Cross-ribbed Gothic

The church interior

At the Parish Church of Altmünster we can witness an architectural journey of over 1200 years. From its beginnings in the Romanesque period, of which only the tower remains, to the late Gothic nave and some Renaissance elements in the choir with its magnificent high altar.

The nave, a late Gothic hall church from the late 15th century, is recognisable by the three naves of equal height. The star-ribbed vault, typical of the Late Gothic, was the evolution of the ribbed vault, which was shaped into increasingly detailed forms on the basis of a Gothic geometric system. The converging cross ribs meet at the central point of the vault like a star, marked by a keystone.

The late Gothic interior architecture of the Parish Church of Altmünster is characterised by a lively, dynamic star-ribbed vault, which, with its two undulating intersecting ribs, is reminiscent of the gentle waves of Traunsee.

The vestibule, which lies between the Chapel of St. Anne and All Saints Chapel with its precious Renaissance altarpiece, is also characterised by its Gothic style.

To the west of the vestibule, the Confessional Chapel, originally the Chapel of St. Anne or the Chapel of the Dead, impresses with a series of confessionals. A special feature is the famous Schwanthaler nativity scene, which, however, is not open to the public except during the Christmas season.

With the exception of the Baroque choir, the Gothic style determines the overall impression of the church. Unfortunately, there are only a few remnants of the original Gothic stained glass windows left, but they still give us an idea of the effect of the light that transformed the nave into a mystical space filled with colour in the Middle Ages.