churches, Vienna

Churches on and on. Vienna has so many of them and actually all are interesting enough to mention here on VT. The Sankt Michael's church speciality is the fact that even in the smaller churches, fundings could lead to unfinished work. Many cathedrals and domchurches have it, a unfinished tower, when the original blueprints were ment to have two. Even though the Sankt Michael is q quite modest church, for several hundred years (from the 13th to the 18th century) it was one of three main parish churches of the Vienna people.

In the old inner city district of Vienna, one can also find the oldest church and one of the oldest buildings of Vienna. Already in the 8th century a chapel was erected here and later (11th and 14th century) it was rebuilt to a larger church. In that time, the first Sankt Stephans church attracted more attention, leaving the Ruprechts church in it's original shape due to lack of funding to grow. The building as one can see it now, is very modest towards the many other churches in Vienna, but therefore holds it's own special charm. Many parts are still original from the 14th century.

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Already in the 12th century, a church was built by Irish monchs in Vienna. Besides Patrick, Peter was one of their favorit saints and their church was devoted to him. Through the many centuries that followed, the chruch was rebuilt, renovated, restored and changed so many times, that from the original image nothing is left (except for the fundaments). The church is - like always in Roman Catholic churches - richly decorated and is especially famous for it's ceiling in the dome. So, go in and gaze up for a while.

Inside many beautiful statues can be admired, something one cannot know from the modesty of this Hofburg-chapel's outside. This also was the house chapel of the Hofburg and therefore the family chapel of the Habsburg emperors.

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With the back against the ring, the old Dominican chrch does not immediately jump into your sight. As the exterior also is rather modest and grey, one could easily walk by without noticing it. The facade is somewhat richer in decorations and style and is inviting you in. Not doing so would be a big mistake, as the most important beauty (as always) lies on the inside of the church. In a rather dark interior, rich glow of gold and silver, as well as colurful paintings, are very pretty. Besides that, such a quiet place is also always an energyboost to the next intensive hours of a city walk.

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I'm gonna cheat a little bit here and copy/paste some info from Wiki. about Aspern as I do not know anything about it. I found this church/monument/museum accidentally because I got lost. I'm glad I got lost and found a bit of Austrian history!

"The Lion of Aspern (Löwe von Aspern) is a monument made of sandstone commemorating the Battle of Aspern-Essling. Created by Anton Dominik Fernkorn and erected in 1858, it shows a dying lion under whose left shoulder blade the tip of the sword which has pierced him can be seen. The lion symbolizes the many dead among Austrian soldiers and civilians despite the fact that Austria had won the battle.

The inscription reads: Dem Andenken der am 21. und 22. Mai 1809 ruhmvoll gefallenen österreichischen Krieger (To the memory of the Austrian warriors who honourably died in battle on May 21 and 22, 1809)."

Direction: U1, get off at Kagran. Take Strassenbahn 26 towards Aspern and get off at Aspern/Oberdorfstrasse. Corner of Aspernstrasse and Groß-Enzersdorferstraße.

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Votivkirche (Devotional Church) is 1 of the greatest churches I've ever seen-so many details, figures, beautiful stained glass windows, etc. It's really impressive, and you should definitely visit it.

The church was built in 1853-79 as a gesture of Emperor Francis Joseph I's gratitude that he survived an assassination attempt. It was designed by Heinrich von Ferstel and is 99m high.

You can get here by tram, underground or bus. It's not far from the Rathaus (1st District- Rooseveltplatz, across Freud's Park).

The Church of the Holy Trinity, by the 20th century Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba is quite off the beaten path, being out at the back end of the 13th district, and best reachable by the S1 and S2 Schnellbahn's to Atzgersdorf-Mauer, near the village of Mauer. Unlike most of the grandiose churches that Vienna seems to go in for, this is a simple affair made up of rectangular concrete slabs and glass panels. It has won plaudits from the Viennese for having been able to have the feel of a sanctuary inside whilst having a apocolyptic bunker style exterior. It is only open at weekends - 2-8pm on Saturdays and 9am-5pm on Sundays. To arrange a guided tour you need to make an appointment.

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This Church called Ruprechtskirche you can find on the Ruprechtsplatz.

It is the oldest Chirch in Vienna.
The legend says it was built in year 740 by the students of Saint Ruprecht.
The present construction comes partly from XII century.

It is one of the nicest Churches I have seen in Vienna.

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The "Church of Saint Peter" is, probably, Vienna's most beautiful baroque church.
The church is at the place, at which in the 4.Jh. Vienna's first church stood.
The construction works of the more present-day Peter church began in the year 1703 and completed in 1733.
This church was begun on initiative of Emperor Leopold I., after plans of Gabriele Montani and was completed by Johann Lukas Hildebrandt.
From Graben, the church looks very impressively.
The church has a big dome, and two corner piles that make the monument very imposing.

Address: 1, Petersplatz 1, Vienna

Metro: U1
Station: Stephansplatz
Bus: 1A, 2A, 3A
Station: Petersplatz