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Wiener Neustadt Cathedral
Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary and St. Rupert, Wiener Neustadt
Dom Mariä Himmelfahrt und Sankt Rupert
Wiener Neustadt - Dom (1).JPG
Location Wiener Neustadt
Country Austria
Denomination Roman Catholic Church
Administration
Parish Dompfarre
Diocese Diocese of Wiener Neustadt

The Wiener Neustadt Cathedral is a Catholic church in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Its full name is the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary and St. Rupert. It used to be a very important church, called a cathedral, from 1468 to 1785. Today, it serves as a local parish church.

Building a Cathedral

The location and direction of the cathedral were chosen a very long time ago, in the Middle Ages. The main part of the church, called the nave, faces north and west. This direction lines up with the sunrise on May 24, 1192. This was a special day when Duke Leopold V was given his power by Emperor Henry VI.

Starting Construction

Building the church began in 1207. It was designed in the Romanesque style. This style is known for its thick walls and round arches. The church was officially opened in 1279.

Changes Over Time

Over the years, the cathedral has seen many changes. From 1588 to 1630, a person named Melchor Klesl was in charge. He added the first Baroque pulpit to the church. A pulpit is a raised stand where a preacher gives sermons.

In 1776, a new Baroque altar was installed. This altar featured a beautiful painting called "The Assumption of Mary." It was created by an artist named Giandomenico Cignaroli.

Rebuilding After Damage

In 1886, the front part of the church, including its towers, had to be taken down. This was because an earthquake had damaged them. They were later rebuilt. A Viennese architect named Richard Jordan led this rebuilding project.

Einblick LH Wr Neustaedter Dom
Internal view of the cathedral

Recent Events

On March 6, 2012, a fire broke out at the cathedral. The church had to be closed for six months. This allowed for all the necessary repairs to be made.

See Also

  • St. George's Cathedral, Wiener Neustadt
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