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Monday, May 18, 2015

The Spitalskirche in Innsbruck

It is quite easy to walk by on Marientheresa Strasse in downtown Innsbruck, and not even take notice of the the Spitalskirche. It is simple, beautiful, but unassuming. Yet if you take the time to come in, it is worthwhile, very peaceful and quiet, and seems so far away from the hustle outside. The baroque style is deceitful, as we assume that it was built in the XVII or XVIII century, when it is really much older, having been built in the early XIV century, when it served a double function of being Innsbruck's main hospital and a church at the same time. The name, Spitalskirche, means literally, Hospital Church.
 
 
Inconspicuously hiding behind a
series of trash cans lies the 
 entrance to the Spitalskirche.
 
The Spitalskirche has a bell tower
 with a clock  
 
This plate outside the entrance of the Spitalskirche states that the Church was initially a Hospital in the early XIV Century and that Johann Martin Gumpp,  architect and painter, gave the Church its ceiling paintings and general Baroque style.
 
The Spitalskirche has only one aisle, but is well lit
by windows on both sides
 
Several churches in Innsbruck as well as in
Southern Germany use white stucco
walls and ceilings, making them
look clean, bright and cheerful. 

Spitalskirche is quite small, cozy but elegant.

Main altar

 Beautiful crucifix on side altar

Twin side altar on right side
 
Innsbruck is a city, but the people are very friendly, more like those from a small town. Innsbruck has a mystical quality, with mountains on all sides, and is a wonderful place to visit a church, and to meditate, and listen to music. Austria is synonymous with music.  

Organ and Choir lofts in Spitalskirche

Pulpit of Spitalskirche

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