Opening Hours
Service hours:
Every 1st and
3rd Sunday of the month in Bad Gastein at 10.00 am
Every 2nd and
4th Sunday of the month in Bad Hofgastein at 10.00 am
Address
Christophorus Church
Kaiser-Franz-Josef-Strasse
5640 Bad Gastein, AT
evangel.gastein@aon.at
https://www.sichtbar-evangelisch.at/gemeinden/gastein-christophoruskirche/
+43 6432 6674
The Christophoruskirche in Bad Gastein, Austria, is a small but striking neo-Gothic Protestant church located in the heart of this historic spa town in the Salzburg region. Built between 1868 and 1871 under the patronage of Prussian Emperor Wilhelm I, it serves as the evangelical parish church for the Gastein Valley’s small Protestant community. Known for its elegant architecture and unique placement with roads on both sides, the church offers a serene contrast to the bustling tourism of Bad Gastein, particularly its proximity to the famous Bad Gastein Waterfall.
Location: Kaiser Franz Josef Strasse, 5640 Bad Gastein, Salzburg,
Austria, approximately 1,000 meters above sea level in the Hohe Tauern
National Park.
Construction: Built from 1868 to 1871, consecrated in
1872. Restorations occurred in 1959 and 1981.
Architect: Wilhelm
Salzenberg, Berlin Oberbaurat, with construction by Jacob Ceconi and
Pecol of Schladming.
Style: Neo-Gothic, characterized by pointed
arches, ribbed vaults, and vertical emphasis.
Cultural Status: Listed
in Austria’s cultural heritage database (ObjektID: 21935, Heritage ID:
25507).
Proximity to Attractions: 100 meters from Bad Gastein
Waterfall, 180 meters from Gastein Museum, 200 meters from Grand Hotel
de l’Europe, and 650 meters from Bad Gastein Train Station.
The Christophoruskirche was constructed during a period when Bad
Gastein was a prominent spa destination, attracting European elites,
including Protestant guests who required a place of worship. The Gastein
Valley’s Protestant history dates back to the 16th century, spurred by
gold mining and Reformation ideas, though the Catholic Salzburg
archbishops suppressed Protestantism through expulsions in 1615 and
1731–1732. By the 19th century, Emperor Joseph II’s 1781 Toleranzedikt
allowed limited Protestant worship, and from 1864, evangelical services
were held in Bad Gastein during the summer spa season for visitors.
The church, originally called the “Christophoruskapelle,” was built
under the patronage of Kaiser Wilhelm I of Prussia, reflecting Bad
Gastein’s appeal to Prussian nobility. Consecrated in 1872, it became a
symbol of Protestant resilience in a predominantly Catholic region. In
1950, the Gastein Protestant community became a daughter parish of
Hallein, and in 1960, it gained independent parish status with the
consecration of the Heilskirche in Bad Hofgastein. Today, the
Christophoruskirche serves a diaspora community of approximately 660
members across eight towns, including Bad Gastein, Bad Hofgastein, and
Dorfgastein.
The Christophoruskirche is a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture,
designed to evoke the verticality and elegance of Gothic cathedrals
while maintaining a modest scale suitable for a small community. Its key
architectural features include:
Structure: Built from exposed
ashlar masonry (steinsichtiges Quadermauerwerk) on a cruciform
(cross-shaped) floor plan, emphasizing symmetry and sacred geometry.
Facade: Features triangular gabled facades with stepped buttresses at
the corners, enhancing structural stability and aesthetic verticality.
Pointed arch windows (Spitzbogenfenster) with tracery allow light to
filter into the interior.
Eastern Portal: A deeply recessed pointed
arch portal (gekehltes Spitzbogenportal) is adorned with a triforium
window above and a pointed arch sound window housing a bell.
Glockenturm: A small central bell tower with pointed arch sound openings
and a pointed spire (Spitzhelm) crowns the structure, adding to its
delicate silhouette.
Interior: The central space features a
neo-Gothic ribbed vault (Rippengewölbe) supported by slender columns
(Dienste). The interior is noted for its simplicity, with a modest
altar, an organ loft with pipes, and intricately carved wooden chairs.
Wall paintings are subtle, avoiding the overwhelming grandeur of true
Gothic churches. Visitors describe the space as “well-proportioned” and
“not overwhelming,” fostering a sense of calm.
Unique Placement: The
church is distinctively positioned with roads flanking both sides, a
feature visitors find “cool” and photogenic, enhancing its integration
into the town’s steep, urban landscape.
The adjacent evangelical
parsonage is structurally connected to the church, reinforcing its role
as a community hub. The neo-Gothic style, inspired by German
ecclesiastical architecture, aligns with Wilhelm I’s Prussian influence,
making the church a cultural bridge between Austria and Prussia.
The Christophoruskirche remains an active place of worship for the
Evangelical Parish of Gastein, a diaspora community led by Dipl.-Theol.
Maria Elena Biró, with lectors Dr. Ingrid Mohr and Lorenz Josef
Schindlegger. However, its use is limited due to the small local
Protestant population.
Services: Held on the 1st and 3rd Sundays
of each month at 10:00 AM in Bad Gastein, alternating with services at
the Heilskirche in Bad Hofgastein (2nd and 4th Sundays). Summer pastoral
care (Urlauberseelsorge) from June 15 to September 15 offers additional
services, talks, and pastoral counseling for visitors.
Community
Events: A women’s group (Frauentreff) meets every 3rd Tuesday at 6:30
PM, with details posted on church noticeboards.
Public Access: The
church is currently not open for regular tourist visits outside of
service times, a change noted in recent sources (2025). Visitors report
difficulty accessing the interior, with some expressing disappointment
that it “never seems open” or is “rarely used.” However, it can be
admired externally, and entry may be possible during services or special
events.
Condition: The church is well-maintained, with restorations
in 1959 and 1981 ensuring its structural integrity. Unlike some of Bad
Gastein’s aging Belle Époque buildings, it shows no signs of neglect.
The Christophoruskirche ranks #9 of 30 attractions in Bad Gastein on
Tripadvisor, with a 4/5 rating based on 12 reviews. Visitors appreciate
its compact size, neo-Gothic charm, and unique urban setting, though its
limited accessibility tempers enthusiasm. Key aspects of the visitor
experience include:
Atmosphere: Described as a “quiet oasis”
amidst Bad Gastein’s tourism and bustle, the church offers a
contemplative space. Reviews highlight its “calm and conciliating”
ambiance, ideal for reflection, though the dark interior can feel
somber.
Highlights:
Exterior: The neo-Gothic facade, with its
pointed arches and delicate bell tower, is photogenic, especially from
the scenic road or nearby Straubingerplatz. Its placement between roads
and proximity to the waterfall (100 meters) makes it a picturesque stop.
Interior (when accessible): Visitors praise the simple altar, carved
wooden chairs, and organ loft with pipes. The neo-Gothic ribbed vault
and floral-carved entrance door are noted for their craftsmanship,
reflecting “typical Salzburg style.”
Challenges:
Limited
Access: Recent reviews (2020–2024) lament that the church is often
closed, with no clear schedule for public visits outside services. One
visitor in 2022 searched online for opening times without success.
Lack of Community: The absence of a local evangelical congregation
(services cater to a scattered diaspora) gives the church a “neglected”
feel, as noted in a 2021 review.
Dark Interior: Some find the
interior “very dark,” which may detract from the experience, especially
compared to brighter Catholic churches like the nearby Pfarrkirche.
Duration: Visits, when possible, take less than 1 hour, making it a
quick stop for those exploring Bad Gastein’s historic center.
Nearby
Attractions:
Bad Gastein Waterfall (100 meters): A must-see natural
wonder.
Gastein Museum (180 meters): Offers insights into the town’s
spa history.
Grand Hotel de l’Europe (200 meters): A Belle Époque
landmark.
Flying Waters Zipline (110 meters): For adventure seekers.
Pfarrkirche Bad Gastein (300 meters): The Catholic parish church, open
more regularly.
Accessibility:
By Foot: Located in the town
center, a short walk from Straubingerplatz or Hotel Badeschloss (100
meters). The steep terrain requires sturdy shoes.
By Car: Parking is
available at the waterfall multi-storey car park (250 meters,
€8.50/day). From Salzburg Airport (96 km, 75 minutes), take the A10 and
B311.
By Train: Bad Gastein Train Station (650 meters, 10-minute
walk) connects to Salzburg and Vienna via the Tauern Railway.
Tips:
Check service times (1st/3rd Sundays, 10:00 AM) for a chance to see the
interior.
Visit during summer pastoral care (June 15–September 15)
for potential events.
Contact the Bad Gastein tourism office (+43
6432 3393 560, badgastein@gastein.com) or check www.gastein.com for
updates on access.
Combine with a waterfall visit or museum stop for
a half-day itinerary.
The Christophoruskirche is a testament to Bad Gastein’s cosmopolitan past, when Prussian and Austrian elites mingled in its spa culture. Its neo-Gothic design and Wilhelm I’s patronage add a Prussian flavor to the Gastein Valley, distinguishing it from the region’s Baroque and Catholic landmarks. The church’s role in serving evangelical spa guests underscores Bad Gastein’s 19th-century status as a health and leisure hub. Its connection to the Protestant struggle in a Catholic-dominated region, reflected in the valley’s history of expulsions, adds depth to its story. Visitors note that the church “radiates beyond the Gastein Valley,” enhancing the town’s historical tapestry alongside landmarks like the Kaiser Wilhelm Denkmal.