The Haydn Church (Bergkirche)
The pilgrim church "Visitation" was built between 1715 and 1803 according to plans drawn up by Prince Paul I. Esterházy. Unfortunately, the prince did not live to see the groundbreaking ceremony as he died from the plague in 1713.
The portion of the church that can be visited today represents merely the presbytery of the church originally planned. It was to be a place of worship of enormous proportions. The high altar picture "The Visitation" is a copy of a painting by Dorffmeister and dates back to 1797.
The ceiling fresco "The Ascension of Christ" was painted in 1722 by two local fresco painters, Wolfgang and Christian Köpp. The famous organ Haydn used to play on is located on the gallery. Several compositions for mass were first performed here and conducted by Joseph Haydn himself.
The Haydn Mausoleum is located right under the north tower. It is the famous composer's dignified and evocative place of burial.
Thousands of music lovers from all corners of the globe visit the mausoleum every year.
Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) had been employed with the Esterházy family for more than 40 years. After his death he was first buried in Vienna. In 1820 his remains were transferred to Eisenstadt and put into their final resting place, the mausoleum, in 1954.
1953/54 and 1973/74 the entire building underwent general restoration.
Information:
Pfarre Oberberg Haydnplatz 1,
Tel.: 02682/62638 , Handy: 0650/621700
Fax: 02682/62638-4
E-mail: pfarre(at)haydnkirche.at
Internet: www.haydnkirche.at