According to the monastery chronicle, the Minorite monastery in Tulln was probably founded in 1225, during the lifetime of the order's founder, Francis of Assisi (died 1226). The monastery was abandoned during the Reformation and only repopulated in 1635. The monastery building and church were generously rebuilt in the late Baroque style between 1713 and 1756. The originally lower tower was raised in 1889 and given a new spire modelled on the parish church in Pöchlarn. As a Franciscan church, it is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, but when it was rebuilt in 1739, St. John of Nepomuk was added as the church's patron saint.
Interior views
The altarpiece on the high altar depicts ‘The Glory of St. Nepomuk’. Mary guides him to heaven, while John Nepomuk implores protection for the city of Tulln, which can be seen in the lower left-hand corner of the painting.
The tabernacle features a replica of the miraculous image of Mariazell.
Pulpit: The relief depicts the recovery of the dead Nepomuk from the Vltava River. Prague and Charles Bridge can be seen in the background.
The organ was renovated in 1944 in a Baroque style. It has 15 registers.
Ceiling frescoes
The pilgrimage of Saint Nepomuk to Altbunzlau
Bridge collapse: the angel's foot falls out of the picture
Nepomuk before King Wenceslas IV
John of Nepomuk as a preacher
John of Nepomuk venerates the Madonna (probably the miraculous image of Old Bunzlau)
John of Nepomuk distributes gifts to the poor as the king's almoner
Side altar
“Filii Dei Nutritor” is the dedication of the altar at the back left, whose altarpiece depicts St. Joseph with Jesus and Mary, surrounded by the figures of Mary's parents, Joachim and Anna. The top picture is a copy of the Passau Maria Hilf image.
Sacristy
The inlaid cabinet, dated 1746, has been preserved unchanged with its Baroque furnishings.
The top of the inlaid cabinet depicts St. Nepomuk.
Lower church
Here lies John of Nepomuk, mourned by the Queen of Bohemia. A view above the altar into the upper church reveals the soul of the deceased on its way to glory, the high altarpiece.
Crouching beside him is an allegorical female figure holding an open book, which the saint is pointing to.
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Danube cycle route
