Schweizerhof
Tel. 01- 533 9927
Subway: U3 Herrengasse
Bus: 2A, 3A
Open: 11am- 3pm Mon- Thu
11am- 1pm Fri
Closed: Nov 1, Dec 8, Jan1, Jul, Aug
Vienna Boys’ Choir Jan- June & Sep- Dec: 9:15am Sun
Burgkapelle is translated as a Royal Chapel. The original structure dates back to the 13th century, although it was later reconstructed in 1447- 49. It Gothic appearance was replaced by Baroque interior. It is particularly famous for its Boys' Choir that performs here during Mass.
function
The formation of medieval society by
Christianity required a chapel for prayer in every castle. Often
they also served as a burial place to commemorate the dynasty, some
of which housed relics. Elaborately designed objects also served
representative purposes.
Religious care was provided by a
specially employed or an outside clergyman. Because of the second
function as a clerk, he probably had his own heated room. A chapel
or church on an order castle was absolutely indispensable. The
Knights needed a place to pray regularly and to celebrate Holy Mass.
designation
Castle chapels usually bore the patronal saint of
a saint with a special connection to the knighthood, St. George and
Gereon. The St. Markus castle chapel in Brubach even gave the hostel
its current name - Marksburg.
architecture
For the
chapels, several locations and structural variants were considered.
Many castles were probably satisfied with an area integrated into
another room. If necessary, a picture or figure of a saint adorned
him. In the little ones there was enough space for the castle
rulers. The chapel bay was somewhat more sophisticated. If it was
attached to the Palassaal, it could be used like a nave. In addition
to building certificates (e.g. Burg Landsberg in Alsace), household
inventories documented such multiple uses. A document from 1463
reported that there was a chest with household textiles and
liturgical equipment in the Tomburg Hall.
The chapel room was
accessed from the residential building or hall. A chapel building
formed an independent building. Both occurred in the most elaborate
variant - the two-story double or sometimes multi-story chapels
(example for two-story space: Bösig Castle, for three-story
building: Büdingen Castle). Another possibility was the combination
of chapel and gate construction. a. at Rheda Castle. This connection
conjured up divine protection for the most sensitive part of the
fortress.
The costly buildings were usually reserved for
palaces, sovereign and episcopal castles. It was particularly
expensive in the New Ingolstadt Palace. Most of the castle chapels
were characterized by a rather simple, single-nave shape. There were
no differences in form and integration between the high and late
Middle Ages. During the Gothic period, extensions to a residential
wing such as the Ziesar castle chapel were made almost exclusively.
At that time the double chapels in the narrower sense were missing.
Only a few floors above each other were built, which connected a
small opening in the false ceiling. At least the service could be
followed acoustically. The architectural era mentioned featured
ribbed vaults, tracery windows and Gothic portals. Paintings
obtained are often the only original murals. The movable equipment
was often lost over time.