Bergkirche and Calvary – Eisenstadt (Kismarton)
On the Calvary Hill of Eisenstadt (Kismarton), Palatine Paul Esterházy built one of the largest pilgrimage sites of his age. The Baroque Calvary and the Bergkirche beside it are also known today as the resting place of Joseph Haydn.
The foundation stone of the Calvary was laid in 1701, it was consecrated by the Bishop of Győr in 1707, and the Chapel of the Cross was completed by 1710. It was modelled on the Calvary of Maria Lanzendorf, and Esterházy invited its builder, the Franciscan brother Felix Nierinck, to Eisenstadt. Instead of the usual fourteen there are twenty-four stations here; altogether 260 wooden and 60 stone statues, 10 chapels and 18 altars present the Passion.
The pilgrimage site quickly became popular: up to 125 processions arrived each year, and in 1711 more than 450,000 pilgrims visited it. Many still make pilgrimages to the dressed and crowned statue of Mary in the lower chapel of the Calvary.
Paul Esterházy designed the Bergkirche, dedicated to the Visitation of Mary, as a huge pilgrimage church. Its foundation stone was laid in 1715, but it was only consecrated in 1803. Most of Joseph Haydn's six late Masses were first performed here, and since 1932 the composer's coffin has rested in a mausoleum created inside the church.
Pilgrimage feast: The feast day of the Bergkirche is the Visitation of Mary, 2 July.
Visiting: The church and the Calvary stand on Calvary Hill, a short walk from the centre of Eisenstadt and Esterházy Palace.
Sources: Wikipedia (German) – Calvary · Wikipedia (German) – Bergkirche · Hungarian Catholic Lexicon
Photo: C.Stadler/Bwag / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Pe-Jo / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Town:
Eisenstadt (Kismarton)