Saint Charles Borromeo Church, Art Nouveau church in Vienna Central Cemetery, Austria
Saint Charles Borromeo Church is an Art Nouveau sanctuary positioned within Vienna Central Cemetery, featuring a central dome decorated with 999 stars above its circular interior space. Below this upper section lies a lower crypt designed with burial niches arranged in a circular layout.
Construction took place between 1908 and 1911 under architect Max Hegele's direction, representing the architectural innovation of early twentieth-century Vienna. This project emerged during a period when the city was establishing itself as a leading center for modern design.
The church combines elements of multiple architectural traditions, incorporating references to Saint Peter's Basilica and Egyptian burial structures.
Access to the building involves climbing stairs or using a ramp from the cemetery level to reach the elevated platform where it stands. Inside, you can move between the upper church area and the lower crypt spaces at your own pace.
The structure sits approximately 3 meters (10 feet) above the surrounding cemetery ground, creating a physical separation between the sacred space and the burial areas below. This deliberate elevation is an architectural choice that emphasizes the building's distinct role within the cemetery landscape.
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