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St. Ruprecht's Church
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St. Ruprecht's Church (German:
Ruprechtskirche) is usually considered the oldest church in Vienna and is
dedicated to Saint Rupert of Salzburg. It is located in one of the oldest
parts of the city, the section of the Roman Vindobona. According to legend,
it was founded by Cunald and Gisalrich, companions of Rupert during his
occupation of the seat of bishop of Salzburg. |
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However, because Salzburg had
influence over religious issues in Vienna between 796 and 829, it is more
probable that it was founded in this period. The first reference in
historical documentation is in a document of 1200 when Duke Heinrich II
Jasomirgott describes a gift to the Schottenstift church. The document also
mentions St. Ruprecht's Church, which is labeled the oldest in the city.
After the destruction of the Roman settlement, the core part of the city
grew in the area near the church. It was the seat of the religious
administration before that function was transferred to the Stephansdom in
1147. During the Middle Ages, the church was the seat of the Salt Office (Salzamt),
which distibuted salt to individual buyers and ensured its quality. The
church has been rebuilt and altered many times in its history. In 1276, it
was damaged by fire and modified. In 1622, it was redecorated in a baroque
style. It was also somewhat damaged by shellfire during World War II and
affected by the demolition of the nearby ruins of another building.
The oldest bells in Vienna are located in the church, dating from around
1280. The oldest glass window panes (dating from approximately 1370) can be
found in the church. They depict a crucified Christ and the Madonna with
baby. A statue of the patron saint Rupert is located in the north part of
the main tower. |
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The arch on the western gallery has a
plaque with the label "AEIOU 1439", an undecyphered motto of Emperor
Frederick III. The plaque was designed to commemorate the entrance of the
emperor to Vienna on December 6, 1439. A relic of the sarcophagus of St.
Vitalis is located in the church containing the remains of a claimed
Christian victim from the Roman catacombs. This memorial of victimization
has special meaning in modern times because the Gestapo headquarters, which
was used for torture and the organization of Jewish deportations, was
located nearby in the Morzinplatz square.
There is currently some debate whether
St. Ruprecht's church is truly the oldest church in Vienna. Discoveries of
old foundations under the St. Peter's Church and old graves under the
Stephansdom have disputed the certainty of this label
Text Source: Wikipedia
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