Cathedral - Gurk

History

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  The history of Gurk Cathedral is closely linked to St. Hemma. The historical Hemma (970-1054) descended from the dynasty of the Counts of Friesach-Zeltschach. She was married to Count Willhelm von der Sann and was related to Emperor Heinrich II. Her husband as well as her two sons died young.

   

  In agreement with her relatives, she used a large part of her enormous inheritance to found two monasteries, Admont and Gurk. The foundation of the Benedictine monastery in upper Styria only occurred after her death, but Hemma lived to see the completion of the convent in Gurk. On August 15^th 1042 or 1043, the first church in Gurk was consecrated to the Mother of God. A few years after the completion of her works, Hemma passed away. She was buried in the convent church. However, the political development did not allow the convent in Gurk a long existence. Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg dissolved it and created the diocese of Gurk in its place, to which the largest part of the possession of Hemma’s convent was used as a material basis. For some time, the memory of the countess of Friesach seemed to be lost. However, in the fight for independence from Salzburg, Gurk’s bishop and canons soon remembered their original founder. Gurk’s fourth bishop, Roman I (1131-1167), constructed Strassburg Castle, which was the residence of the bishops until the end of the 18^th century, and started to build Gurk Cathedral. In 1174 the countess’ mortal remains were moved to the cathedral’s newly-completed crypt and were buried there. Since that time, her tomb has been the destination of countless pilgrims from Styria, Carinthia and present-day Slovenia.

Architecture and Furniture

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  Architecture
   
  Gurk‘s Mariendom (Lady Cathedral) is undoubtedly among Austria‘s most important Romanesque buildings. To the west of the previous building, the construction work of the religious building began under Bishop Roman I (1131-1167). In 1200, Bishop Ekkehard consecrated the high altar and, by 1220, the cathedral was completed.
   

  It is a three-nave pillar basilica with a raised two-bay choir, a two-bay transept and the equally aligned apses. Under the transept and choir is the hall crypt with “100 columns”, which was completed in 1174, with the tomb of St. Hemma. With a size of 20 metres by 20 metres, the crypt, which is accessible from the aisles, rests on six rectangular supporting pillars as well as 96 identical columns. From the outside, two 60 metre high towers and the western gallery in between dominate the appearance of Gurk Cathedral. After several fires in the 13th century when, among others things, the western gallery and the eastern part were seriously damaged, the cathedral was consecrated anew in 1287. In the course of the 17th century, both the outdoor and indoor façade were made in the Baroque style. Signs visible from a distance for this are the onion-shaped spires, which were attached to the tops of the two Romanesque towers. During this time, a Baroque high altar was also built on the high altar plate, which dates back to around 1200. The crypt was also reconstructed in 17th century style. After a fire in the 19th century, restoration work at the church complex was made in several stages in the course of the 20th century. In 1992, the restoration of historical architecture, in the sense of a homogeneous impression, was completed.
   
  Design

   

  Visitors enter the vestibule of Gurk Cathedral by a sevenfold stepped Romanesque western portal. Slender columns that stand close together and bell-shaped capitals with bud and foliage decoration, characterise the portal. The original coronets made of limewood (around 1200) show figural representations in leaf medallions.

  Even the colour glazing is partly preserved. The originally open vestibule was closed by means of a Gothic structure towards the end of the 14th century. The continual paintings with scenes from the Old and New Testaments automatically attract the viewer’s eye. The crypt with the stone sarcophagus of St. Hemma leaves a deep impression. The crypt as well as the tomb date from about 1174. The saint’s final resting place is supported by pillars which still stand on the originally Romanesque screed. Murals and remains of vault paintings from the 14th century adorn the room. Apart from the allegedly curative Hemma stone, the crypt contains several Romanesque altars, some of which have Baroque retables, and an ancient frieze beam with relief sculpture, which was once part of a Roman burial house. By means of a spiral staircase near the baptistery, the Bishop’s Chapel, which has been nearly unchanged for about 700 years, can be reached. The 11.5 metres by 8.5 metres room offers a number of wonderful pieces of Romanesque religious art. On the western wall, there are two round-arched windows with a glass painting dating from around 1270 showing Christ’s deposition from the Cross. The window is the major work in the so-called jagged style (Zackenstil) in the German-speaking area. Furthermore, well-preserved murals show, among others things, scenes from paradise, Virgin Mary sitting on Salomon’s throne, as well as the heavenly Jerusalem.

   

Events

• TRANSROMANICA-tours through the Gurk Cathedral
  

Regular guided visits

• Admission Fees
  
  FOR SINGLE GUESTS
  Combinated-Card
  Cathedral with crypt, lenten veil and bishops chapel
  daily 10.30h, 13.30h and 15.00h
  Price: € 7,50 / € 5,60*
  
  Cathedral with crpyt
  10.30h, 13.30h and 15.00h
  Duration: 45 Min.
  Price: € 4,60 / € 3,70*
  
  Bishops chapel
  11.20h, 14.20h and 15.50h
  Duration: 20 Min.
  Price: € 3,70 / € 2,90*
  
  Lenten veil
  11.40h, 14.40h and 16.10h
  Duration: 20 Min.
  Price: € 2,90 / € 2,20*
  Short guidet tour: 25 Min., € 2,60
  Crypt-course: 15 Min., € 1,50
  
  * Reductions for groups, seniors, children, students, ...
  If required and in summer time additional guided tour offers
  
  FOR GROUPS (from 15 persons)
  Cathedral (45 Min.) € 3,70
  Cathedral - Crypt - Lenten veil (60 Min.) € 4,50  
  Cathedral - Crypt - Lenten veil - Bishop`s chapel € 5,60
  
  School classes
  Age-based guided tours for pupils
  Cathedral with crypt € 2,00
  Cathedral, crypt, lenten veil € 3,00
  Combinated card € 4,30
  
  Family bonus
  - pay only for 1 child
  - children under 6 years for free
  - children-based guided tours
  
  Guided Tours
  For groups there are guided tours at any time - please registrate in the "Dom-Info" or monastery store
  phone: +43(0)4266-8236-12
  fax: +43(0)4266-8236-16