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Karlskirche (St. Charles Church)

Karlskirche (St. Charles Church)

Recommended by 691 hikers out of 708

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Location: Vienna Woods, Lower Austria, Austria

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Best Hikes to Karlskirche (St. Charles Church)

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Paul

March 22, 2023

Karlskirche, Vienna

Karlskirche (4th, Karlsplatz; parish church "Heiliger Karl Borromäus" [1783 imperial patronage parish, until 1959 cared for by the Crusaders with the red star, since then by Premonstratensians from Geras Abbey, Lower Austria]: St. Karl (parish); compare ground plan sketch). Fulfilling a vow taken by Charles VI during the plague epidemic on October 22, 1713 near St. Stephen's, on February 4, 1716, on a desolate hill, only partially planted with vines, on the right bank of the barely regulated Wien River (on which the imperial Kalkstadel was located) for the laying of the foundation stone. In addition to J. B. Fischer von Erlach (who received the order on December 4, 1715), designs and models also provided J. L. von Hildebrandt and Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena. The construction was started by him (1716-1723) and after completed after his death by his son J. E. Fischer von Erlach (construction manager Erhard Martinelli) (1723-1739; completion of the shell 1729); Deviations from the original project are the steeper version of the cupola, the omission of the priest's choir and changes in the interior). The overall supervision was transferred to the Hofkammerrat Bartholomäus von Tinti. On July 10, 1717, General Building Director Gundacker Ludwig Joseph Graf Althan took over the building inspection. On November 17, 1733, the church was handed over to the Order of the Knights of the Cross (from Prague), who had been summoned to Vienna by the Emperor. The first mass was held in a solemn form in the presence of the emperor on August 24, 1738, the consecration took place on October 28, 1737 by Cardinal Sigismund Graf Kollonitsch. In 1740 the funeral mass for Charles VI was held here. read. The Karlskirche is the most important baroque sacred building in Vienna, Fischer's last church building and at the same time his main sacred work. All crown lands contributed to the construction costs of 304,000 guilders, and fines were used that the city of Hamburg had to pay because the mob there had demolished the chapel of the Austrian legation.

Text / Source: Vienna History Wiki

geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Karlskirche#tab=null

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s〰️en

August 27, 2024

A detour to the Karlskirche in Vienna is worthwhile for several reasons:

1. **Architectural masterpiece**: The Karlskirche is an outstanding example of the Baroque architectural style. It was designed by the famous architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and completed by his son Joseph Emanuel. The mighty columns on the front, reminiscent of Trajan's Column in Rome, and the magnificent dome are particularly impressive.

2. **Historical significance**: The church was donated in 1716 by Emperor Charles VI as a thank you for the end of the plague epidemic in Vienna. It is dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, the patron saint against the plague.

3. **Artistic interior design**: The interior of the Karlskirche is richly decorated with frescoes and sculptures. The ceiling frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr and the sculptures by Lorenzo Mattielli are among the highlights.

4. **Breathtaking view**: For a few years now, there has been a panoramic elevator that allows visitors to go up to the dome. From there, you have a spectacular view of Vienna and can admire the frescoes up close.

5. **Cultural events**: The Karlskirche is not only a place of prayer, but also a cultural venue. Concerts, especially performances of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons", are held regularly, which make use of the church's special acoustics.

6. **Central location**: The church is located on Karlsplatz, a central and easily accessible location in Vienna. From here, many other attractions such as the Vienna State Opera and the Secession are also within easy reach.

A visit to the Karlskirche offers an impressive mix of history, art, architecture and culture that every visitor to Vienna will remember.

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JR56

October 20, 2019

A striking sacred building with a mighty dome: the Karlskirche, the last great work of the baroque star architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach.

Completed in 1739 by his son Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach, the building was built on the basis of a vow by Emperor Charles VI. during a plague epidemic. The church is dedicated to the patron saint of the Habsburg emperor, St. Charles Borromeo: the small Museo Borromeo exhibits, among other things, travel clothes of the Milanese bishop.

The high altar designed by Fischer von Erlach shines again after its renovation in full glory. The lush dome frescoes by Johannes Michael Rottmayr cover 1250 m² of color and show the glory of St. Charles Borromeo. A panoramic lift takes visitors to a platform 32.5 meters high, where you can see the frescoes up close. The view into the church from above is breathtaking.

Tips for music lovers: Church concerts in the Karlskirche are regularly performed (Mozart's Requiem, Vivaldi's Four Seasons). In the Advent season, atmospheric gospel singing fills the sacred building.

wien.info/de/sightseeing/sehenswuerdigkeiten/g-k/karlskirche

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Elevation 180 m

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Location: Vienna Woods, Lower Austria, Austria

Karlskirche (St. Charles Church)

1. Vienna State Opera – Austrian Parliament Building loop from Taubstummengasse

2. Theseus Temple, Volksgarten – Upper Belvedere Palace loop from Stubentor

3. Gloriette at Schönbrunn Palace – Schönbrunn Palace loop from Schottenring

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