Church windows under threat

Linz’s St. Mary’s Cathedral: saving the splendor of color

Work on the Mariazell window in the stained glass workshop in Schlierbach(Bild: Einöder Horst)

Time is taking its toll on the ornate stained glass windows of St. Mary's Cathedral in Linz. A third of them will have to be painstakingly restored by 2030 in the stained glass workshop at Schlierbach Abbey. The "Krone" looked over Kyra Kleinschmidt's shoulder as she worked on the Mariazell window.

The tall, colorful windows of St. Mary's Cathedral in Linz, which was consecrated 100 years ago after 62 years of construction, always create a different atmosphere depending on the incidence of light. There are not only biblical depictions or ornaments, but some of them also depict former "sponsors" of the church building.

Because the ravages of time have taken their toll on the windows, around a third of them have to be restored at great expense. Three windows a year will be restored and the aim is to be finished by 2030. The expert restoration is being carried out by the stained glass workshop at Schlierbach Abbey.

(Bild: Horst Einöder/Flashpictures)

A craft that only a few can still do
"We clean the glass panels, glue broken parts, some of the glass is repainted," says glass painter Kyra Kleinschmidt during the "Krone" site inspection. If a painted pane needs to be replaced, hand-blown glass is used. "There's a lot of love and skill involved in this old craft, which I really like," she says.

Traces of the world war
The greatest damage to the cathedral windows: "The pressure waves from an aerial bomb in the Second World War caused panes to shatter," says Christina Wais, an art historian who is overseeing the restoration.

Exhaust fumes and environmental pollution also affected the windows. The restoration is being carried out in close consultation with the heritage office. Once the restoration is complete, the windows will be fitted with protective glass.

Art historian Christina Wais(Bild: Einöder Horst)

Karl and Zita - picture in the middle(Bild: Einöder Horst)

The last emperor of Austria
The "Mariazell Window" is currently being restored; in addition to the legend of the basilica's origins, prominent pilgrims such as Emperor Karl I and Empress Zita are also depicted. Other figures bear the features of a family of carpenters who once donated the window.

Anyone can help!
The depiction of supporters was important for creating identity and realizing the church. Today, donations are being asked for again, and it is once more about identity, because the Mariendom is a piece of Upper Austrian history.

The Mariazell window is returning to the cathedral these days, in fresh splendor and just in time for the great 100th anniversary celebrations of St. Mary's Cathedral at the end of April. But the work continues: the Kallham-Fallsbach and Mondesee Monastery windows will be saved from decay this year. Donations are welcome from the Pro Mariendom initiative, which supports the landmark. The total costs for the project will amount to around 1.5 million euros by 2030.