Heiligen-Geist-Kapelle, Bruck
The Heiligen-Geist-Kapelle in Bruck an der Mur, Styria, Austria, is a chapel named for the Holy Spirit. It was built in late-Gothic style, originally dedicated to the Trinity, which explains its unusual triangle floorplan, with three similar walls all with a portal. The building fell into disrepair in the 18th century and was used for several purposes such as postmaster's stable, inn and housing, which changed the interior. Initiated by Philipp Harnoncourt in 2011, the building was restored to its original appearance, with new features where no trace of the original could be found. It is a unique listed historic monument of more than regional importance.
History
The chapel was built in the 15th century, replacing a chapel from 1422 that belonged to a Pestspital, a hospital for patients suffering from the plague. That building was badly damaged during the invasion by Turks in 1480. Six wealthy citizens including the Kornmesser, Pögl and Holzapfel families financed a new building.[1] It was erected from 1495 and 1497 as a monument of thanks for the survival of plague, hunger and war. Services were held in the chapel until 1783. When no longer used, the building fell in disrepair. In 1794, it was officially desecrated, and then used by the postmaster Ignaz Weigel as a stable and hay storage for the carriage horses.[2][3]
In 1817, Franz Oberländer received permission to remodel the building as a guest house, called Geistwirt. Further restructuring happened in 1921, destroying the Gothic windows. The town of Bruck acquired the building in 1955 and used it as housing for its personal. For this purpose the interior was divided, with two upper floors with several rooms each. When a nearby highway was expanded there were plans to demolished the chapel. It was prevented, but living so close to major traffic became unbearable, and the building remained empty from 1999.[2][3]
In 2011, an initiative to rescue the building was founded by Philipp Harnoncourt and his siblings, with the intention to transform the chapel to its original architecture, to serve as a monument for the protection of the environment.[3] The chapel was reopened on 7 June 2020, on Trinity Sunday, as Philipp Harnoncourt had wished, which became the day after his funeral.[4] The celebration during the COVID-19 pandemic was presented per livestream by the town of Bruck.[5]
Architecture and restoration
The chapel is unique in the late-Gothic architecture of Austria.[6] Its ground plan of equilateral triangle with bevelled corners is a symbol of the Trinity. Inside, the corners house three equal abseils, making it an equilateral hexagon,[6] which is crowned by a star rib vault.[7] The building is shaped by the aurea figura, the golden section. The three facades are equally prominent.[6]
The restoration of the original appearance was possible, because many exterior and interior features were preserved, at least on one side, and could be reconstructed knowing of the symmetry. Surviving interior decoration included red chalk graphics, including the first donors' names and coats of arms.[6] The building was restored as close as possible to its original character, in collaboration with the Österreichisches Bundesdenkmalamt.
References
- ^ "Sanierung Heiligen-Geist-Kapelle, Bruck an der Mur / Geschichte" (in German). Bruck an der Mur. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ a b Ziegler, Katharina (14 April 2020). "Hl. Geist-Kapelle". austria-forum.org (in German). Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ a b c "Familie Harnoncourt will Brucker Kapelle retten" (in German). ORF. APA. 17 November 2011. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ "Sanierung Heiligen-Geist-Kapelle, Bruck an der Mur" (in German). Bruck an der Mur. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
- ^ Tomaschek, Ulf (6 June 2020). "Fest für Philipp Harnoncourt und die Heiligen-Geist-Kapelle". Kleine Zeitung (in German). p. 16.
- ^ a b c d "Heiligen Geist Kapelle Bruck an der Mur". zottmann.at (in German). 2021. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
- ^ Reidinger, Erwin (2015). Buchinger, Günther; Huebner, Friedmund (eds.). Die ehemalige Heiliggeistkirche in Bruck an der Mur – Bauanalyse und Archäoastronomie. Vienna / Cologne / Weimar: Böhlau Verlag. pp. 345–368. ISBN 978-3-20579677-0.
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Further reading
- Dehio Steiermark (ohne Graz) 1982, Bruck an der Mur, Ehem.-Hl.-Geist-Kirche, p. 61.
External links
- Claudia Riegler: Das langsame Erwachen der Heiligen-Geist-Kapelle in Bruck an der Mur (in German) meinbezirk.at 14 August 2014
- Livestream aus der Heiligen-Geist-Kapelle im Gedenken an Philipp Harnoncourt (in German) meinbezirk.at 6 June 2020