Domkirche, Innsbruck

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The Dom zu St Jakob or St James' Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Innsbruck (a status the church was only elevated to in 1964). The cathedral is an 18th century baroque church with an attractive twin towered exterior and a richly decorated interior with beautiful frescoes over walls and ceilings.

Although there had already been a church on the site for centuries, construction of the existing cathedral began in 1717 and was completed in 1722, with the dedication to St James the apostle, son of Zebedee, taking place in September 1724.

The interior decoration was not completed until 1732 but was heavily damaged by bombing in December 1944. Major restoration work took place between 1946 and 1950.

Entry to the cathedral is free and the cathedral is open from 7.30am to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 8am on Sunday. Photos are allowed, but don't use a flash and obviously be discreet and respectful during services.#

I have put more photos of the cathedral in a travelogue.

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It has been long since I was in Austria. I still remember that summer because we visited many religious sites and historical castles in 6 different countries. When leaving Austria, we drove through Innsbruk to Northern Italy, it was on this road that Peter decided to take me to Domkirche Cathedral. It is an architectural wonder of the Baroque architect Herkommer. Peter seemed to know much about it’s history so we did not go on a guided tour. Apparently the cathedral suffered damage during the world Wars and was restore in the years after the war.

On the outside, the cathedral looks like many churches you have seen, nothing particularly eye catching. What makes it exceptional is the alter dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The interior is so intricately put to honor nothing short of a deity. I should like to return there sometime on a European whirlwind for Sacred Sites/ destinations. Highly recommended.

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Remodified between 1717 and 1724 it contains the grave of Erzherzog Maximilian III by the german artist Caspar Graz 1620.
One interesting detail are the ceiling paintings - there was a group with a guide when I entered , so I learned that there are no domes actually ,but the paintings are painted on a flat surface and made in a way to create an optical illusion - see for yourself :))

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Based on designs by the Baroque architect Johann Jakob Herkommer, the Domkirche was rebuilt between 1717 and 1724. The church was heavily damaged during World War II, but has since been restored.The cathedral is roofed with domes and features a lavish Baroque interior. The main attraction is the high altar painting of Maria Hilf (Mary of Succor) by Lucas Cranach the Elder.

In the north aisle, look for a 1620 monument honoring Archduke Maximilian III, who died in 1618.

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On the main altar you can see the wonderful Lady realized by Lucas The Old in 1520. The frame around the painting was made J. Schopf in 1789.
The Baroque pulpit is work of N.Moll. In the left transept you can see the interesting canopy mausoleum of the archduke Max I realized by Gras and Gerhard in 1629.

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The interior of the cathedral has got a single nave and covered by domes adorned with plasters made by E.Q. Asam in 1723 and frescos made by C.D. Asam among 1722 and 1724. You can see seven great marble altars and statues realized by J.G.Fisher among the 1725s and 1732.

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The cathedral of st. Jacob is the most important church for the Catholics in Tirol . The cathedral is one of the greatest examples of Baroque in Tirol. The actual structure was built among 1717 and 1724 by two important architects: J.J. Herkommer and J.G. Fisher. The concave facade is in stone to whose sides there are two tall belltowers. The church was seriously damaged by the bombardments of December 1944.

Domkirche zu sk. Jacob was originally built about 650 years ago in the Gothic style, but was given a major Baroque facelift during the period from 1717 to 1724. The single large dome is typical of high Baroque Tirolean architecture. Shown on the left is one of the two identical bell towers.

The most famous interior artwork is the Mariahilfbild at the main altar. The church is open to the public most of the time during daylight hours.

Innsbruck's cathedral looks best from the river, where its twin spires prick up like the ears of an attentive pinscher. It would have been even better if the view wasn't obscured by the houses built just in front of it. As it is getting a picture of the cathedral in its entirety seems a fruitless exercise, except perhaps with a wide angled lens in the courtyard just in front.

The St James Cathedral was built between 1717 and 1724 on the site of a previous church. You can go inside and view the baroque interior and it costs only a donation. The cathedral is open until 7.30pm (6.30pm in the winter) and is closed on Saturdays.

The paintings at the ceiling of Domkirche St.Jakob were made by Cosma Damian Asam in 1722 and show the life of the holy Jakob, the holy patron of that church.
In Munich you may see Asam-church, in Sendlingerstrasse, close to Marienplatz, a church that was totally built and decorated by the Asam-brothers (see my Munich-page )