DK Travel : Vienna : Karlskirche

Karlskirche

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This striking church was built between 1715 and 1737 to honour Karl Borromeo, the patron saint of the fight against the plague. Its aim was to thank God for delivering Vienna from the plague epidemic in 1713 that claimed more than 8,000 lives. Emperor Karl VI held a competition among architects to design the church, which was won by Johann Fischer von Erlach. The Baroque masterpiece has a dome and portico borrowed from classical architecture, while there are Oriental echoes in the minaret-like columns.

Top 10 Features

1. Entrance

The church façade is winged by two gate-houses that are reminiscent of Chinese pavilions and lead into the side entrances. At the centre of the façade is the stairway, above which is a pediment supported by six pillars.
2. Columns

Inspired by the ancient Roman column of Trajan, these columns are decorated with scenes of the life of St Karl Borromeo. The left column shows the quality of steadfastness and the right shows courage.
3. Karl Borromeo Statue

Lorenzo Mattielli designed a statue of the patron saint of the fight against the plague. It has pride of place on the church’s pediment.
4. Pediment Reliefs

4. Pediment Reliefs

The pediment resembles the covering of a Greek temple and its reliefs, designed by Giovanni Stanetti, show the suffering of the Viennese during the 1713 plague.
5. Angels

Two angels guard the stairway as a sign of Catholic belief. The angel on the left represents the Old Testament, the other the New Testament.
6. Cupola with Frescoes

Johann Michael Rottmayr’s fresco on the dome depicts the Virgin Mary begging the Holy Trinity to deliver the population from the plague.
7. High Altar

The typical Baroque-style high altar was probably designed by Fischer von Erlach himself. It features a stucco relief by Albert Camesina showing St Karl Borromeo being taken into heaven on a cloud laden with angels and cherubs.
8. Pulpit

The church’s richly gilded pulpit is surmounted by two cherubs on the canopy and is decorated with rocailles (scrolls) and garlands of flowers.
9. Altar Paintings

The side altars are decorated with several paintings but the most remarkable are those by master artist Daniel Gran. His famous paintings The Healing of a Gout Victim , Jesus and the Roman Captain and Saint Elisabeth of Hungary can be found in the church.
10. Pond with Henry Moore Sculpture

The setting of the Karlskirche is as impressive as its interior. In front of the church is a stone-paved pond with a modern sculpture by Henry Moore in the centre, deliberately designed to contrast with the Baroque style of the church.

Practical Information

Take the elevator to the top of the dome to get a close look at the frescoes and enjoy amazing views over the rooftops of Vienna. Karlsplatz 01 504 61 87 Open 9am–6pm daily Dis. access Adm €4.00 (elevator €2.00)