Parish Church | Berwang
Zum heiligen Apostel Jakobus dem Älteren
First mentioned in 1434, but remodeled several times, parish church in the village of Berwang. It belongs to the deanery of Breitenwang or the diocese of Innsbruck.
History:
A previously existing Gothic chapel was expanded between 1730 and 1734 by the addition of a Romanesque nave and consecrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ferdinand Joseph Graf von Sarntheim on 13.10.1734. From this time only the Gothic chancel can be found today. One year later, the painter Paul Zeiller, well known in the region, painted the high altar picture "Mary hands over the Rosary to Saints Dominic, James and Andrew", which today hangs on a side wall in the presbytery of the church. In 1744, a new altar, a new confessional pews and the pulpit, which is still preserved today, were added.
The two side altars were consecrated in honor of St. Sebastian as well as Mary. After a large dust avalanche damaged both the windows and the tower of the church in 1816, it was rebuilt 10m shorter.
The baroque high altar was replaced by a neo-Gothic one in the course of a large-scale restoration of the church in 1879/1880. The first ceiling painting, which is no longer preserved, was also created at this time. In 1944-1948, the interior of the church was completely remodeled: Both the altars and the Stations of the Cross from the 18th century as well as the ceiling frescoes were either sold or demolished.
Since then, the high altar has been decorated with an impressive carving depicting the Last Supper, adorned by two neo-Gothic turrets. The side altars were both replaced by wall paintings of Mary and St. Sebastian, respectively, but these were soon painted over again.
Today, the right side altar has a crucifix over life-size and a relief of St. Sebastian. A statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on the left side altar. The ceiling paintings today depict the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Shepherds, and St. Cecilia with angels playing music. In 1946, the Ten Commandments were also pictorially depicted on the parapet of the double gallery.
History:
A previously existing Gothic chapel was expanded between 1730 and 1734 by the addition of a Romanesque nave and consecrated by Auxiliary Bishop Ferdinand Joseph Graf von Sarntheim on 13.10.1734. From this time only the Gothic chancel can be found today. One year later, the painter Paul Zeiller, well known in the region, painted the high altar picture "Mary hands over the Rosary to Saints Dominic, James and Andrew", which today hangs on a side wall in the presbytery of the church. In 1744, a new altar, a new confessional pews and the pulpit, which is still preserved today, were added.
The two side altars were consecrated in honor of St. Sebastian as well as Mary. After a large dust avalanche damaged both the windows and the tower of the church in 1816, it was rebuilt 10m shorter.
The baroque high altar was replaced by a neo-Gothic one in the course of a large-scale restoration of the church in 1879/1880. The first ceiling painting, which is no longer preserved, was also created at this time. In 1944-1948, the interior of the church was completely remodeled: Both the altars and the Stations of the Cross from the 18th century as well as the ceiling frescoes were either sold or demolished.
Since then, the high altar has been decorated with an impressive carving depicting the Last Supper, adorned by two neo-Gothic turrets. The side altars were both replaced by wall paintings of Mary and St. Sebastian, respectively, but these were soon painted over again.
Today, the right side altar has a crucifix over life-size and a relief of St. Sebastian. A statue of the Virgin Mary was placed on the left side altar. The ceiling paintings today depict the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Shepherds, and St. Cecilia with angels playing music. In 1946, the Ten Commandments were also pictorially depicted on the parapet of the double gallery.
Opening hours
The parish church can be visited at any time