Church St. Stephan

Climb the 6th highest church tower in Austria with its 192 steps and enjoy the wonderful panorama of the Innviertel region.
The tower is easily accessible and offers plenty of opportunities to rest on the way up.

Please book in advance with the Entdeckerviertel tourist office.

Its chief architect was Stephan Krumenauer. The soaring, seven-story, slender tower is a landmark of both the city of Braunau and the Innviertel region. The onion-domed spire was not added until the 18th century. On the exterior walls of the church, one can find valuable epitaphs, including, on the north side, that of the famous Hans Staininger, the “Man with the Long Beard,” who served as mayor of Braunau in the 16th century. Inside, the church features a three-nave, seven-bay nave. Recessed buttresses form twelve side chapels. Looking up, one sees an ornate net rib vault. The capitals of the massive pillars are decorated with the heads of apostles and angels.

INTERIOR DECOR:
The church’s interior is rich in works of art dating from the time of the church’s founding to the present day: The famous and valuable Bäcker Altar, dating from the late 15th century, is one of the few Gothic winged altars that have survived in Upper Austria. Likewise, the sandstone pulpit with depictions of prophets, Christ, the Evangelists, and the Church Fathers, as well as the original stall seating, are works of the Late Gothic period. In the 17th century, the church was given a Baroque makeover by Martin Zürn. Remnants of the Baroque high altar can still be seen on the northern choir wall. Particularly noteworthy is the 28-square-meter painting “The Stoning of St. Stephen” by Matthäus Lettenbichler. St. Barbara on the right choir arch pillar and the Madonna on the crescent at the eastern end of the right aisle demonstrate the master’s high artistic quality. The current high altar, a Neo-Gothic winged altar designed by the Viennese cathedral architect Friedrich von Schmidt, was consecrated in 1905. The beautiful wrought-iron chandeliers by Wolfgang Auer represent 20th-century art.

Church Tower Tour:
As part of a guided city tour, climb Austria’s sixth-highest church tower with its 192 steps and enjoy the wonderful panoramic view of the Innviertel region.
The tower is easily accessible and offers plenty of places to rest during the climb.

Please register at the Quellenviertel office in Braunau.