St. Wolfgang in Grades, cemetery in Metnitz, Austria
St. Wolfgang in Grades is a late Gothic stone church with a rectangular shape, built on a rocky hill south of the village of Grades in Carinthia. The building is surrounded by a high stone wall about 30 feet (9 meters) high and features a five-story square tower on the west side plus numerous windows with detailed stonework.
Construction of the church began in summer 1453 under the order of Bishop Johannes V of Gurk and was completed in 1474. A fire soon damaged parts of the building, with repairs continuing until 1512.
The church is dedicated to Saint Wolfgang, a holy figure who legend says visited the area in 977. The name and veneration shape the religious life of the community to this day, drawing pilgrims who come to pray for blessings and healing.
The building sits on elevated ground and is set apart by the high protective wall, which means a short walk to the entrance is needed. The narrow windows and thick stone walls keep the interior cool but provide limited natural light inside.
The church's high altar is a flower-shaped winged altarpiece considered among the finest of its kind in Austria, created around 1520. This altar was built during the same artistic period as two other notable altarpieces in Upper Austria and Kefermarkt, which shows the special importance of this place for sacred art.
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