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 church's origins are believed to date back to the 8th or 9th century during the Old Bavarian-Frankish period, though the first documented reference appears in 1320, when the Passau auxiliary bishop reconciled the existing Martinskirche. It was consecrated by Friedrich Andreas, Bishop of Passau, and retains its late Gothic core from this era. The structure endured multiple fires—in 1495 (restored the same year), 1534, and 1730—each prompting restorations that preserved and adapted its form. Despite Bad Goisern becoming a predominantly Evangelical tolerance community in 1782 (with its own separate Evangelical parish church), the Catholic population grew, leading to a major expansion between 1835 and 1837. During this renovation, the main axis was rotated 90 degrees, transforming the original chancel into a side chapel now known as the Marienkapelle. Further interior renovations occurred in 1955, incorporating historical elements, and the high altar was relocated from Niederthalheim in 1957. The building incorporates relics and elements from predecessor churches that were destroyed by fire or demolished, giving it a layered historical character that appears older externally than its primary construction phases suggest.
Externally, the church presents a modest yet imposing facade typical
of regional Austrian ecclesiastical architecture, with white-washed
walls, a red-tiled roof, and arched windows that hint at its Gothic
origins. The western tower, added in 1863, rises prominently with a
pyramidal roof, serving as a visual anchor in the townscape. A pointed
arch portal on the north side, dating to 1530, features rich profiling
and is one of the surviving Gothic elements. The structure is positioned
on a small rise, accessible via steps from the market street, with the
rectory and Catholic cemetery adjacent to the left.
Internally, the
newer sections form a cross-shaped hall church with barrel vaults,
creating a spacious and luminous environment illuminated by soft natural
light filtering through the windows. The original late Gothic single-bay
rib-vaulted chancel with a three-eighth closure now serves as the
eastern arm, adding to the architectural complexity. The Marienkapelle,
the former chancel, features a delicate rib vault on wall supports,
highlighted by a trefoil arch in the central lozenge, evoking a serene,
intimate space.
The church's furnishings blend Baroque, Gothic, and Neo-Gothic
styles, creating a rich tapestry of artistic heritage. The high altar,
originally from Niederthalheim and dating to 1691, was restored in 1959
and features a Baroque tabernacle from St. Peter's Church in Linz,
statues of St. Peter and St. Paul from the mid-18th century, and an
altarpiece by Joseph Binder. The Neo-Gothic side altars include
paintings of the Virgin Mary and St. Sebastian, attributed to Ämilian
Rösch around 1703, with the right altar showcasing late Gothic statues
of St. James and St. Florian from circa 1500, crafted in the style of
Lienhart Astl's workshop.
In the Marienkapelle, six late 15th-century
Gothic panel paintings, painted on both sides and restored in 1948/49,
depict scenes from the life of Mary and other saints; these may
originate from two winged altars in the workshop of Rueland Frueauf the
Elder. A particularly admired Pietà resides here as well. Additional
artworks include two 17th-century Baroque paintings of the Resurrection
and the Annunciation, a former high altarpiece by Leopold Kupelwieser
from 1845 now in the nave, and a late Baroque pulpit acquired from
Gramastetten in 1966. Other notable items are an iron bell rope from
1666 and a bell cast in 1730.
Visitors often describe the church as a peaceful haven with a welcoming atmosphere, enhanced by the soft afternoon light that creates a contemplative ambiance. It is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, making it easily accessible for a short visit while exploring Bad Goisern's center. Parking is available nearby at Salzkammergut HAND.WERK.HAUS or Parkplatz Mitte, with options for buses and disabled access; it's a five-minute walk from the "Bad Goisern Mitte" bus stop or ten minutes from the train station. Suitable for all ages and groups, including families and seniors, the site is weather-independent and ties into the broader UNESCO World Heritage region of Hallstatt-Dachstein/Salzkammergut. Nearby amenities include cafes like CafeLaden or Kulturcafé Maislinger for refreshments. As a living testament to the area's religious and artistic legacy, it attracts those interested in Gothic and Baroque art, history, or quiet reflection.