Pfarrkirche Thernberg

The parish church of Thernberg is one of the oldest places of worship and Marian shrines in our country. Due to its historical development as a private church with a presumed fixed house with direct access to the church, the Romanesque building is a facility for a quick retreat for those who could not reach the nearby castle. Today, however, this church no longer has any defense facilities.

The church possessed a special treasure in the "Thernberg Madonna", which was enthroned on the high altar for centuries, then passed into private ownership in 1784 and was returned to the parish church in 1932 by Pastor Scherfler. The statue, approx. 130 centimetres high, is made of sandstone, painted and dates from the middle of the 14th century. Duke Frederick of Austria dedicated it to this church. According to experts, this statue is of great value because it shows clear connections with contemporary Italian sculpture that are not so evident anywhere else. Some experts describe it as one of the most famous and interesting statues of the Madonna in Austria. It is currently on loan to the Vienna Diocesan Museum. In the years after 1784, the church owned a wood-carved Madonna, but this was made available to Archduke Johann at his request for his house chapel in Brandhof in Styria. As "compensation", he gave the church the aforementioned high altarpiece as well as two oval oil paintings depicting the Baptism of Christ and the Mother of God. The latter adorned the high altar after the statue was transported to Styria. Today, both paintings decorate the side walls of the presbytery.

Archduke Johann also donated the larger-than-life crucifix in the nave of the church, which now hangs in the choir loft.

For guided tours, please contact the parish office: +43 2629 3598