Gurk Cathedral
Reading Time: 0:40 min
The Gurk Cathedral is a Romanesque pillar basilica, situated in the town of Gurk, in the Austrian province of Carinthia. Originally a cathedral, it now serves as the co-cathedral of the Catholic Diocese of Gurk. The construction of the building took place between 1140 and 1200 CE, and it is recognised as one of the most significant Romanesque structures in Austria.
Following its consecration in 1174 CE, the tomb of Saint Hemma of Gurk was relocated to the cathedral from the former Gurk Abbey, a Benedictine nunnery that she had founded in 1043 CE.
The abbey was dissolved by Archbishop Gebhard of Salzburg between 1070 and 1072 CE to fund the newly established Diocese of Gurk and the construction of the cathedral. The cathedral chapter, which was founded in 1123 CE, relocated to Klagenfurt in 1787 CE.
Construction
Reading Time: 0:15 min
The cathedral is an elongated structure featuring a westwork with two towers, a gallery, a crypt, and three apses.
The crypt, with its 100 columns, is the oldest part of the building.
Situated in the rural Gurktal, the cathedral’s remarkable twin spires, each reaching a height of 60 metres, are visible from a considerable distance.
