Nikolaikirche Villach — Attraction in Villach

1309 a parish Saint Nicholas is mentioned for the first time. This original church stood south-east of today's church on Trattengasse. The parish, whose territory lies north of the Drau , belonged to the diocese of Laibach from 1461 to 1751 .

In 1627, as part of the Counter-Reformation , Capuchins were summoned to Villach, who built a church dedicated to St. Ludwig and a Capuchin monastery in 1629-1633 on the current site of the Nikolaikirche. Founders were Anna Maria Proy and Countess Ursula von Thannhausen. The damage to the buildings from the 1690 earthquake was repaired in 1691.

In a fire in 1786, the Capuchin church, the monastery library and the church of St. Nicholas to the south-east suffered severe damage. In the same year, the Capuchin Church became the seat of the parish of St. Nicholas. In the following year the Capuchin monastery was closed and the former Capuchin church was converted into a parish church. A three-storey west tower with an onion dome was added and the monastery was partially demolished.

In 1886 the parish was handed over to the Franciscans. A Franciscan monastery was built using the former Capuchin vicarage. In 1888 the old monastery was demolished and replaced by a new building. In 1892 the former Capuchin church was demolished and in 1892-1893 a neo-Gothic church was built based on a design by Peter Hütter and Father Johann Maria Reiter from Tyrol and consecrated in 1896. In 1906 St. Nikolai was raised to the status of a parish.

During the Second World War the church suffered heavy bomb damage. Windows and roof had to be renewed in 1945. Further restorations were carried out in 1967, 1984 and 1995, and in 1981 the crypt was adapted for...

Miraculous image of grace in St. Nikolai Church Villach; formerly from a church in Russia that was burned down. Many prayers were answered here infront...

Love the quietness and peacefulness when we entered the church. Beautiful , the arts on the wall tells the story of crucifixion of...