Old Cathedral in Linz

St. Ignatius Cathedral stands on the south side of the main square of the city, which is called Hauptplatz. Area – is one of the largest in Europe. The green facade temple, also called it Alter Dom ( Old Cathedral ), just 25 m high, looks pretty simple: it is decorated with a modest wide dome ( nef ), surrounded by three side chapels. The cathedral bears the name of the founder of the male monastic order of the Jesuits – Ignatius de Loyola. Sometimes the temple is called the Jesuit Church.

History of the Old Cathedral

The church project was ordered by the Jesuit Order. The development of the project and the construction was carried out by the architect P., who was invited by the order. F. Carlon. The foundation of the temple was laid in 1669, construction ended in 1676. In 1773, by the decision of Pope Clement XIII, the Jesuit Order ceased to exist officially. In 1783, the Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, Joseph II, without coordination with the Vatican, founded two dioceses, one of them – in Linz. By his sole decision, the emperor approved the bishop, and the Jesuit church gave the status of a cathedral. The Vatican supported and approved this decision only after 2 years – in 1785. Linz became the capital of the archbishopric, and the cathedral was transferred to the status of the Cathedral. From 1785 to 1909, the temple was proudly called the central Cathedral of the Diocese of Linz. At the beginning of the last century, the Jesuits returned to Austria. After the completion of the construction of the New Cathedral, St. Ignatius was handed back to the Jesuit Order. In the Old Cathedral in Linz, a college of Jesuit monks was located for a rather long period of time.

Interior of the Old Cathedral in Linz

Outwardly, the Old Cathedral in Linz looks rather modest. But the interior decoration, made in the Baroque style, is impressive with luxury and some pompousness: magnificent columns of pink marble, statues, marble sculptures, departments with openwork carvings, an amazing high altar, painted by artists of the XVII century. Inside, a golden ornament is applied on the dome. Walls adorn paintings by artists. The most famous is the painting « St. Aloisius », the work of the famous Italian master Antonio Bellechchi. She hangs over the altar. The canvas depicts the Jesuit monk Aloisiy Gonzaga. He died very young at the age of 23. During the plague, Aloisius helped the sick and dying. The disease did not pass by. Later, Aloisius was counted as a saint.

During the service, the organ of the 18th century sounds solemn and sadly in the cathedral, forcing the hearts of parishioners to tremble. The future famous Austrian composer A. played on it. Brookner, who worked in the cathedral as an organist in 1856-1868. This is stated by a commemorative plate placed on the organ. By order of A. The brookner tool has been improved for perfect sound. The organ in the singular has been preserved in its original form to this day. Every year, the cathedral hosts an organ music festival in honor of A. Bruckner.

Today, the Old Cathedral in Linz is open daily for free visits by everyone. Excursions are held only in the morning.