently run by the Jesuits.
The history of the Marienkirche cannot be called calm. 20 years after its construction, it suffered from a fire, which destroyed the main altar. Another big fire happened in the temple in 1723. Then almost the entire interior burned out. After the first fire in 1638, the church received a new tower, and in 1723, during the reconstruction of the temple, the tower was decorated with an onion dome and a lantern. In 1650-1651, in the northern sector of the church, the chapel of St. Anthony was built with funds donated by the local wealthy Johann Georg Rosenberg. The monastery near the church was expanded twice - in 1672 and 1713.
The Church of St. Mary is a baroque sacred building with a simple facade design. It is part of the monastery complex. The chapel of St. Anthony has a round apse. There you can also see the stucco molding dating back to 1640, which is considered the oldest in Klagenfurt. Shown here are rosettes and plump angels.
The main altar, which was formerly in the chapel of St. Anthony, was created in 1747. The altarpiece, which depicts the Madonna and Child, is framed by columns - smooth and spiral. The altarpiece is a copy of an engraving by Albrecht Durer.
