Bürgerspitalskapelle

The Bürgerspitalskapelle stands just south of Bleiburg’s main parish church, attached to the old Bürgerspital built in 1554. In 1766 the chapel was rebuilt at the same time as the hospital, creating a single-storey sacral space with a western straight end and an eastern gable tower topped by a bulbous dome. After decades as a storehouse, the chapel was handed to the local Protestant parish in 1967 on condition they maintain it, and it is now also used for municipal cultural events. Inside, the three-bay nave is covered by a barrel vault with lunettes resting on plain pilasters. The east gallery is carried on a flat barrel with smaller lunettes, while the western wall is unbroken. The entire decoration dates from 1766, when two large medallions in the vault showed the martyrdom of Saint Erasmus and a scene with Saint Alexius. Smaller lunettes depict the virtues of Patience and Charity, and the gallery front carries a painted landscape featuring Saint Notburga among riders. The main feature is the late-baroque side-altar from the third quarter of the 18th century. A central statue of Saint Erasmus on clouds is flanked by carved figures of John of God and Saint Notburga. A contemporary canvas portrays Erasmus Kumesch presenting the building plans, and the original 1766 pews remain in place. The chapel’s restrained plaster bands and corner quoins frame these rich furnishings, giving a clear view of the period’s ecclesiastical art.