Kollegien-Church in Salzburg`s centre
A masterpiece of baroque architecture in Salzburg
Apart from Salzburg Cathedral, Kollegienkirche is considered to be one of the most important churches in the archdiocese of Salzburg. The church is university church and that's what the Salzburg locals still call it. It was designed and built by architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach until it was consecrated in honour of the Unblemished Virgin Mary in 1707.
University church's history
In 1707 Kollegienkirche was finally introduced after a long construction period. When Salzburg's university closed down Kollegienkirche was rededicated as Garnisonskirche during the monarchy era. It was only later, in 1964, that it became an university church again and this is what it has been known for up until today.
The church is divided into three parts:
• Show facade
• Main building
• Terraced slanting extensionThe church's special features are the statues which represent the four archangels on the left and the four church fathers on the right. Exact observers will discover a delicate ornament on the big windows in the church that bring a bit of lightness to the heavy facade and were commissioned by Archbishop Fischer von Erlach.
The organ
The beautiful organ in Kollegienkirche dates back to the years 1866-68 and was built by Matthäus Mauracher I., and restored by the Pirchner company in 1982. Anton Bruckner especially appreciated this organ and played it in 1869.