St. Stephan's Church

​The mighty church (one of the hightest in Austria) constructed in the 15th century is an important example of late Gothic church architecture.

The mighty church (one of the hightest in Austria) constructed in the 15th century is an important example of late Gothic church architecture. The master contractor was Stephan Krumenauer. The slender seven-storey tower is the landmark of the town Braunau and the region "Innviertel".

The onion spire was placed on top of the church in the 18th century. On the outside walls of the church you can see precious ornamental inscriptions, epitaphs. Amongst them - at the north side - is one of Hans Staininger, known as the "Long Bearded Man" and town leader inthe 16th century. Inside the church you will find an inverted ship-hull main aisle with seven cross-beams. Along the inner sides, through secluded buttress, twelve beautiful shaped chapels come into existence. A glance upwards will reveal a net-domed vaulting. The capitals of the mighty pillars are decorated with apostles and angel heads.

The décor of the church is rich in works of art steming from the time of its establishment until present time: In the late 15th century originated the well-known and precious "Bäckeraltar", one of the few gotic altars with side wings that survived in Upper Austria. In the 17th century Martin Zürn redecorated the church in baroque style. Remains of the baroque high-altar can be seen at hte northern choir-wall.