A tour of the religious heritage of Bad Ischl (Austria), European Capital for Culture 2024

The church of St. Nicholas is the oldest religious building in this little charming town, in a lively street of cafés and shops. Its 72m high tower can be seen in most postcards from Bad Ischl. The oldest mention of St. Nicholas dates back to 1320. However, the building we see today is the result of the reconstruction from 1771, financed by Empress Maria Theresa who ruled the Habsburg Empire from 1740 to 1780. Only the Gothic tower from 1490 was preserved from the original construction. At the end of the 19th century, the interior was completely refurbished to serve the Austro-Hungarian imperial family, who at that time spent their summers in Bad Ischl, attracted by its quiet atmosphere and its refreshing waters. Concerts and imperial events were regularly hosted at St Nicholas during this period. The church is now a protected monument.

The Church of Peace (Friedenskirche) is the other main place of worship in the city centre of Bad Ischl. This Protestant church has been serving the community of the Austrian town since 1881 when it replaced the old granary. In 1902 it became an independent parish church. The church stands out from the confluence of the rivers Traun and Ischl.

If you are looking for a tranquil hike in the nature, then the Calvary is the right place to visit. The “Kalvarienbergkirche” was built in 1706 on top of a small hill overlooking Bad Ischl. Builders and craftsmen took great care in making this an elegant and welcoming place of worship for those looking to get away from the hustle periods of the Imperial town. The entrance to the building is adorned with nine life-sized terracotta sculptures representing the “judgment of Jesus”. In the surroundings of the main building, four small station chapels can be found, dedicated to four different Biblical scenes: the "Jesus' farewell to his Mother", the "Mount of Olives" scene, the "Way of the Cross Chapel" and the "Holy Ascension”.

The parish church is located in the district of Pfandl, on the outskirts of Bad Ischl. This is the most recent church that can be found in the area of this little spa town. It was built in the 1950s, although earlier chapels had stood on the same site since 1312 according to historical documents. It is, on the other hand, the first and oldest Austrian church where drivers are blessed. Coinciding with its consecration in 1956, 600 vehicles received their blessing. Outside the church, there is also a remembrance monument to those who have perished on the roads.

The church already existed in 1344, according to historical documents from this time. The current church building dates from the mid-15th century. This place of worship is surrounded by a local legend and a series of miracles attributed to the Gothic statue of the Virgin Mary that is preserved in the church. The story goes that the statue of the Virgin was found in the forest by a woodcutter who brought her to a chapel. However, the statue mysteriously disappeared from the chapel, to appear again at the same spot in the forest. This was interpreted as a desire of Mary to have a church dedicated to her in this town. It was then that the current building was erected.