Unconventional Austrian Churches
For this week's #AustrianExplorer, we are taking a slightly different approach. Rather than visit one particular place, this week we are highlighting some unique Austrian churches across Austria. Given Austria's history, churches are not exactly lacking in the country; on the contrary, Vienna alone boasts more than 1600 churches or consecrated chapels. But did you know that Austria is also home to some quite unconventional and architecturally unique churches?
When you think of Austrian churches, perhaps Gothic masterpieces like #Stephansdom or Baroque gems like #Karlskirche come to mind. But have you heard of any of the churches below?
1. The Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Vienna's 23rd district was designed by famed Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba and is thus also known as the #Wotrubakirche. It was built between 1974 and 1976 in brutalist style and, according to Wotruba, is supposed to show that "poverty does not have to be ugly, that denial can be an environment that is beautiful and inspires happiness despite its great simplicity."
The Church of the Most Holy Trinity pictured from the outside
2. The St. Barbara Church in #Bärnbach, Styria was renovated and redesigned by renowned Austrian architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser in 1988 and is now often referred to as simply the Hundertwasserkirche. Just like in Bad Blumau, the Bärnbach church features an unsymmetrical, wavy exterior that integrates plant life and the natural environment. Hundertwasser also designed 12 gates to surround the church that are meant to represent all the great world religions as a gesture of tolerance and ecumenism. #Hundertwasser
The Hundertwasserkirche pictured from the outside
3. The divided church at #Kreuzbichl (also known as the Kreuzbichlkapelle) is located near Gmünd in Carinthia and has existed since at least the 16th century. It is literally divided or cut in half by a road that is still used today. It is perhaps the only such church in the world, with pews for the congregation on one side of the open air church and the altar with priest on the other side of the road. #geteilteKirche
The divided church pictured from the outside
Let us know if you've been to any of these churches and please share your impressions/thoughts!
© Wikicommons / Wojtek Gurak (photos 1, 2); Wikicommons / Ralf Roletschek (photo 3); Wikicommons / Gunther Tschuch (photos 4-6); Wikicommons / Johann Jaritz (photos 7-9)