The Karlskirche – a magnificent thank you from an emperor

What was the reason for the construction of the Karlskirche and after which Karl is it named? Who was the architect and which other buildings can be traced back to him? What is special about the architecture of St. Charles Church, both inside and out? Baroque – Baroque – Karlskirche. A true masterpiece of Baroque architecture, built by the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach . He was also responsible for the construction of Schönbrunn Palace and the Court Library, now the National Library . The occasion was the last plague epidemic of 1713, after which the vow of Charles VI (father of Maria Theresa) was implemented and the church was put out to tender for construction.

Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach was awarded the contract ahead of his great rival Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. The church is intended as a link between Rome and Byzantium and is reminiscent of the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul and Trajan’s Columns in Rome. The large dome is characteristic of the church and imitates Roman architecture. The construction costs amounted to a considerable 304,045 guilders and the crown lands, such as Spain, the Duchy of Milan and the Netherlands, also contributed.

The foundation stone was laid in 1716 on the right bank of the Vienna River, which was barely regulated at the time. Hard imperial stone was used for the main portal and also for the stairs. The two prominent columns imitate the columns of Trajan in Rome. The reliefs depict the life of the plague saint Charles Borromeo . These columns are also often interpreted as the Pillars of Hercules in reference to the patron Charles VI, who lost his rule in Spain during the War of the Spanish Succession .

Charles Borromeo, patron saint of the emperor

Karlskirche, named after the emperor’s patron saint, Charles Borromeo, a miraculous plague saint from Milan, while Karlsplatz is named after Emperor Charles VI. One of the few churches in Vienna, not to say the only one, that charges admission. The entrance fee is worth it, as it entitles you to take the interior elevator to the very top to see the baroque dome frescoes by Johannes Michael Rottmayr up close.

A panoramic lift takes you up to a height of 32 meters in no time at all. The dome is actually shaped like an ellipse. From the side, at the entrance, it looks larger than from the front. The Karlskirche church on the square of the same name is a listed building. Nearby you will find the Vienna University of Technology (TU), the Naschmarkt, the Secession, the Albertina modern and the Musikverein as well as the Wien Museum (currently closed for renovation).

Not forgetting the two pavilions created by Otto Wagner, THE Viennese city architect around 1900. One pavilion houses a café, the other an exhibition on the life and work of Otto Wagner. On Karlsplatz is Resselpark with numerous statues, e.g. of Josef Ressel, who gave his name to the park and invented the ship’s propeller. A statue was also dedicated to Josef Madersperger in thanks for the invention of the sewing machine.

Time Travel Tip: For those with a head for heights: be sure to take the panoramic lift up the 32m to the top to admire the dome frescoes and the view from up close. It is particularly beautiful at Christmas time when the Christmas market of artisans takes place on Karlsplatz. The church concerts in the Karlskirche are highly recommended!

More info: Karlskirche Vienna | Vienna

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