Seckau · Assumption of Mary

Location: Chancel / Apse
Dating: early 13th century (installed in the chancel since 1964)
Material/Type: Wood, fully plastic
Artist/Manufacturer: unknown
The impressive crucifixion group in the apse shows the crucified man with outstretched arms that act like wings and lift the body up. The depiction is one of the most valuable Romanesque rood screen groups in the German cultural area and shows Christ as a sovereign king in the transition to the Gothic style. Installed in the chancel by Clemens Holzmeister in 1964.

Location: Chapel of Grace / North Aisle
Dating: 12th century (new version 1950/53)
Material/Type: Marble
Artist/Manufacturer: Venetian School of Art; New version Br. Bernward Schmid
A depiction made of marble shows Mary as an enthroned ruler with the child Jesus. Greek name 'Nikopoia' (bringer of victory). Along with the crucifixion group, it is one of the abbey's most valuable treasures.

Location: Bishop's Chapel / North Aisle
Dating: 1489 (consecrated by Provost Johannes Dürnberger)
Material/Type: Carved wood
Artist/Manufacturer: South Tyrolean workshop
Depiction of the Holy Trinity with three crowned heads from one body, which together carry out the coronation of Mary. Figure of Mary surrounded by 8 angels. Double circle with Christ's family tree. Predella shows the donor, Provost Dürnberger.

Location: Angel Chapel / North Aisle
Dating: 1952–1960
Material/Type: Fresco cycle
Artist / manufacturer: Herbert Boeckl
Scenes from the Revelation of John by Herbert Boeckl. It is one of the most important works of Austrian sacred art since 1945. It owes its creation to the visionary Abbot Benedikt Reetz.

Location: North aisle / eastern part
Dating: 1572–1612
Material/Type: Various (stone, stucco, painting, marble, damask)
Artists / Manufacturers: Sebastian Carlone, Alexander de Verda, Theodor Ghisi
Charles II had a mausoleum built in barrier architecture in two separate bays, raised by 5 steps. Stage-like scenery with the Habsburg coat of arms and the coats of arms of the 23 hereditary countries. Cenotaph made of wine-red mottled marble.

Location: South of the basilica
Dating: 1588
Material/type: Seckauer sandstone, two-story
Artist / manufacturer: Bernhard da Silvo (design)
Two-story building made of Seckau sandstone. During renovation in 1966/67, significant remains of the Romanesque building were discovered and preserved.

Location: South aisle
Dating: 1523
Material/type: wood, combination of late Gothic/early Renaissance
Artist/Manufacturer: Provost Gregor Schärdinger Foundation
Three-part work that combines Gothic winged altar form with Renaissance elements.

In 1142, Adalram von Waldeck went hunting in the forests of the Seckau plateau and followed a magnificent stag. Exhausted, he fell asleep and in his dream saw Mary in bright light, calling out to him 'Hic seca!' - 'Fall here!' He felled the next tree and a stone image of the Virgin Mary fell towards him - the miraculous image of Seckau.

Original altar dedicated to the Three Kings; Mary as 'house patron' - Seckau miraculous image

1218: Establishment of the suffragan diocese of Seckau by Archbishop Eberhard II, church becomes cathedral church, vestibule added
1259: Devastating fire devastates the monastery and Romanesque wooden ceiling; Gothic cloister is created afterwards
1332: Letter of indulgence from Pope John XXII. for believers in the Seckau diocese when venerating the miraculous image
1590: Burial of Archduke Charles II in the mausoleum of the basilica
1625–1628: Completion of the Renaissance building of the monastery complex with a three-story 100m arcade
1782: The monastery was abolished by Emperor Joseph II after 640 years; Decay, deportation of books and art treasures
1883: Repopulation by Beuron Benedictine monks on September 8th
1886: Collapse of the north tower, destruction of part of the north wing
1893: Completion of new church towers in neo-Romanesque style; Extension by 2 bays to the east
1952–1960: Boeckl frescoes in the Angel Chapel
1964: Redesign of the chancel by Clemens Holzmeister
2017/18: Interior restoration on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the diocese; new stone floor, lighting technology

Founding legend: Adalram von Waldeck went hunting in the forests of the Seckau plateau in 1142 and followed a magnificent deer. Exhausted, he fell asleep and in his dream saw Mary in bright light, calling out to him 'Hic seca!' - 'Fall here!' He felled the next tree and a stone image of the Virgin Mary fell towards him - the miraculous image of Seckau.
1259: Devastating monastery fire
1883: Repopulation by Beuron Benedictine monks
1886: Collapse of the north tower