Pfarrkirche Hellmonsödt

Gothic parish church "St Alexius" - built in 1441

The first church in Hellmonsödt was probably destroyed in the Hussite invasions in the first half of the 15th century. In 1441, Johann (Hanns) von Starhemberg had the present church built in the late Gothic style typical of the time: The nave and the two side aisles are separated by six octagonal columns. The cross-ribbed vault impresses with its simplicity. The net ribbed vault in the chancel, which was built around 100 years later to replace an older choir, is richer and more sophisticated. The patron saint of the church is St Alexius. The church and its interior were burnt down in a major fire in 1804. In 1913, the high altar purchased from the monastery church in Pupping was consecrated. The altarpiece was painted by Bartholomäo Altomonte. The church tower is 46 metres high. The crypt was built in 1520, extended in 1689 and was the burial place of the Starhemberg family until 1825. An inscription on each of the 10 coffins states who is buried inside. A child who died in 1825 is not decomposed but mummified and can be seen through a glass plate.
A brochure about the Starhemberger burial monuments is available from the parish office.