Renovation 2003-2013

In the years 2003 to 2013, the Kollegienkirche was renovated, among other things, by donations from the Salzburg population, from the ground up, inside and out. The renovation cost about 12 million euros. After the renovation is before the renovation: A historic building such as the Kollegienkirche but requires permanent repair work.

The ravages of time have long gnawed at the sacred building, which was built between 1696 and 1707 by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. The walls were damp, the plaster crumbled from the walls and the attic was rotten. Due to a desolate roof skin, moisture and thus mold - the "real dry rot" - could eat into the wood for over a hundred years. A significant source of danger had arisen, which had to be remedied as quickly as possible.

The refurbishment of the more than 300-year-old, listed roof construction was correspondingly complex. The preparation phase, which included an accurate inventory and cleaning work, took several months. The actual renovation took place in two stages. First, the rooftop area affected by dry rot was dried by means of hot air treatment. Then the construction timbers were individually renovated.

Parallel to the roof space, intensive work was carried out on the cornices and facades of the church. These too had to be rid of mold. The painters were busy brushing and washing for some time before they could take the necessary steps to recreate them. In addition to about 16,000 square meters of façade area, it was also necessary to renovate the Mauerbänke and to secure the statics of the building.

These substance-sustaining measures alone lasted around four years.

Afterwards, the windows, the towers and the apse were renovated. After centuries, the window in the apse was completely reopened and the figure of Maria Immaculata in front of it towers over the magnificent Baroque altar in natural backlight. The entire interior shines after its redevelopment in a white Kalklasur, which makes the numerous angel figures shimmer alive. Around 30,000 liters of lime paint were needed for this. Another superlative was set up in the course of the dome refurbishment: Austria's highest interior scaffold (58 meters) was used here for half a year.

In the course of the approximately ten-year renovation work, the stone floors were restored, a windscreen and a barrier-free access achieved, repaired the belt arches and renewed the electrical installation.

The BIG was supported in this project by the Association Heritage Salzburg, the initiative "Save the Kollegienkirche", the BDA, the World Monument Fund, the State of Salzburg, the city of Salzburg, the Archdiocese of Salzburg and numerous private donors and benefactors.

THANK YOU!

CURRENT DONATION REQUEST:

Our Mauracher organ of the Kollegienkirche is in a condition in need of restauiungs.
Help the organ to a new sound with your donation.

Every Euro is valuable

SPARKASSE SALZBURG, IBAN AT61 2040 4000 4209 7444

Can I withdraw the donation?

Yes, further information:
Phone: +43 (662) 841327-79 or via Email