“Lost in time,” a visitor murmured, “yet somehow, eternally present.” The Pankraz-Kircherl, perched on its rocky outcrop, seems to defy the passage of centuries. The Pankraz-Kircherl isn’t just a church. It’s a story etched in stone, a testament to faith and resilience. This High Baroque masterpiece, nestled below the ruins of Haunsberg Castle, has witnessed a fascinating interplay of history and devotion. Archbishop Johann Ernst von Thun envisioned this sanctuary, and in 1706, using stones from the crumbling castle, construction began. Just a year later, the Pankraz-Kircherl was consecrated. Its very walls whisper tales of a bygone era, a time when the Lords of Haunsberg held sway.
The Pankraz-Kircherl’s history intertwines with that of the castle. A chapel within the castle walls is mentioned as early as 1402. As the castle fell into ruin, the archbishop decided to build a new church, dedicated to Saint Pancras. He funded the project himself, demonstrating his commitment to the community and his faith. The church quickly became a place of pilgrimage, drawing people from near and far. In 1733, the old castle chapel was restored to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims. A Mesnerhaus, the caretaker’s house, was added in 1758, followed by the “geistliche Stöckl,” a small building used for spiritual gatherings. Interestingly, this building also housed a tavern, a tradition that continues to this day in the adjacent Gasthaus “Schlössl.”
Inside the Pankraz-Kircherl, the artistry of the High Baroque period unfolds. The main altar, crafted in 1707 by Balthasar Köbl, features a statue of Saint Pancras. Flanking him are figures of Saints Rupert and Virgil, Salzburg’s patron saints, created by Simeon Fries. Adam Pürkmann’s painting of the Holy Trinity graces the altarpiece. Two side altars, also from 1708, display more of Fries’s sculptures and Pürkmann’s paintings, depicting scenes such as the Nativity and Saint Anthony the Hermit. Two ornate pulpits, adorned with baroque stucco by Josef Schmidt, stand as testaments to the craftsmanship of the era. Look closely, and you’ll discover eight panels from 1750. They depict scenes from the life of Saint Pancras, the ice saint believed to protect crops from frost.
The Pankraz-Kircherl has undergone several renovations, most recently between 2000 and 2004. During this restoration, workers uncovered the foundations of a previously unknown Renaissance castle. Archaeologists believe it may have been a hunting lodge for the Salzburg archbishops, built after the Haunsberg Castle’s demise. So, as you stand before the Pankraz-Kircherl, remember, you’re not just looking at a beautiful church. You’re standing on layers of history, a place where faith, power, and artistry converged, leaving a legacy that endures.