Leonhardkirche, Gothic parish church in St. Leonhard district, Graz, Austria
The Leonhardkirche is a parish church in Graz that combines Gothic features with a Baroque facade and was expanded with a modern eastern extension around 1960. The building includes an adjoining cemetery and continues to serve as an active parish center with offices and administrative space for the community.
The original structure was first mentioned in 1361 as Sankt Lienhart and was replaced by a new building in 1433, consecrated by the Archbishop of Salzburg. The church underwent several transformations, including Baroque modifications and a modern expansion in the 20th century.
The church is named after Saint Leonard, the patron saint of farmers and shepherds, reflecting the rural religious traditions that shaped this area. The community has used the space for worship over centuries, making it a spiritual landmark in the neighborhood.
The church is open to visitors during daytime hours and holds active services throughout the year. The building has stairs and passages that allow access to different areas, though as an older structure some sections may have limited accessibility.
Until 1818, a Roman-era grave stele was built into the church's outer wall before being transferred to Eggenberg Palace's archaeological museum. This discovery shows the ancient roots beneath the area and was later carefully preserved and documented.
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