Cultural Partners / Dom zu Gurk
The Gurk Cathedral
Gurk Cathedral is located in the middle of the Gurktal valley. Its impressive, 60-meter-high double towers are visible from afar. In addition, the Gurk Abbey is structurally connected to the cathedral. Until 1792, it housed the cathedral chapter, and afterwards various orders held sway there with interruptions.
Thanks to the minor structural modifications, the cathedral is one of the most important Romanesque buildings in Europe. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at its architecture and its furnishings.
The high altar in the cathedral in Gurk
The high altar was created by the Saxon sculptor Michael Hönel between 1625 and 1632. Later, in 1654, Johann Seitlinger gilded it largely. With a height of 16 meters and a width of almost nine meters, it fills the main apse completely. In addition, it contains 72 full-size figures and 82 angel heads.
The altarpiece in the cathedral in Gurk, however, dates back to the Romanesque high altar. Its decoration from around 1200 features a Kosmaten motif. Outside Italy, such a decoration is rarely seen. In this way, the altar combines Romanesque and Baroque elements in one place.
The pictures on this page show the cathedral from the outside, the interior with a view of the high altar and the tomb of Saint Hemma.
The architecture of the cathedral church
The cathedral is a three-nave, five-and-a-half-bay pillar basilica. In addition, it has an elevated, two-bay choir space, a one-bay transverse hall, and three equally-sized apses.
The two towers, however, characterize the western part of the cathedral in Gurk. Between them, the bishop's chapel is located in the nave above the inner and outer aisles. The monastery buildings, i.e., the chapter house and the vicarage, finally enclose the church building to the north.
The crypt and the tomb of Hemma of Gurk
Below the choir and the transept lies the crypt. With its 100 columns, it is also the oldest part of the church. In the year of its dedication in 1174, the tomb of Saint Hemma of Gurk was also moved there.
