Refurbishment of the basilica Sonntagberg: Next steps until 2026 unveiled!

Refurbishment of the basilica Sonntagberg: Next steps until 2026 unveiled!

Sonntagberg, Österreich - On April 10, 2025, the ninth board of trustees for renovation of the Basilica Sonntagberg took place. Significant representatives, including diocesanbish, met Bazil, President of the Federal Monument Office, and Abbot Peter Pilsinger. The aim was to discuss the previous progress of the restoration and the upcoming renovation measures by 2026.

The general renovation of the pilgrimage church has been running since 2015 and includes comprehensive measures that are carried out in 2023 and 2024. These include the restoration of the spatial shell and six side chapels. The pulpit and other parts of the equipment also get special attention. Forn measures are also carried out on the facade.

Details on the renovation phases

The upcoming tenth stage provides for the restoration of the interior, including high altar, pews and baptismal basins. A climate spare is also installed to optimize the indoor climate. In the eleventh stage, the organ, votive pictures as well as the remaining facades of the Neuhaus and the historic Turkenbrunnen are restored. The total costs for this double stage amount to 900,000 euros, plus 30,000 euros for electrical installations.

The project for revitalizing the Sonntagberg has a term of ten years and is estimated at more than 6 million euros. The state of Lower Austria, the municipality of Sonntagberg, the Federal Monument Office and the Diocese of St. Pölten work in hand.

technology and monument protection

modern technologies play a crucial role in monument conservation, especially when renovating the basilica. Processes such as 3D scanning enable precise digital recording of historical buildings, which serves as the basis for the analysis and planning of the restoration. Technologies such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) revolutionize monument protection because they facilitate the exchange between different experts and enable structured recording of the construction data of historical buildings. These digital tools are indispensable to make damage and structural weaknesses visible and to develop sustainable solutions to maintain the cultural heritage.

diocesan bishop Alois Schwarz emphasized the inner stability and consolation that the Sonntagberg offers people. Christoph Bazil emphasized the special cooperation in Lower Austria, which contributes significantly to the preservation of the cultural heritage. Abbot Peter Pilsinger was pleased with the renovation of the high altar, which is considered the theological center of the church.

State exhibition 2026: Sonntagberg will play a central role in the upcoming state exhibition, which further underlines the importance and value of the restoration projects.