Parish Church of the Assumption (Pfarrkirche)

The Pfarrkirche Mariä Himmelfahrt (Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary) is the oldest and most prominent building in St. Johann, its Baroque tower a landmark visible from across the valley. The current church was built in the early 18th century on the foundations of older medieval structures, and its white-and-gold interior is one of the best examples of the Tyrolean Baroque style outside the major cities.

The exterior is photographed constantly — it appears on nearly every postcard of the town — but the interior is the real reward: ornate stucco work, ceiling frescoes, and an elaborate high altar that fills the east end. Services are still held regularly, so check before visiting if you want uninterrupted time inside.

The church stands at the centre of the pedestrian zone, a few minutes' walk from the bus station and the main lifts.

things to do sight
A story
The church's elaborate Baroque interior, painted in brilliant white with gold detailing, was completed in the 1720s — the heyday of the Tyrolean Baroque style that also produced the great pilgrimage churches of the Inn valley. The frescoes in the nave, depicting the life of the Virgin, are by Simon Benedikt Faistenberger, one of the leading Tyrolean painters of the period.