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St. Nikolaus in Innernzell: A landmark with a rich history!
Find out more about the Catholic parish church of St. Nikolaus in Innernzell, its history and architecture in the Freyung-Grafenau district.
St. Nikolaus in Innernzell: A landmark with a rich history!
On Sunday, December 21, 2025, Bayerischer Rundfunk will broadcast a very special program at 12:00 p.m.: The midday ringing from the Catholic parish church of St. Nikolaus in Innernzell, a charming place in the heart of the Bavarian Forest. Moderator Christian Jungwirth will guide us through the church's sonorous moments that invite reflection and joy. The parish church, which impressively highlights the unique character of the small village with its 1,600 inhabitants when it rings, has an eventful history.
Innernzell has had its name since 1471 in order to differentiate itself from other places with similar names, such as Aussernzell. The roots of the community go back to the 11th century, when a hermit cell was created here under St. Gunther. Pastoral care was taken over by the original parish of Aicha vorm Wald between the 13th and 15th centuries. In 1842, after a construction period of just one year, today's parish church was consecrated. It is an outstanding example of strict classicism and was built by the Passau master builder Erasmus Hofstätter.
History and architecture of the parish church
The Catholic parish church of St. Nicholas is not just a place of faith, but a piece of living history. The church at that time had become so dilapidated and small that it had to be demolished in 1835. The new church can accommodate 400 people - a quarter of the entire congregation size - and is decorated with numerous works of art, including altars and figures that come from the old church.
The high altar is adorned with a statue of the church's patron saint, Nicholas, while a late Gothic Pieta from around 1435 reinforces the spiritual atmosphere. The impressive ceiling painting from 1936, which shows the Annunciation of Mary, completes the artistic design of the church. The elm wood cladding and the subsequent altar redesign in 1969 by the sculptor Wolf Hirtreiter show how tradition and modernity merge harmoniously here.
Bells and background noise
The bells of the parish church also have an eventful history. They were melted down during the Second World War, but since 1949 they have been ringing in all their glory again. Particularly noteworthy is the St. Nicholas Bell, which sounds in the key of G and tells the faithful the time.
The midday ringing from the parish church of St. Nikolaus will give the listener a feeling for the quiet and natural surroundings of Innernzell. This region is known for its untouched nature and invites you not only to linger but also to explore.
Anyone who would like to find out more about the parish church of St. Nicholas and its history can find the details in a comprehensive report on bayerischer-wald.de.
The lunch ringing will be part of BR Heimat's weekly program, which presents churches in Bavaria and rings their bells on Sundays. An excellent opportunity to be inspired by the spiritual majesty and cultural heritage of this region in the homely atmosphere of Innernzell. The show will be a real highlight for anyone who would like to experience the melody of the bells!
If you're interested in more insider tips on transport connections in the area, visit the Moovit page for step-by-step instructions. All the information you need about timetables, arrival forecasts and more can be found here.