St. Paul’s Church stands at the North Gate of the old town at a curve in the narrow cobblestoned streets known as St. Paul’s Bow. In a Bavarian city filled with historic churches and cathedrals, this church is the oldest, dating from the year 1050, ordained to honor St. Paul. The original building was destroyed during two fires: 1512 and 1662, with the present structure built in 1678. A staircase in pink and cream leads to the entrance portico and a delicately carved doorway. The design of the edifice was by Carlo Antonio Carlone (1635-1708), a Swiss-born master builder who was responsible for building many monasteries in Upper Austria during the 17th century.  The interior of the church, with pale walls accented in pastel pink, are contrasted with carved and painted detailing in black. These details include the high altar dating to 1700 with a painting by Franz Tamm showing the decapitation of the Apostle Paul. The elaborate pulpit and massive side altars towering to the ceiling were created between 1678 and 1689. The side altars are framed with columns enhanced with gold-leafed capitals and other architectural details. Beautiful, rosy-cheeked angels enhance the pulpit and the altars as well, further embellishing the pale pink of the interior plasterwork. The spire of St. Paul’s Church was built during the 20th century.

PHOTOS: Top Three: 1. Carved doorway to St. Paul’s Church. 2. The exterior and  tower of St. Pauls Church. 3. Interior of t he  nave of the church. Middle Three: 1. Side aisle of the nave with pulpit and side altars in black. 2. Detail, side altar. 3. High altar.  Bottom Three: 1. Detail: pulpit animated with sculptures and wood carvings with gilt. 2. Detail: rosy-cheeked angel carving on one of the side altars. 3.  Detail: pale colors of the baroque plasterwork ceiling in the nave of the church.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                   BACK TO MAP  PAGE