Pilgrimage Architecture as an Experiential Space: Religious topography and the visual presentation of places of grace in the early modern period (Collegiate Church of the Holy Cross in Polling and Schönenberg Pilgrimage Church in Ellwangen)

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The project will explore the architectural representation and interpretation of ‘places of grace and wonder’ in two case studies. How were architectural concepts that were both practical for religious purposes and had an impactful appearance developed in liturgically and structurally complex circumstances? To what extent can they be seen as pioneering in the genre of pilgrimage churches? And how did they set new standards in the religious architecture of their time? Both churches were characterized by the reclassification and presentation of an existing pilgrimage by means of extensive rebuilding. In Polling, this involved the renovatio of a late-Gothic hall church with all religious and liturgical functions being redefined in the eastern extension, and in Schönenberg surrounding a chapel of grace which had existed for decades with the first church to be built in the Vorarlberg cathedral style. These variants of architectural ‘shrouding’ are rooted in the purpose of the pilgrimage and are to be re-evaluated as specific presentation forms of early modern places of grace against the background of early modern religious architecture. Referring closely to the subprojects, religious action by individuals, groups and public officials as well as the perception of elaborate visual and acoustic offerings will be summarized under the term ‘experiential space’ and analysed regarding their respective architectural interpretation. Working on the basis of fertile yet barely evaluated sources, the conceptualization of hopes for salvation is to be explored. The aim is to produce two monographs which as well as the case studies re-examine many other related religious buildings.