Wiener Neustadt Cathedral facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wiener Neustadt Cathedral |
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| Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary and St. Rupert, Wiener Neustadt | |
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Dom Mariä Himmelfahrt und Sankt Rupert
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| Location | Wiener Neustadt |
| Country | Austria |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic Church |
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| Parish | Dompfarre |
| Diocese | Diocese of Wiener Neustadt |
The Wiener Neustadt Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary and St. Rupert, is a beautiful and historic Catholic church in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Its German name is German: Wiener Neustädter Dom; Dom Mariä Himmelfahrt und Sankt Rupert. Today, it serves as a local parish church. However, it was once a very important cathedral for the Diocese of Wiener Neustadt from 1468 until 1785.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Building a Romanesque Masterpiece
The story of Wiener Neustadt Cathedral began a long time ago. In 1192, on May 24, something special happened. Duke Leopold V was given his official title by Emperor Henry VI. The church's main part, called the nave, was built to face the exact spot where the sun rose on that important day.
Construction of this amazing Romanesque church started in 1207. Romanesque buildings are known for their thick walls, round arches, and strong, simple designs. The cathedral was officially finished and opened in 1279. That means it's been standing for over 700 years!
Changes Through the Centuries
Over the years, the cathedral saw many changes and updates. From 1588 to 1630, a person named Melchior Klesl was in charge of the diocese. He had the first Baroque style pulpit built inside the church. Baroque art is known for being very grand and decorative.
Later, in 1776, a new Baroque altar was added. This altar featured a beautiful painting called the "Assumption of Mary" by an artist named Giandomenico Cignaroli.
Rebuilding After an Earthquake
In 1886, a part of the cathedral called the westwork, which includes the front entrance and its towers, was damaged by an earthquake. Because of this damage, it had to be taken down. But don't worry, it was rebuilt! The reconstruction of the towers took place from 1892 to 1899. When the towers were finally complete, the Austro-Hungarian Emperor Franz Josef even attended the special ceremony.
A Recent Challenge
More recently, on March 6, 2012, the cathedral faced a challenge when a fire broke out. The fire was started by someone on purpose. Because of the damage, the cathedral had to close for six months for repairs. Luckily, it was able to reopen and continues to be an important place for the community.
See also
- St. George's Cathedral, Wiener Neustadt
