Deanery parish church of St. Vitus in Zell am Ziller

On a warm fall day in Zell am Ziller, Anna and Max decide to explore the cultural heart of the town: the deanery parish church of St. Vitus. As soon as they enter the baroque building, they sense the impressive history and spiritual significance hidden within its walls.

The history of the church

The deanery parish church was built in the Baroque style in the 18th century, but its origins go back much further - a church is said to have stood on this site as early as the 8th century. The current church was built between 1771 and 1779 and has shaped the image of Zell am Ziller ever since. Anna and Max find it fascinating to learn that this church has been a place of faith and community for centuries. St. Vitus, patron saint of the church, is a central figure in the history of faith.

Works of art and paintings

Anna, who is particularly interested in art, is amazed by the baroque paintings and frescoes. The ceiling of the church is artistically decorated with frescoes depicting the life of St. Vitus. Max, who tends to admire the architecture, raises his eyes to the richly decorated pulpit and the side altars, which are made of dark wood and decorated with golden details. The works of the artist Franz Anton Zeiller, which depict religious scenes in warm colors, are particularly eye-catching. For Anna and Max, the interior of the church is a true work of art and gives them the feeling of being transported to another time.

The Blessed Engelbert Kolland

When the two discover the monument to Engelbert Kolland, another exciting story is revealed to them. Blessed Engelbert Kolland, who came from Zell am Ziller, was a Franciscan priest who went to the Middle East as a missionary. He was killed there during an uprising in 1860 and later beatified by the Catholic Church. Anna and Max are impressed by the connection of this small town to such a significant religious event and the fact that his memory is still honored in the church today.

A spiritual experience

After an extensive tour of the church, Anna and Max sit quietly in one of the back pews. They take a moment of silence to soak up the atmosphere. The scent of incense hangs in the air and subdued light falls through the colorful stained glass windows onto the old stone walls. Both feel moved by the spiritual energy that this place radiates.

For Anna and Max, the visit to the deanery parish church of St. Vitus was not only a cultural highlight, but also an experience that gave them the feeling of being deeply immersed in the history and faith of the Zillertal.