St. Martin's Church, formally known as the Pfarrkirche Bad Goisern or Katholische Pfarrkirche hl. Martin, is a Roman Catholic parish church dedicated to St. Martin of Tours, situated in the heart of the market town of Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee in the Gmunden district of Upper Austria. This historic structure, protected as a listed monument, stands on a slight elevation in the town center along Untere Marktstraße, blending seamlessly into the picturesque Salzkammergut region near Lake Hallstatt. With roots tracing back to the medieval period, it serves as a key cultural and religious landmark, reflecting centuries of architectural evolution and regional history.
The origins of the Roman Catholic Parish Church of St. Martin
(Pfarrkirche St. Martin) in Bad Goisern am Hallstättersee, located in
the Gmunden district of Upper Austria, are traced back to the 8th or 9th
century during the Old Bavarian-Frankish era, a period marked by early
Christian settlements in the region. This makes it one of the oldest
ecclesiastical sites in the Inner Salzkammergut area. The first
documented reference to the church appears in 1320, when the auxiliary
bishop of Passau performed a reconciliation ceremony for the existing
Martinskirche, signifying its formal recognition and restoration after
potential earlier damages or desecrations. It was later consecrated by
Friedrich Andreas, the suffragan bishop of Passau, and the structure
retains its late Gothic core from this medieval phase, reflecting the
architectural trends of the time influenced by regional Gothic masters.
Throughout its history, the church has withstood numerous challenges,
including devastating fires in 1495 (which was swiftly restored within
the same year), 1534, and 1730. Each incident led to extensive
restorations that not only preserved but also adapted the building,
incorporating elements from predecessor structures that were either
burned or demolished. In 1487, a new church was constructed in the late
Gothic style, establishing Bad Goisern as the sole vicariate in the
"Ischlland" (Inner Salzkammergut), underscoring its regional religious
importance. By 1782, under the Patent of Toleration issued by Emperor
Joseph II, Bad Goisern became a predominantly Evangelical tolerance
community, complete with its own separate Evangelical parish church.
Despite this shift, the Catholic congregation continued to grow
steadily, prompting a significant expansion and renovation between 1835
and 1837. During this period, the main axis of the church was
dramatically rotated 90 degrees, transforming the original chancel into
a side chapel now dedicated as the Marienkapelle. This reconfiguration
blended old and new elements, creating a layered historical narrative.
Further interior renovations took place in 1955, focusing on integrating
and restoring historical artifacts to honor the church's heritage. In
1957, the high altar was relocated from the church in Niederthalheim,
adding another layer of borrowed ecclesiastical artistry. The building's
evolution reflects broader historical currents, including religious
reforms, fires common to wooden-roofed medieval structures, and the
cultural shifts in the Salzkammergut region, which is now part of the
UNESCO World Heritage site Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut.
Externally, the church appears even older than its primary construction
phases suggest, due to the incorporation of relics and salvaged
materials from earlier iterations, giving it a timeless, weathered charm
that belies its adaptive history.
From the outside, the church exudes a modest yet commanding presence,
characteristic of traditional Austrian ecclesiastical architecture in
rural alpine settings. Its white-washed walls contrast with a vibrant
red-tiled roof, while arched windows subtly nod to its Gothic roots,
allowing glimpses of the interior's luminous quality. Positioned on a
gentle elevation at 504 meters above sea level, the structure is
approached via a short flight of steps from the bustling market street
(Untere Marktstraße), with the adjacent rectory and Catholic cemetery to
the left, enhancing its serene, elevated isolation within the townscape.
The western tower, constructed in 1863, stands as a prominent landmark
with its tall, pyramidal roof, serving as a visual focal point that
draws the eye amid Bad Goisern's picturesque landscape. A standout
surviving Gothic feature is the pointed arch portal on the north side,
dating precisely to 1530, adorned with intricate profiling that
showcases the craftsmanship of the era.
Internally, the church's
newer sections, resulting from the 19th-century expansion, form a
cross-shaped hall layout with elegant barrel vaults that create a
spacious, airy environment. Natural light filters softly through the
windows, casting a warm, contemplative glow that enhances the sense of
tranquility. The original late Gothic elements add architectural depth:
the single-bay chancel, now repurposed as the eastern arm, features a
rib-vaulted design with a three-eighths closure, a geometric closure
typical of Gothic choir spaces for acoustic and symbolic purposes. The
Marienkapelle, formerly the main chancel, is particularly intimate, with
a delicate rib vault supported on wall corbels and accented by a trefoil
arch in the central lozenge—a motif symbolizing the Trinity and adding
to the chapel's ethereal, prayerful ambiance. This blend of Gothic
remnants and 19th-century adaptations results in a complex, harmonious
space that feels both historic and functional, accommodating worship and
reflection in a region known for its natural beauty and cultural
heritage.
The interior furnishings of St. Martin's Church represent a
captivating fusion of Baroque, Gothic, and Neo-Gothic styles, forming a
rich artistic ensemble that spans centuries and highlights the region's
devotional heritage. The high altar, a centerpiece of Baroque grandeur,
originates from 1691 and was originally installed in the church at
Niederthalheim before being transferred to Bad Goisern in 1957 and
meticulously restored in 1959. It incorporates a ornate Baroque
tabernacle salvaged from St. Peter's Church in Linz (now integrated into
the city), flanked by statues of St. Peter and St. Paul from the mid- to
late 18th century, embodying the dramatic expressiveness of Baroque
sculpture. The altarpiece, painted by Joseph Binder, adds vibrant
narrative depth, while the overall composition reflects the
Counter-Reformation's emphasis on opulent religious imagery.
The
Neo-Gothic side altars further enrich the space: one features a painting
of the Virgin Mary, and the other depicts St. Sebastian, both attributed
to Ämilian Rösch around 1703, showcasing early 18th-century devotional
art with its emotional intensity and detailed realism. The right side
altar is particularly noteworthy for its late Gothic statues of St.
James and St. Florian, crafted around 1500 in the workshop style of
Lienhart Astl, a prominent Austrian sculptor known for his expressive
wooden figures; these were originally part of the old high altar and
represent the transition from Gothic to Renaissance influences.
In
the Marienkapelle, visitors are drawn to six exquisite late 15th-century
Gothic panel paintings, double-sided and restored in 1948/49,
illustrating scenes from the Life of Mary and various saints. These
panels, possibly from two winged altars, are believed to stem from the
workshop of Rueland Frueauf the Elder, a key figure in late Gothic
Austrian painting renowned for his delicate landscapes and emotional
portrayals. A highly admired Pietà sculpture also resides here, evoking
profound sorrow and devotion, often highlighted by reviewers for its
emotional impact. Additional treasures include two 17th-century Baroque
paintings of the Resurrection and the Annunciation, emphasizing themes
of hope and divine intervention; a former high altarpiece by Leopold
Kupelwieser from 1845, now relocated to the nave, which demonstrates
19th-century Romantic influences in religious art; and a late Baroque
pulpit acquired from Gramastetten in 1966, replacing an earlier
Neo-Gothic one, with intricate carvings that aid in sermon delivery.
Other notable items underscore the church's historical continuity: a
wrought iron bell rope from 1666, a testament to early metalworking, and
a bell cast in 1730, which still rings out over the town. Together,
these elements create a "layered historical character," as the church
guide describes, blending salvaged relics with purposeful restorations
to form a living museum of faith and artistry.
Visitors frequently praise St. Martin's Church as a serene sanctuary,
offering a welcoming and peaceful atmosphere ideal for quiet reflection
amid the hustle of Bad Goisern's center. The soft afternoon light
streaming through the windows creates a meditative ambiance, making it a
perfect spot for solitary contemplation or small group visits—many note
the unfortunate quietness, wishing more people would discover its charm.
As a protected monument in the UNESCO World Heritage region of
Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut, it appeals to those fascinated by
Gothic and Baroque art, regional history, or simply spiritual respite,
drawing connections to the area's salt mining heritage and alpine
culture.
The church is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, ensuring
easy access for spontaneous stops during explorations of the
Salzkammergut. Parking is convenient at the nearby Salzkammergut
HAND.WERK.HAUS (behind the town hall on Bahnhofsstraße), Parkplatz Mitte
along the B145 (with 60 spaces, including dedicated spots for disabled
visitors and buses; free but note short-term zones in the center require
a parking meter), or other central lots. Accessibility is good, with bus
services from Bad Ischl or Gosau stopping at "Bad Goisern Mitte" (a
quick 5-minute walk uphill), and the train station just 10 minutes away
on foot. Arrival by car is straightforward: from Salzburg via B158 to
Bad Ischl then B145; from Linz via A1 to Regau then B145; or from Graz
via A9 to Liezen, B320, and B145. The site accommodates all ages and
groups, including families, seniors, couples, and solo travelers, and is
weather-independent, making it a reliable indoor attraction during rainy
alpine days.
Nearby, refresh at charming cafes like CafeLaden,
Kulturcafé Maislinger, or Moserwirt for local treats such as Kaffee und
Kuchen. Guided tours may be available via the church office (contact:
+43 6135 8243 or pfarre.badgoisern@dioezese-linz.at), and a detailed
church guide from 2006 provides in-depth insights. Whether tying into
broader regional tours or serving as a standalone highlight, St.
Martin's stands as a vibrant testament to Upper Austria's religious,
artistic, and communal legacy, inviting visitors to pause and appreciate
its enduring story.