Filialkirche hl. Johannes der Täufer, Übersbach, church building in Fürstenfeld, Austria
The Filialkirche hl. Johannes der Täufer in Übersbach is a stone church building dating to the late medieval period with baroque expansions, situated on a small cemetery. Inside, the structure features a three-part vaulted ceiling with cross ribs and contains altars from different periods, while a square tower with pyramid-shaped roof crowns the main building.
The church was founded around 1197 when the Archbishop of Salzburg handed it to the Order of St. John, who administered it for centuries before it became a branch church of the Söchau parish. In the early 1600s, conflicts damaged the building; it was subsequently expanded and rebuilt multiple times between 1600 and 1690, acquiring its present baroque character.
The church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, and locals celebrate his feast day each year with a small procession through the village. It remains a gathering place where residents stop to light candles and spend time in quiet reflection.
The church sits on a fenced cemetery within the village and is easily accessible from outside; entry is through a narrow gate leading to the churchyard. Visitors should note this is an active cemetery and should show respect for the graves.
The old entrance door is made from poplar wood and bears carved Maltese crosses and images of knights, displaying symbols of the Order of St. John. A notable artistic detail is a wooden relief of Saint Martin from the end of the 15th century, found at one of the side altars.
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