Pfarrkirche Hochneukirchen

The first documentary mention of the village of Hochneukirchen on January 27, 1295 as "Hochniuchkirche" suggests that the first church was built in the 13th century. The oldest parts of the church in the area of the chancel of the old church date from this time.

The church had a wooden ceiling above the interior and it was not until the 16th century that the vault was installed and a defensive storey was added by raising the outer walls. This building measure was closely linked to the threat of the Turks. At that time, the church was apparently given a mighty tower to the east and west, the floors of which were equipped with embrasures and spy holes. The nave of the church was wedged between the two towers and had 15 embrasures and 13 spy holes on the upper floor. As the churchyard surrounding the church was still surrounded by a defensive wall at the time, which is said to have carried battlements and embrasures until 1744, the entire complex was undoubtedly a building of exceptional defensive strength for a church.

However, the defensive upper storey was not put to the test until around 150 years later at the beginning of the 18th century, when the Kurucs invaded eastern Austria and terrified the population. In the middle of the 18th century, the east tower burned down and was not rebuilt. Instead, the west tower was raised and topped with a baroque onion dome in keeping with the architectural style of the time.

An extension was built in 1982/83, which somewhat diminished the defensive impression of the parish church. The old church was also extensively renovated. Since then, churchgoers have been offered a spacious interior. The altars in the old church come from Val Gardena in South Tyrol and were made around 1900. The altarpiece in the new church with Mary and the twelve apostles - with the church's patron saint Bartholomew in the middle - was created in fresco by the painter Prof. Sepp Mayrhuber. The stained glass windows are the work of the artist Clarisse Schrack-Praun. The new and renovated church was consecrated on 18 December 1983 by Archbishop Dr. Franz Jachym.

Also worth seeing is the parish church's upper floor, which can be viewed during the day on request at the parish office or municipal office. Due to the extensive renovation work carried out as part of the church extension, the Wehrobergeschoß can be used for exhibitions and concerts. The market town of Hochneukirchen-Gschaidt has been organizing regular concerts for a number of years, offering audiences the opportunity to listen to sophisticated musical styles ranging from classical to jazz in this atmospheric setting.

If you are interested in guided tours, please contact the municipal office!