Wallfahrtskirche hl. Wolfgang, church building in Kefermarkt, Austria
The Wallfahrtskirche hl. Wolfgang in Kefermarkt is a church building in late Gothic style with three aisles, ribbed vaults, and tall tracery windows that fill the interior with soft light. Its centerpiece is a carved wooden winged altar standing over 13 meters high, featuring intricate scenes from the life of Christ and depictions of saints including the patron saint Wolfgang in the center.
The church was built between 1473 and 1476 under the patronage of nobleman Christoph von Zelking and formally dedicated on November 2, 1476, by a bishop from Passau. The winged altar was crafted by an unknown master between 1490 and 1497 and originally painted in bright colors with gold leaf to enhance the pilgrims' devotion.
The church has served as a pilgrimage destination since the 15th century, drawing visitors who come to honor Saint Wolfgang. The altar and its decorations reveal how faith was expressed and how the community maintained this sacred space across generations.
The church is open daily from 9 in the morning until 6 in the evening, except during services, and welcomes visitors throughout the year. Guided tours are available in several languages and last about half an hour; individual visitors are encouraged to make voluntary donations, while groups pay a fixed fee.
The altar survived woodworm damage in the 20th century but was rescued through innovative fumigation of the entire building, a method that preserved the artwork from decay. This unusual rescue operation made the altar an example of unconventional preservation techniques applied during that era.
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