Heilandskirche, Krems, Protestant church in Krems, Austria
The Heilandskirche is a Protestant church in Krems with a distinctive octagonal floor plan and a soaring dome above the interior space. Large windows with segmental arch openings flood the room with daylight, creating a bright and open atmosphere.
Construction began in 1912 for the newly established Protestant community, which was founded in 1905 after religious freedom was granted. The project was designed by German architect Otto Bartning, who explored this modern approach in his early work.
The church emerged as a gathering place for the Protestant community once worship freedom was granted to non-Catholic groups. Today it reflects how the city welcomed religious diversity and provided space for different faiths to establish themselves.
Visitors should know the interior feels very bright and open because of the octagonal layout and high windows. An organ from 1974 dominates the space, and the acoustics are particularly good, which makes the building popular for concerts and services.
The octagonal floor plan creates unusual acoustics that differ noticeably from traditional church buildings. This shape was experimental for its time and shows Bartning's interest in finding new ways to design worship spaces.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
