More about: Vienna Church and Cathedral Tickets and Tours
Vienna is the city of classical music and European culture, but also of imperial palaces and religious buildings. Many of these temples are closely linked to the development of the Austrian capital and have functions that go far beyond sacred representation.
Visit St. Peter's Catholic Church, visit St. Stephen's Cathedral, marvel at the Imperial Crypt of St. Mary of the Angels and lose yourself in the interior of the Votive Church of the Divine Saviour are among the best things to do in Vienna.
1. St. Peter's Catholic Church in Vienna
Vienna's St. Peter's Church, known as Peterskirche, is one of the city's most striking baroque churches. Located in the heart of Vienna, near the famous Graben Street, this church stands out for its ubiquitous green dome and elegant façade. Inside, you will also find ornate decorations, colourful frescoes and sculptures that reflect the splendour of the baroque style.
As for its history, although it is unclear, the present church was built on the site of an older church, which some believe to be the first Christian church in Austria, built in medieval times. Its baroque construction was initiated by Emperor Leopold I in the 17th century and was intended to symbolise the power and faith of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Since then, Peterskirche has become one of the meeting points for the best guided tours of Vienna.
Also, one of the highlights of St. Peter's Church is the possibility of attending classical music concerts inside the church. The acoustics are exceptional, making it the perfect place to enjoy baroque music recitals and masterpieces by composers such as Beethoven, Vivaldi and Mozart, who is one of the city's most famous historical figures.
Interesting details
- Price: admission is free.
- Location: Peterspl. 1, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 9.00 am to 7.30 pm.
2. St. Anne's Church in Vienna
Although smaller in comparison to other religious buildings in the city and the centre of Vienna, St. Anne's Church is a baroque landmark in the Austrian capital and a highlight for sacred art because its interior is completely covered in ornamentation. Its location on the picturesque Kartner Strasse makes it a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the city.
St. Anne's Church is impressive with its combination of exterior modesty and interior luxury. The ceiling, for example, is papered with frescoes depicting episodes from the life of the Virgin Mary and other biblical themes. Originally built as part of a Carmelite convent, the church has evolved into an independent place of worship and one of the city's best-kept secrets.
Like St. Peter's Church, St. Anne's Church offers one of the best venues for classical music concerts in Vienna. Here you can experience an experience that explores the clean acoustics of the church combined with a sacred art environment.
Interesting details
- Price: admission is free.
- Location: Annagasse 3B, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 7.30am to 7pm.
3. St. Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral, or Stephansdom, is one of Vienna's most iconic attractions and a must-see if you plan to visit the city. This monumental Gothic building is most notable for its 137-metre-high south tower, known as the Steffl, which is visible from miles away.
Inside you will find chapels crowned with artistic details, stained glass windows and numerous works of sacred art dating from the Middle Ages. One of the main attractions inside is the Baroque high altar, where you can see the statue of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Another striking feature of the cathedral is its roof. Covered with more than 230,000 coloured ceramic tiles, the roof forms a geometric pattern that includes the Austrian imperial coat of arms. This roof, in addition to its artistic value, is a symbol of the city and if you plan to visit Vienna in winter you will be able to see it snowed, quite a spectacle.
Stephansplatz, the square where the cathedral is located, is also one of the busiest spots in the city. Nearby you can also visit other tourist attractions, such as the Vienna State Opera, the Hofburg and the Albertina, which is one of Vienna's best museums.
Interesting details
- Price: from 10 euros.
- Location: Stephansplatz 3, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 7.00 am to 10.00 pm.
4. Church of St. Mary of the Angels and Imperial Crypt Vienna
The Church of St. Mary of the Angels, better known as the Capuchin Church, is a modest but significant Baroque church in the centre of Vienna, which houses the Imperial Crypt in its basement. Although the church itself is relatively simple, its main attraction lies in the crypt below, where the remains of most of the members of the Habsburg dynasty lie.
The Imperial Crypt was built in 1632 by order of Empress Anna of Austria and her husband, Emperor Matthias. Since then, it has been the final resting place for emperors, empresses, princes and princesses of the dynasty. The crypt has been enlarged over the centuries and now houses more than 140 sarcophagi, including those of historical figures such as Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife, Empress Elisabeth.
The church is located in the centre of the city, close to other important sites such as Karntner Strasse, one of the busiest shopping streets, and the Hofburg Palace, which you can access with the Vienna Pass. This makes it an essential stop on a tour of the old town.
Interesting details
- Price: from 8.50 euros.
- Location: Tegetthoff Strasse 2, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
5. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
St. Nicholas Cathedral is one of the main centres of the Russian Orthodox Church in Austria and one of the city's most notable religious buildings. Located in the Landstrasse district, this cathedral is easily recognisable by its distinctive design, which includes the golden onion-shaped domes typical of Slavic architecture.
Largely financed by Tsar Alexander III of Russia, the church was built in the late 19th century and was based on the designs of architect Grigory Kotov, who was inspired by the style typical of medieval Russian churches. The cathedral was dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors, but also of Russian tsars. Over the years, it has served not only as a place of worship, but also as a symbol of the historical relationship between the two countries.
Visiting St. Nicholas Cathedral is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Russian Orthodox culture and faith, which is in stark contrast to the predominantly Catholic style of Vienna. Moreover, its proximity to other important sites in the city, such as the Belvedere, one of Vienna's finest palaces, allows you to easily include this church in an itinerary.
Interesting details
- Price: from 8 euros.
- Location: Jaures Gasse 2, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 8.00 am to 2.00 pm.
6. Votive Church of the Divine Saviour
The Votive Church of the Divine Saviour is neither the largest, nor the most important, nor the best known church in Vienna. It is not even the most visited. So why is it on the list? Because for Austrians it is almost unanimously considered the most beautiful in the capital and, for the general public, one of the most remarkable temples of the 19th century.
Also known as Votivkirche, it is notable for its neo-Gothic style and its twin towers rising to a height of almost 100 metres. The high vaulted ceilings and colourful stained glass windows inside contribute to its fame and create an atmosphere that is hard to find in other religious buildings in the city.
The church also has a rich heritage of sacred art, which is why many informally consider it a museum. It is also one of the most picturesque places to attend New Year's Eve mass, so if you are planning to visit Vienna on Christmas Eve, you should not miss the opportunity to visit this church on the eve of the New Year.
Also, due to its strategic location, you can easily include this temple in your itinerary around the Austrian capital. Near the Votive Church of the Divine Saviour you can visit the Hofburg Palace and a few streets away you will find Peterskirche, where you will have the opportunity to buy tickets to attend a classical music concert.
Interesting details
- Price: admission is free.
- Location: Rooseveltplatz, Vienna.
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 am to 7.00 pm.
7. Jesuit Catholic Church
Unmistakably Baroque in style, the Jesuit Catholic Church is a church located in the area of the University of Vienna. At first glance, its façade is unassuming, but the interior ornamentation and painted ceilings simulating domes, as well as the gilded altars and statues evoking the grandeur of sacred art, recall the most distinctive works of the Counter-Reformation years.
Inside you will also find frescoes that were painted on the ceiling by the renowned artist Andrea Pozzo, considered a master of architectural illusionism. The pink marble columns and gilded altarpieces create a majestic setting, typical of Jesuit temples whose richness is usually found in the interior areas.
The Jesuit Catholic Church is also close to the city centre, so you can combine this visit with other places, such as St. Stephen's Cathedral or the Johann Strauss Monument. You can reach this temple by public transport or by the local tourist bus, which you can access free of charge if you plan to buy the Vienna Pass
Interesting details
- Price: admission is free.
- Location: Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz 1, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 8.00 am to 9.00 pm.
8. St. Charles Borromeo Church
If you want to see one of Vienna's most famous postcards, a visit to the Church of St. Charles Borromeo is a must. Located on Karlsplatz, this baroque church is easily recognisable by its green dome and the two large Roman columns that flank its entrance. The interior of this site will attract your attention because of its unusual luminosity and the lift that will take you to the top of the dome, which serves as a viewpoint.
However, the monumental architecture inspired by Trajan's Column in Rome is not the only attribute of this church; it also stands out for its historical significance. St. Charles Borromeo was a 16th century archbishop of Milan, known for his work during the plague epidemics, and the church was conceived as a monument of gratitude, which transformed it into a pilgrimage site for the saint's faithful.
On the other hand, the Karlskirche, its name in the local language, is located in an area rich in tourist attractions. Nearby you will find the Musikverein, famous for being the venue of the city's New Year's Concert, so if you plan to visit Vienna in December you can get tickets for this event.
Interesting details
- Price: from 9.50 euros.
- Location: Karlsplatz 10, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.
9. St. Rupert's Church
St. Rupert' s Church is the oldest church in the city and a real historical treasure. Founded in the 8th century, this small church is dedicated to St. Rupert, the patron saint of salt sellers, a vital trade in medieval Viennese society. Located in the Bermudadreieck district of the old town, the church stands on a hill overlooking the rooftops of the historic centre.
The interior structure of St. Rupert's, which has been modified and enlarged over the centuries, preserves architectural elements from different periods, from Romanesque to Gothic. Here you can see one of Vienna's oldest stained-glass windows, dating back to the 13th century, and a number of historical pieces, including an ancient pulpit and a baroque organ.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the church is that it has witnessed almost 1300 years of Vienna's history, surviving fires, wars and various restorations. During the Middle Ages, it was an important religious and economic centre, and today, it is a testament to Austria's rise to prominence since its founding as a nation-state.
Interesting details
- Price: admission is free.
- Location: Ruprechtspl. 1, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 7.00 am to 6.00 pm.
10. Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity
If you want to understand the religious tolerance and cultural diversity that have distinguished Vienna over the centuries, a visit to the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity is a must. With a distinctly neo-Byzantine exterior style adorned with gilded arches and ornamental details, the façade is a prelude to its greatest treasures, which are to be found in the frescoes and colourful mosaics inside.
The iconostasis, the screen of icons typical of Orthodox temples that separates the altar from the rest of the church, is one of the most remarkable pieces. Decorated with references to the Virgin Mary, Christ and various saints, it is an example of Orthodox religious art. In addition, the frescoes covering the walls and ceiling are full of colour and symbolism, creating a solemn yet luminous atmosphere.
Construction of the present church began in 1856 and was completed in 1858, with the help of the architect Theophil Hansen, known for his work on the Austrian Parliament. Since then, it has served as the main place of worship for the Greek Orthodox in the city and remains an important meeting place for Vienna's Greek community.
Details of interest
- Price: admission is free.
- Location: Fleischmarkt 13, Vienna.
- Opening hours: daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.