A 600-Year-Old Cultural Gem Brought Back to Life

The medieval old town of Hall in Tirol is a treasure trove of history—home to around 350 listed monuments, accounting for seven percent of Tyrol’s entire cultural heritage. Yet among these jewels, one stands out in particular: the Schneiderkapelle.
"The Schneiderkapelle is unique—in its history, its function, and its remarkably preserved structure. It is an exception among Hall’s monuments."
(Parish of St. Nikolaus, Hall in Tirol)
After years of securing permits, archaeological excavations, and fundraising efforts, this extraordinary project has finally come to fruition. Special thanks go to Univ.-Prof. Dr. Herwig van Staa (Tirol Memorial Foundation) and Dean Dr. Jakob Patsch, whose vision and dedication transformed the chapel into a distinctive cultural venue.

Where Past and Future Meet

"Touching the untouched can inspire both the old and the new—a museum of seven centuries, yet also a dynamic backdrop for future cultural events. The character of this building will lend a singular atmosphere to every occasion."
(Walter Hauser, State Conservator)
Starting in 2025, the Schneiderkapelle will serve as a one-of-a-kind cultural space, bridging the Kulturspeicher and Kulturraum Hall with a diverse program that will resonate far beyond the city’s borders.

The History of the Schneiderkapelle

Dendrochronological analysis of the surviving ceiling beams dates this remarkable structure to around 1320, offering a rare glimpse into Hall’s early urban development near the church and cemetery.
At the beginning of the 15th century, the upper floor of this original building was transformed into the Schneiderkapelle (Tailor’s Chapel). The chapel—likely named after its patron, Heinrich Reichschneider, a prominent citizen of Hall in Tirol—was dedicated to Our Lady (Liebfrauenkapelle) around 1410 or shortly before.
To give the space its sacred character, the walls were adorned with rounded half-columns at the corners and midpoints, supporting a simple ribbed vault. The chapel’s spiritual atmosphere was further enhanced by frescoes and a slightly raised floor, completed around 1430. These paintings were expanded over the centuries, remaining visible until the chapel’s closure in the 1830s.
(Sources: Parish Archives of Hall in Tirol, Municipal Archives of Hall in Tirol.)

The Tyrolean Memorial Foundation

• The Tyrolean Memorial Foundation (Tiroler Gedächtnisstiftung – Stiftung zur Erinnerung an die Opfer für ein freies Tirol) was established in 1948 by the Province of Tyrol. Its mission is to preserve the memory of individuals who resisted the Nazi regime or were persecuted, imprisoned, or murdered for political reasons during the National Socialist dictatorship.
• The foundation plays an active role in promoting historical awareness in Tyrol. It supports research, educational projects, and commemorative initiatives aimed at ensuring that the legacy of resistance and the suffering of the victims are not forgotten. Through scholarships, public events, and cooperation with historians and civic institutions, the foundation contributes to the ongoing confrontation with Austria’s Nazi past.
• The board of the foundation includes representatives from public life, academia, and the Province of Tyrol. The current chairman is Univ.-Prof. Dr. Herwig van Staa, former Governor of Tyrol.
• Sources:
  • Government of Tyrol: Commemorative Culture in Tyrol, https://www.tirol.gv.at/english
  • European Committee of the Regions: Biographical notes on Dr. Herwig van Staa, https://cor.europa.eu/
  • Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance (DÖW): https://www.doew.at/

Father Franz Reinisch (1903–1942)

Franz Reinisch was born on 1 February 1903 in Feldkirch, Austria, and grew up in Tyrol and South Tyrol. After studying theology, he joined the Pallottine community in 1928 and was ordained a Catholic priest in 1929. He became known as a charismatic preacher and spiritual advisor, particularly within the Schönstatt Movement, a Catholic renewal initiative.
In 1942, Father Reinisch refused to take the oath of loyalty to Adolf Hitler, declaring that such an oath was incompatible with his Christian conscience. He was arrested, tried by the Reich Court Martial for "undermining military morale," and executed by guillotine on 21 August 1942 in the Brandenburg-Görden prison.
Franz Reinisch is recognized as the only Catholic priest known to have refused the Hitler oath on religious grounds and accepted death as a consequence. He is venerated within the Schönstatt Movement as a witness of faith, and his beatification process has been officially initiated.

Sources:

• Pallottines International: www.pallottines.org
• Schönstatt Movement International: www.schoenstatt.com
• Franz Reinisch Memorial and Beatification Cause: www.pater-franz-reinisch.org
• Catholic News Agency – "Franz Reinisch: The priest who refused to swear allegiance to Hitler" (article, 2020)

Franz Reinisch Square – A Memorial Site

Since January 1, 2023, the square south of the parish church (formerly "Parish Square") has borne the name "Franz Reinisch Square." This honors the Austrian priest and member of the Pallottine Order, who attended the Franciscan Gymnasium in Hall in Tirol. In 1942, he refused to swear allegiance to Hitler on grounds of conscience – an act of resistance for which he was executed in Brandenburg an der Havel.

A Monument Against Forgetting

The square has been transformed into a dignified memorial site commemorating 237 persecuted, imprisoned, and murdered individuals from the region. Their names are engraved on a glass panelmounted on the facade of the former Schneiderkapelle. At the same time, the square serves as a place of quiet reflection and rest, inviting visitors to pause and remember.

Art and Symbols of Resistance

At the heart of the square stands the oversized bronze head (87/105/103 cm) by South Tyrolean artist Luis Anvidalfarei – a powerful symbol of remembrance. Small green oases with tall grasses and seating areas create a serene and respectful atmosphere.

The Chapel as a Cultural Site of Memory

The revitalized Schneiderkapelle – now named 
"RESISTANCE" 
(W I D E R S T A N D) – 
will host annual commemorative events that explore personal stories and aspects of resistance. The entrance portal, emblazoned with the striking word "RESISTANCE," underscores the significance of this place.