The Splendor of the Dome

A Window to the Heavens

The frescoes in the dome and on the walls were crafted by Carlo Carlone, responsible for the figures, and Francesco Messenta, who designed the illusionary architecture, giving rise to an impressive depiction of paradise.

Gazing through the illusionistic balustrade towards the sky, one feels as if standing in the courtyard of a baroque pavilion, witnessing a celestial spectacle. Numerous blessed and angels adore the Holy Trinity, while in the center and high above in the lantern, a group of cherubic angels marvel at the dove with its halo, representing the Holy Spirit.

Majestic illusionistic columns on the walls frame the altars, crowned with playfully meandering entablatures and gables, alluding to the semicircles of the altar niches. Above them are domes with illusionary architecture and balustrades, offering a view of little angels playing in the heavens.

The stucco work was executed by the brothers Johann Georg and Franz Josef Holzinger, with Philipp Holzegger serving as the gilder. The organs were provided by Johann Ignaz Egedacher.

Abbot Maximilian Pagl commissioned painters Martin Altomonte, Domenico Parodi, and Carlo Carlone to create the three altarpieces. The altars themselves were crafted in 1721 by the Salzburg master stonemason Georg Doppler. The metalwork, including the crosses on the towers, was fashioned by the Linz blacksmith Johann Pretzer.