History
When the plague raged in Vienna in 1713, Emperor Charles VI (1685-1740) vowed to his patron saint, the plague saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), to have a church built if the plague were to end: the Karlskirche.
Vienna's Karlskirche - a building of the ages
The Karlskirche is a “world history of architecture”. It combines stylistic elements from the most diverse eras and cultures: a Greco-Roman temple as a portico, the passageways of the bell towers in the form of Roman triumphal gates, Asian-style pagoda roofs on top, a baroque dome 74 meters high, the large columns and the multitude of domes and towers as an allusion to Byzantine and Ottoman architecture, all layered to form a broad pyramid.
The dome cross reaches a height of 74 meters, making it the highest dome in Austria. Die Reliefs der beiden Riesensäulen (47m) stellen Leben und Wirken des Hl. Karl Borromäus dar. At over 400m², it is the largest contiguous sculptural work of modern times.
A look
inside
Inside, one of the most magnificent religious spaces in the world opens up: colossal marble pilasters support the beams and lead to a colorful fresco showing St. Charles with the Mother of God and the Trinity. The movement of light, the “up to heaven”, can be felt throughout the church, and is heightened to the highest in the high altar.
A Look
Upwards
The dome fresco by Johann Michael Rottmayr shows St. Charles Borromeo pleading with God to end the plague. The saint is identifiable by his cardinal’s hat and cross. An angel is seen sheathing the sword of punishment – a symbol of the plague’s end. The scene is framed by allegories of the three devine virtues: Faith, Hope, and Charity.
Here you can find more pictures
To the picture gallery
The Timeline
1715
When the plague raged in Vienna in 1713, Emperor Charles VI (1685-1740) vowed to his patron saint, the plague saint Charles Borromeo (1538-1584), to have a church built if the plague were to end: the Karlskirche.
1716
The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1716.
A hill, a vineyard on the banks of the Vienna River, halfway between the Hofburg and the imperial summer residence, at that time still the Favorita (today’s Theresianum in Favoritenstraße), was chosen as the building site. The church is located on the extended axis of Herrengasse-Augustinergasse and thus originally included the view of the Hofburg and Court Library.
1723
After the death of Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, his son Josef Emmanuel (1693-1742) took over the construction work, not without modifying some of his father’s plans. Above all, the design of the domed ambulatory and the decoration of the interior are his work.
1737
After more than 20 years of construction, the Karlskirche was finally consecrated on October 28, 1737.
2000
Start of the most extensive renovation since the church was built: the dome frescoes, interior and exterior façade are restored to their former glory.
