Vienna's churches and cathedrals are works of art. They reflect the history of the spiritual and moral development of humanity. At the same time, there are also engineering monuments built in connection with important events. Iconic buildings are distinguished by their monumentality and majestic forms, harmony and elegance. There is a place for people of all faiths. Vienna has several dozen churches and cathedrals. Most of them are naturally associated with Christianity. I will provide you with information about some of them.
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8. Church of St. Francis of Assisi
1. St. Stephen's Cathedral
Let's start with St. Stephen's Cathedral, which is located on Stephansplatz. It is also called “Stephansdom”, and in Viennese simply “Steffi”. This temple is the pride and one of the main attractions of Vienna.
More about St. Stephen's Cathedral =>>
2. Karlskirche - Church of St. Charles
The reason for the construction of the temple was the plague epidemic of 1713. Charles VI vowed that, having gotten rid of this disaster, he would build a grandiose cathedral in the name of the heavenly patron, St. Charles (canonized Cardinal Carlo Borromeo selflessly helped the sick during the plague in Milan). Construction took place in 1716-1737. The work begun by the architect Erlach was completed by his son Joseph Erlach. Here, elements of ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine and Islamic architecture are combined with Italian Baroque.
The height of the temple is 72 meters, the diameter of the central dome is 25 meters. The church also has an elevator. There is also an organ.
The inside of the church is as beautiful as the outside: the ceiling and walls are painted with unique frescoes. Next to each icon and fresco are the main features of the Baroque style - statues of cherubs and singing angels.
This is what the main altar looks like:
Chapel:
Temple address: Kreuzherrengasse, 1.
To get there, take the metro - stop Karlsplatz at the intersection of lines U1, U2, U4 .
Ticket cost: for adults – 8 euros, for children under 10 years old – free. For owners of Vienna Card - 5 euros.
Official website: http://www.karlskirche.at.
3. Votivkirche
Votivkirche, or Church of the Vow, is a majestic cathedral with two 99-meter towers in the Gothic style. Next to the church is the main building of the University of Vienna.
This church was built between 1856 and 1879 after the failed attack on Emperor Franz JosephI in 1853. In gratitude for saving the life of the emperor, the Votivkirche was built. More than 300 thousand people took part in collecting the required amount.
The church houses a museum with many valuable church items. Among them, it is worth noting the "Antwerp Altar", the production of which began in the 15th century in Brussels and was completed in Antwerp. The church also has an organ, and organ music concerts, church events, services and other ceremonies are held here on a schedule.
Entrance to the church is free, visiting the museum costs 4 euros.
Address - Rooseveltplatz, 8.
To get there, take the metro line U2, stop Shottentor.
Official website: https://www.votivkirche.at.
4. Church of St. Peter
St. Peter's Church, also known as Peterskirche, is one of the oldest and most beautiful in Vienna. It was built in 1733 by Johann Hildebrandt by order of Emperor LeopoldI, although in its place there was a church in the IV century, which was destroyed and then burned down in the Middle Ages.
The building consists of a vestibule and an organ housed there, a 56-meter-high dome, a main altar, a pulpit, bell towers, the remains of saints, and a crypt. This is what the interior looks like:
Painted ceiling:
Organ:
Chapel:
Pulpit:
Peterskirche is located in the historical center of the city, next to the Graben street, on St. Peter's Square.
To get there, take the metro - stop Karlsplatz, at the intersection of lines U1, U2, U4.
Official website: http://peterskirche.at.
5. Maria am Gestad
The Catholic Church Maria am Gstaad was opened in 1414 and is located in the northern part of the historical center of Vienna. This name literally means “Mary on the Shore” - the church was built on the banks of a tributary of the Danube (now the Danube Canal).
This Gothic cathedral has completely smooth walls on the outside and a magnificent bell tower, as well as a 56-meter high tower, built in 1419-1428. Its windows have medieval stained glass windows.
Since 1862, the church has housed the remains of St. Clemens Maria Hofbauer, considered the patron saint of Vienna.
The church has three entrances, decorated with reliefs and statues. Masses and concerts are held, accompanied by an organ. At night, the bell tower is illuminated from the inside and sometimes turns into a huge openwork lantern.
Church address: Salvatorgazze, 12.
To get there, take the metro - stop Karlsplatz, at the intersection of lines U1, U2, U4.
Official website: https://www.redemptoristen.com/maria-am-gestade/.
6. Greek Orthodox Church
The Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity is built of red brick in the Byzantine style. It has an octagonal tower and a domed roof.
The Greek community in Vienna arose in the XVII century. It consisted mainly of merchants. The Church of the Holy Trinity was built in 1787 (architect Peter Molner).
The walls and ceiling of the church are richly painted with frescoes.
In 1963, the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity was given the status of the Austrian Metropolitan Cathedral of the Patriarchate of Constantinople.
Church address: Fleischmarkt, 13.
To get there, take the metro - stop Swedenplatz, at the intersection of lines U1, U4.
7. Capuchin Church
The Capuchin Church is located near the Hofburg Palace. This is the last refuge of the representatives of the Habsburg dynasty. The church has an imperial altar.
The Church of the Order of Capuchin Friars was founded in 1617 by the emperor's wife Anna. It was consecrated in 1632, and a portal was built in 1760.
Since 1633, the modest Capuchin church, as required by the rules of the order, became the burial place of the Habsburgs. 147 representatives of the dynasty rest in the crypt - without hearts and internal organs (the hearts are kept in silver urns in the Church of St. Augustine, and the organs are kept in copper urns in St. Stephen's Cathedral).
The sarcophagi and tombstones in the crypt of the emperors are arranged in chronological order.
Address - Neuer Markt, 1.
To get there, take the metro - stop stephansplatz, at the intersection of lines U1, U3.
8. Church of St. Francis of Assisi
This church is also called the Jubilee Church (in connection with the 50th anniversary of the accession of Franz Joseph to the throne) and the Mexican Church (because it is located on Mexikoplatze).
Construction of the temple began in 1900 and ended in 1913 (architect - Victor Lunts). The contrast of gray stone and red tiles creates an impressive effect.
The inside of the temple is quite modest. The Elizabeth Chapel is very beautiful. The chapel is dedicated to the emperor's wife Sissi, who was killed by the anarchist Luken in Geneva. The Byzantine gold mosaic deserves special mention.
Address - Mexikoplatz, 12.
To get there, take the metro - stop Vorgartenstraße, line U1.
9. Jesuit Church
The Jesuit Church, also known as the University Church, was built in 1623-1627 during the merger of the philosophical and theological faculties of the University of Vienna. The church was consecrated in 1631.
The church looks very modest from the outside, but its interior is considered by many to be the most beautiful in Vienna. Inside you will find ornate altars, gilded statues, marble columns, a pseudo-dome and much more.
Address - Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz, 1.
To get there, take the metro - stop stephansplatz, at the intersection of lines U1, U3.
10. Synagogue
The Stadtempel Synagogue is the only one of 94 Jewish churches that survived the destruction of 1938 - all the others were destroyed.
This building, built in 1826, remains the center of Jewish life in Vienna. This is one of the few synagogues in Europe where prayer is accompanied by cantorial and choral singing.
The interior is designed in the classic shape of a traditional synagogue. Here, under a narrow dome supported by columns, there is a gilded altar, the main pulpit and the commandments.
Address - Seitenstettengasse, 4.
To get there, take the metro - stop Schwedenplatz, at the intersection of lines and U1, U4.
11. Other churches
I described ten churches. There are still many churches in Vienna. I will briefly introduce you to some of them.
Anakirke - Church of St. Anne:
Built in 1320 in the Gothic style, in 1629-1634 it was transformed into the Baroque style. The hand of St. Anne is kept here.
Address - Annagasse, 3B.
To get there, take the metro - stop Stephansplatz, crossing lines U1, U2, U4.
Church of St. Augustine:
It was built in the XII century. The frozen hearts of 54 representatives of the imperial Habsburg dynasty are kept here. Also worth mentioning is the altar and tombstone of Christina, the beloved daughter of Maria Theresa.
To get there, take the metro - stop Karlsplatz, at the intersection of lines U1, U4.
Minorite Church:
This church was built by Franciscan monks in 1340-1400. In the XIX century it was completely reconstructed. Although the minorities abandoned luxury, the church is still impressive.
One of the main treasures of this cathedral is a mosaic copy of Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper", which was completed by Giacomo Raffaelli commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte.
If you visit this church, you will not regret it.
To get there, take the metro line U3, stop Herrengasse.
Islamic Center in Vienna:
This is the largest mosque in Austria. It is located in the Floridsdorf district and was opened in 1979. The height of the minaret is 32 meters, the height of the dome is 16 meters, the diameter is 20 meters.
By the way, relations between Austria and Turkey have recently worsened. Several years ago, Austrian authorities closed seven mosques and expelled some imams on the grounds that they were associated with Turkish nationalists.
I think I have told you enough about the churches and monasteries of Vienna. I will also note that this is obviously not a complete list, but I have provided you with information about the most important ones.
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