Page 54 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Vienna

52  INTRODUCING VIENNA VIENNA A T A GLANCE  53

Vienna’s Best: Churches

Vienna’s most potent symbol is its cathedral – the Stephansdom –
a masterpiece of Gothic architecture which stands out in a city
that is overwhelmingly Baroque. After the defeat of the Turks in
1683 (see pp28–9), many churches were built or remodelled in
the Baroque style, although it is often possible to detect the
vestiges of older buildings beneath later additions. Many church
interiors are lavishly furnished and several have fine frescoes.
Churches are generally open during the day except when Mass
is being held. Concerts or organ recitals are given in the Peterskirche
evenings in some churches. A more detailed overview of The tall dome of this late Ruprechtskirche
Baroque church dominates
Vienna’s oldest church has a Romanesque nave and
Vienna’s churches is on pages 54–5. the view as you approach Maria am Gestade bell tower, a Gothic aisle and choir, and stained-glass
from the Graben. Dating from the 14th century, this windows dating back to the turn of the 14th century.
church was restored in the 19th
Schottenring century. This 15th-century Gothic
and Alsergrund Maria am Gestade panel shows The Annunciation.
Stephansdom
The richly carved Wiener Neustädter
D A N U B E C A N A L
D A N U B E C A N A L
Altar from 1447 was a gift from
Friedrich III (see p21).
Stephansdom
Stephansdom
Quarter
Quarter
Hofburg
Quarter
Museum and
Townhall Quarter
Michaelerkirche
This church has one of the most impressive medieval
interiors in Vienna. The Neo-Classical façade and this Jesuitenkirche
cascade of Baroque stucco angels over the high altar A series of twisted columns
were later additions. rises up to support the vault
of the Jesuitenkirche (1623–
31), which also features a
trompe l’oeil dome.
Opera and
Naschmarkt

Belvedere
Quarter

0 metres 500
0 yards 500

Maria-Treu-Kirche
A statue of Mary Immaculate graces
the square in front of this Baroque
church (1716). Its façade dates
from 1860. Karlskirche
Augustinerkirche J B Fischer von Erlach’s
Antonio Canova’s (1753–1822) tomb eclectic Baroque Franziskanerkirche
for Archduchess Maria Christina is in masterpiece (1714 –39) The dramatic high altar (1707)
the Gothic Augustinerkirche, which boasts a dome, minarets by Andrea Pozzo features a
once served as the Habsburgs’ and two Chinese-inspired Bohemian statue of the Virgin
parish church. lateral pavilions. Mary as its centrepiece.

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