St. Andrew's Church

Snapshot

The Neo-Gothic church on Mirabellplatz has a more turbulent history than its confident facade suggests. Built in 1892 after the demolition of its much older predecessor, bombed in WWII, and rebuilt twice over, it now serves as the parish church for Salzburg’s Croatian community.

The Story

The first St. Andrew’s stood on the Platzl, not on the present site. Its Gothic core dated to the 1410s and had accumulated Baroque additions over the centuries before the city tore it down in 1861 to widen the road to Mirabell Palace. The demolition caused genuine public anger, and years of petitions eventually forced the city to fund a replacement.

The new church went up between 1892 and 1898 to a Neo-Gothic design by Josef Wessicken, built under the supervision of city architect Jakob Ceconi. The twin towers reached 61 metres above Mirabellplatz, making them the tallest Neo-Gothic spires in the city and a deliberate statement against the Baroque silhouette that dominated every other skyline view in Salzburg.

WWII bombing gutted the interior, leaving only the facade and towers. The rebuilding in 1946-1949 was pragmatic: salvaged stone, simplified detailing, no rose window, a blunt cap on the towers instead of Gothic spires. A further renovation in 1969-1972 shortened the towers and painted the facade its current grey-white.

The Croatian community has held this church since the post-war period, offering Sunday Mass in Croatian at 10am. Every Thursday morning the Schranne market fills the square in front, turning the steps and forecourt into one of the liveliest gathering points on the right bank.

Visiting

On Mirabellplatz in the Neustadt, directly facing Mirabell Palace. Free entry during daytime hours. No booking needed. The church is at its most atmospheric on a Thursday morning when the Schranne market is running in front of it. Combine naturally with Mirabell Palace and Mirabell Gardens next door.