Magnificent artworks, ornate altars, a museum and a magnificent dome are all at home in this architecturally unique place of worship.
The imposing 72-metre copper dome of St Charles’s Church, or Karlskirche, cuts a striking figure on the Viennese skyline and this 18th-century edifice is no less impressive up close.
Completed over 30 years in the early 1700s, two different architects worked on the building, creating a fascinating mixture of styles. The Roman columns and Greek portico contrast beautifully with the Viennese Baroque dome and towers, making this unique church one of the most visually striking places of worship in the city – and that's no mean feat!
When plague was ravishing central Europe in 1713, the Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI vowed to construct a church to his patron saint and namesake, Charles Borromeo, if Vienna was spared. The city escaped the epidemic and construction began a few years later, led by Johann Bernhard Fischer Von Erlach, and was completed by his son in 1739.
The combination of different styles is arresting, even today. Tall Roman columns hold small Baroque domes while intricate reliefs depict scenes from the life of Charles Borromeo. Another piece worth keeping an eye out for is the wonderful sculpture by Henry Moore located in front of the church. Once you step inside, your eyes will immediately be drawn to the massive walls and columns made of marble and decorated with countless gilded and painted ornaments.
The interior of the dome has some fine frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr and you can get an up-close view of these beautiful artworks if you use the Panoramalift, which takes you up to the dome. The church also houses the Borromeo Museum, where you'll find artefacts belonging to the ancient saint and former Bishop of Milan.
If you're in Vienna during the weekend, make sure to ask locally to find out if the regular Saturday evening performance of the Mozart Requiem – played entirely on period instruments – is being held during your stay as this really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
St Charles’s Church is at the heart of the city near Karlsplatz, at the south-east corner of Resselpark. You can get here easily via public transport or on foot from the city centre. The church is open to tourists every day though sightseeing hours are reduced on Sundays.
