Monument preservation
Time has clearly left its mark, which is why the restoration of the church can justifiably be described as a long-term project. Our aim is to restore all areas to their original condition – cosmetic interventions are not enough.
Long-term project restoration of Karlskirche
The Association of Friends and Patrons of Vienna’s Karlskirche, founded by architect Clemens Holzmeister in 1966, began a comprehensive renovation in 2000. The income from visitor contributions flows directly into projects and is a significant contribution to the preservation of this unique cultural asset. In recent years, numerous projects have been implemented, both in the interior (frescoes, stucco marble and gilding, confessionals, pews, pulpit, altarpieces, winter and summer sacristy, imperial staircases) and on the exterior façade (tambour, bell towers including tower figures, vases, volutes, angel figures and sculptures, entire exterior façade).
After the renovation of the altane, the organ loft and the terrace between the bell towers were finally made accessible to the public. From there you can enjoy an impressive panorama of Karlsplatz and the city. The treasury and the exhibition on the planning history, with a three-meter-high model (scale 1:28), convey a sense of the importance of this building.
For centuries, Vienna’s Karlskirche was inaccessible to people with walking disabilities without assistance. The association has therefore created barrier-free access via an inconspicuous ramp to the right of the side entrance. The side entrance area was also redesigned.
Certified emergency lighting and escape route lighting have also been implemented, as well as ongoing modernization of the fire alarm system. We are currently renewing the entire main power line, as this still corresponds to the technical standard of the 1960s.
The largest restoration project to date started in March 2024 with the renovation of the western triumphal column. This was successfully completed in June 2025. The western imperial oratory is also currently undergoing extensive restoration.
