7 most impressive Churches in Vienna

Vienna has numerous magnificent and beautiful churches which should not be missed on a tour of the city. The churches in Vienna tell stories about the city’s past and present. Here's a selection of the most remarkable and culturally significant churches.

1. St. Rupert’s Church

St. Rupert’s Church is the oldest church in Vienna. According to legend, it was founded in 740 and reconstructed and altered many times throughout its history. It’s dedicated to Rupert, the patron saint of salt merchants. The church was constructed on top of an ancient Roman settlement and now lies in the heart of Vienna’s historic city center. Religious services and concerts are held inside the beautiful St. Rupert’s Church to this day.

2. Minoriten Church

Built in a French Gothic style, the Minoriten Church is one of the oldest and artistically most valuable churches in Vienna. King Ottokar laid the foundation stone for the church in 1276. It has been owned by the Italian congregation since 1786. During the siege of Vienna by the Turks, the church was used as an observation post and was severely damaged. It has been frequently renovated throughout history. Today its prominent saddle roof shapes the skyline of Vienna’s inner city.

3. Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles)

The last great work of celebrated Baroque architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. The imposing cupola depicts the glory of St. Borromeo and envelops a colorful array of magnificent art covering an area of 1,250 m². An elevator takes visitors to a height of 32.5 meters so they can admire the frescoes up close. From there they can also enjoy a breathtaking view of the church’s interior.

4. Votive Church

The neo-Gothic church is located on Vienna's Ringstrasse and was consecrated in 1879, on the Silver Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. A failed assassination attempt on the Emperor was the inspiration for its construction. To finance the church, the Emperor’s brother, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, appealed for donations “in gratitude for the sparing of His Majesty”. The Votive Church, also called “Ringstrasse cathedral”, is one of the most significant buildings of the European Historicism period. It contains a museum displaying the “Antwerp Altar”. This church is of particular interest for visitors of Vienna, since the service is held in different languages each Sunday at 11:15 am.

5. Church of the Most Holy Trinity

The Church of the Most Holy Trinity was built according to the design by the Austrian sculptor Fritz Wotruba at the edge of the Vienna Woods on St. Georgenberg from 1974 to 1976. This is why it’s often referred to as the Wotruba Church. The church’s exterior walls consist of 152 modular concrete blocks with an irregular arrangement, creating a unique façade.

6. Church of St. Leopold

The Church of St. Leopold, also known as Steinhof Church or “Otto Wagner Church”, was based on Otto Wagner’s design and became the first modernist building in Europe. This architectural masterpiece is one of the most important works of Art Nouveau and most significant landmarks of Vienna. Emperor Franz Joseph commissioned the construction of this church for the mentally ill patients at the psychiatric hospital of Steinhof.

7. St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church

The St. Francis of Assisi Parish Church is one of Vienna’s most significant sacred structures. It was built to mark the 50th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph and opened in 1913 in the Emperor’s presence. It is also known as the “Kaiser Jubilee Church”.