Stadtpfarrkirche St. Magdalena, Gothic parish church in Scheibbs, Austria
Stadtpfarrkirche St. Magdalena is a three-aisled, seven-bay hall church with a late Gothic core, baroqueised after a fire in 1645. Its nearly square north tower rises about sixty metres and carries a baroque cupola with a small lantern; a sundial and a sculpture of St Florian are set into its wall. The net-ribbed vault rests on columns with baroque composite capitals.
A small chapel existed here by the 12th century, and Scheibbs became an independent parish in 1322. In 1338 Duke Albert II gave the market to Gaming Charterhouse, making Scheibbs the monastery's secular administrative centre. The present hall church was built around 1500 and baroquified after a fire in 1645; after Gaming was dissolved in 1782, industrial patrons such as Andreas Töpper funded its upkeep.
The interior displays late Gothic features blended with early baroque elements that still shape how the parish community gathers for worship. The furnishings from the 18th century reflect devotion to figures that held meaning for local believers across generations.
The church sits on the elevated Town Hall Square and is easily reached from all directions within the historic center. Its central location makes visiting straightforward without needing special directions.
Between the church building and the former gravedigger's house stands a glass-enclosed Mount of Olives scene from the 17th century. This hidden detail is often overlooked by visitors, though it displays remarkable craftsmanship.
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