Charnel House
Location
Located to the south of the Parish Church of Saint George, the Romanesque charnel house is a two-storey circular structure dating from the 12th or 13th century.
Largest Charnel House in Carinthia
Originally constructed as a charnel house, it served to store the bones exhumed from nearby graves. It is regarded as the largest charnel house in Carinthia and ranks among the most notable structures of its type in the German-speaking world.
Architecture
The two-storey circular structure from the Romanesque period is characterised by its solid masonry, conical shingle roof, and plain facades.
Romanesque round-arched windows and a restrained, clear design define the building’s external appearance.
The charnel house presents a harmonious combination of Romanesque architectural form, a late Gothic ribbed vault and a quiet, contemplative atmosphere.
Entrance
The entrance, originally situated on the eastern side, was later relocated to the north. The lintel is formed from a fluted Roman pilaster.
Oldest Stone Monument in St. Veit
To the right of the entrance is a fragment of a Carolingian interlace stone, regarded as the oldest stone monument in St Veit. It provides valuable evidence of a possible Early Medieval settlement in the area.
Interior
The interior is dominated by a larger-than-life Late Gothic crucifix, a masterpiece of woodcarving from around 1500. This Crucifix formed part of a larger Crucifixion group and was installed here during a redesign in the mid-20th century.
Inside the building, there is a Roman votive inscription dedicated to the god Jupiter Dolichenus, donated by Ti. Claudius Quitilianus and Rutenia Severina (CIL III 4790).
Repurposed as a War Memorial
In 1930, the building was repurposed as a war memorial for the town. Frescoes by Switbert Lobisser and a monumental serpentine sarcophagus were added at the time but were later removed.
Restoration
The interior was comprehensively restored in 1987.
Historical Photographs
Source: Archive of the Municipal Authority of St. Veit an der Glan
Charnel House, located on Kirchplatz
Photograph taken around 1930
Charnel House with Arched Entrance
Photograph taken in 1966
Late Gothic Crucifix
Photograph taken around 1965
A masterpiece of woodcarving from circa 1500
Charnel House Interior
Photograph taken around 1955
The interior view of the charnel house shows frescoes featuring soldier motifs by Swibert Lobisser. These were painted on the walls because the building was used as a war memorial from 1930 onwards. The photo was taken before the renovation.