Pfarrkirche Schladming St. Achatius: A Beacon of Tranquility

Pfarrkirche Schladming St. Achatius stands as a symbol of peace in the town of Schladming. The church's history stretches back to the Middle Ages, with the first documented mention in 1299 as a branch of the parish in Haus im Ennstal. The church is dedicated to St. Achatius, a Roman soldier and one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers.The Pfarrkirche's architecture reflects a blend of styles, with its core being late Gothic. In the early 16th century, the church was expanded into a three-aisled hall church. The tower, a notable feature, received its onion-shaped dome in 1832. After a fire in 1931, the dome was reconstructed to its original design in 1937.Inside, the high altar, created between 1702 and 1704 by Peter Hafner and Martin Neuberg, showcases St. Achatius surrounded by figures of the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Evangelist, and John the Baptist. Side altars depict St. Luke, the Coronation of Mary, and a Rosary altar. The church also features a figure of St. Sebastian and a Madonna. The stained-glass windows fill the interior with color.During the 16th century, Schladming experienced a religious divide during the Reformation, with early Protestant services held in the church in 1522 by Saxon miners. However, the Counter-Reformation brought an end to these services, and it wasn't until 1857 that an independent Protestant church was established in Schladming. In the same year, the Pfarrkirche became an independent parish. Today, the Pfarrkirche Schladming St. Achatius is a place of worship and a historical landmark.