Is it possible that the stones of Filialkirche St. Georg could speak? They would tell tales spanning millennia. This church is not just a building. It is a landmark on the Georgenberg in Kuchl. The Georgenberg itself is a natural monument in the Salzachtal.
Let’s delve into the Georgenberg’s past. Archaeological finds confirm settlement here dating back to the New Stone Age. That is from about 4500 to 1800 BC. When the Romans arrived around 15 BC, they marked Cuculle as a post. It was a rest station on the Tabula Peutingeriana.
Was Cuculle the same as the castellum Cucullis mentioned in the Vita Severini? It is debated but Roman artifacts have been found here. Around 700 AD, the Agilolfingerherzog Theodo II gifted Locum Cucullos to the Salzburg Bishopric. Around 1000 AD, an Ottonian church was built. This coincides with the naming of a county in the Kuchltal. The Counts of Plain likely built a fortification on the Georgenberg.
Now, about the Filialkirche St. Georg itself. In 1962 and 1963, excavations revealed an early Christian predecessor church. It dated back to the 5th century. Another Ottonian building is believed to have existed in the 10th or 11th centuries. Inside the church, a Romanesque fresco fragment was found. It is from the 12th or 13th century. The first documented mention of the church was in 1243. The tower was rebuilt in 1882.
The Filialkirche St. Georg has long been a place of pilgrimage. People come here to pray for the well-being of their livestock. Every year on April 23rd, a procession circles the church. During this Georgitag, wooden animal figures are carried around the altar. For a small fee, about 30 figures are used. These figures are mostly modern toys.
Architecturally, the Filialkirche St. Georg showcases late Gothic style. It has a single nave and a west tower. The exterior features a simple design. There is a surrounding base, a Gothic groove, and a shingle gable roof. On the north side are two broad shingle-covered buttresses. The choir has a polygonal end. It is made of conglomerate stone. It also has a stepped buttress. The windows are high and rectangular. A late Gothic window can be seen on the southwest side. The rounded arch portal has a wooden door from the 17th century. A marble outdoor pulpit stands on the south wall. It has a shingle roof dating to 1649. The tower is made of conglomerate rock. It features round arch openings and a shingle spire. In the late 17th century, a single-story sacristy was added on the north side.
Inside Filialkirche St. Georg, the nave has a late Gothic star vault. The chancel echoes this design. The sacristy portal dates to the late 17th century. A staircase to the pulpit is located inside the sacristy.
The late Gothic west gallery has a ribbed vault. It rests on marble columns. The gallery features remarkable stone tracery. Access to the outdoor pulpit and tower is from the gallery.
The Baroque high altar was crafted in 1716 by Johann Pfister. The sculptures are by Johann Georg Mohr. Simon Jakob Lamberti painted the upper image of St. Michael. The side altars, also by Lamberti, depict the weather saints John and Paul. Tobias Köl painted the altar frontals. They show the Death of Mary and St. George.
The pulpit features a hexagonal marble basket from the 17th century. Johann Pfister added the sound cover in 1698. Images of the Fourteen Holy Helpers adorn the walls.
Adam Müller built the organ in 1837.
As we conclude our visit to the Filialkirche St. Georg, remember its long history. From early settlements to its role as a place of worship, it has stood the test of time. Take a moment to appreciate the blend of architectural styles and the artistry within. It is a testament to the enduring power of faith and community.