Stiftspfarrkirche Lambach

The Stiftspfarrkirche Lambach stands beside the River Traun in the town of Lambach, Upper Austria. It forms part of Lambach Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century. The church is dedicated to the Assumption of Mary and also serves as the parish church for Lambach. The entire abbey complex is protected as a national monument. The church’s history stretches back to a Romanesque building consecrated in 1089. After damage in 1233 it was rebuilt, then enlarged under Abbot Johann III von Dachsberg in the 15th century. A complete Baroque reconstruction between 1652 and 1656 followed the designs of Philiberto Lucchese. Emperor Joseph II later made it the parish church, turning the old parish church into a cemetery chapel. Inside, the nave shows strong Baroque lines with barrel vaults and paired pilasters. The westwork from the Romanesque period still holds early frescoes of the enthroned Virgin and scenes from Christ’s life. The high altar, completed in 1717, echoes the great altar of Mariazell and was designed by Antonio Beduzzi. Two organs, one from 1657 and a smaller choir organ added in 2008, fill the building with sound. Six bells hang in the twin towers, joined by a historic clock bell from 1721.