St. George's Cathedral
Wiener Neustadt

St. George's Cathedral, known locally as St.-Georgs-Kathedrale, is a remarkable architectural gem nestled within the historic Wiener Neustädter Burg in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. This magnificent cathedral, which serves as the cathedral of the Austrian Military Diocese and the church of the Theresian Military Academy, is steeped in history and offers visitors a captivating glimpse into Austria's rich cultural and religious heritage.

The History of St. George's Cathedral

The origins of St. George's Cathedral date back to around 1440 when it was constructed by master builder Peter von Pusica under the commission of Emperor Frederick III. Initially dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the church was completed in 1460. However, in 1479, the Order of St. George moved its seat to Wiener Neustadt, leading to the church's rededication to St. George.

One of the most notable historical events associated with the cathedral is the burial of Emperor Maximilian I under the high altar in 1519. Despite having planned a tomb in Innsbruck, Maximilian chose to be interred in St. George's Cathedral, a testament to the church's significance during his reign.

Throughout its history, the cathedral has experienced numerous changes in custodianship, including Jesuits, Cistercians, and Piarists, following the papal dissolution of the Order of St. George in 1600. The church also endured damage from fires in 1608 and 1616, which were subsequently repaired under the supervision of Archduke Maximilian III.

The founding of the Theresian Military Academy by Empress Maria Theresa in 1751 further intertwined the cathedral's fate with the military academy's history. This connection was solidified with the establishment of the military academy's cemetery in 1753 and the construction of the cemetery chapel in the following year.

Despite suffering significant damage during the bombardment of March 12, 1945, the cathedral was swiftly rebuilt, with restoration efforts completed by 1951. The church was rededicated by Vienna's Archbishop Theodor Innitzer, and it became the seat of the Austrian military vicar in 1963. A significant milestone was reached in 1967 when the cathedral was elevated to the status of a daughter of the Lateran Basilica.

Architectural Splendor

St. George's Cathedral is a stunning example of late Gothic architecture. Visitors enter through the grand main portal, constructed in 1777, and ascend a double staircase leading into the cathedral. Above the main entrance, a late 15th-century tympanum fresco depicts Jesus, St. John, and St. Coloman.

The cathedral's interior is equally impressive, with its five-bay star-ribbed vaulted hall completed around 1449. The church spans 32.15 meters in length, 18.80 meters in width, and 15.01 meters in height, with the floor adorned in Untersberg marble. The flat late Gothic ceiling vault is supported by eight round columns, each over 13 meters high. The nave features star-ribbed vaulting, while the side aisles are cross-ribbed.

A gallery encircles the interior on three sides, transitioning into oratories in the chancel area. This gallery is adorned with numerous coats of arms derived from Grünberg's Austrian Chronicle, with 55 coats of arms distributed across the south, west, and north sides. A prominent imperial double-headed eagle and the Habsburg lion are displayed above the organ loft.

The cathedral's nine windows, three on the eastern altar side, three on the west, two on the north, and one on the south, showcase beautiful stained glass, with the eastern windows being particularly notable for their artistic glass paintings.

Notable Features and Artifacts

While the original late Gothic furnishings did not survive, the cathedral's interior has been thoughtfully restored and redesigned to align with modern liturgical guidelines. Noteworthy features include a newly created altar, an elevated floor, and an electric bench heating system. A significant relic is the friderizian reliquary shrine, which was meticulously restored and reassembled in 1989.

One of the few surviving original elements is a column near the right oratory, adorned with well-preserved frescoes from the time of Emperor Frederick III. These frescoes depict scenes from the life of Jesus, based on the Gospel of Luke, and include the Resurrection, Ascension, Pentecost, Assumption of Mary, Coronation of Mary, Adoration of the Magi, Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, Flight into Egypt, and the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple. The column also features a large crucifix, with the corpus dating back to the 14th century, while the cross itself was renewed in 1988.

Altars and Art

The cathedral's altars are a testament to its rich history. Seven steps lead to the original high altar, under which Emperor Maximilian I was buried in 1519. The first Gothic high altar, adorned with a painting by Albrecht Dürer, was replaced by a winged altar commissioned by Archduke Maximilian III. Empress Maria Theresa later donated a new high altar in 1770, along with two baroque side altars.

A statue of St. George, originally placed on the high altar during the Order of St. George's tenure, now stands on the former main altar. This Milanese bronze work from the time of Emperor Frederick III was stolen in 1948, dismembered into 14 pieces, and subsequently restored. The bishop's chair, or cathedra, featuring the Austrian military bishop's coat of arms and motto, is positioned between the people's altar and the right side altar.

The right side altar houses the original Cherry Madonna from around 1470, depicting the Madonna and Child holding a basket of fruit. The left side altar, known as the sacrament altar, features a newly created tabernacle.

Other Treasures

Among the cathedral's treasures is the twelve-sided baptismal font made of Adnet red marble, dating back to the 15th century and likely used for the baptism of Maximilian I in 1459. The reliquary shrine, donated by Emperor Frederick III around 1480, is another highlight. Originally placed near the main entrance, this shrine was dismantled in 1779 and later reassembled during the 1989 restoration.

The cathedral's current organ, the fourth in its history, was built by Johann Marcellinus Kauffmann in 1951. It boasts 23 registers on two manuals and a pedal, with a total of 1,519 sounding pipes, symbolizing the year of Emperor Maximilian I's death.

Votive and commemorative plaques, including a terracotta votive plaque from around 1600 depicting Archduke Maximilian III with the Virgin Mary and St. George, add to the cathedral's historical allure. A red marble slab with the inscription Tell me, silent stone, whose bones you enclose? Look to the right and read the name in bronze marks the resting place of Wolfgang Georg Friedrich von der Pfalz, who died in 1683 while returning from a papal audience in Rome.

St. George's Cathedral in Wiener Neustadt is not just a place of worship but a living testament to Austria's rich history and cultural heritage. Its architectural splendor, historical significance, and artistic treasures make it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring this charming Austrian city.