Karlskirche, Baroque church in Resselpark, Vienna, Austria.
Description
Karlskirche is a Baroque church in the Wieden district of Vienna, Austria, standing in Resselpark and marked by its tall dome and two spiral columns. The dome rises 47 meters and is flanked by columns with relief carvings winding upward, while the facade combines classical elements with Baroque curves.
History
Emperor Charles VI ordered construction in 1716 after the last major plague epidemic in Vienna ended, dedicating the building to Saint Charles Borromeo. Work stretched over decades and the building was only completed in 1737, shortly before the emperor's death.
Culture
The name honors Charles Borromeo, a 16th-century cardinal from Milan who aided plague victims and served as patron saint to Emperor Charles VI. The twin columns quote ancient Rome and display scenes from the saint's life in their spiral form, while the interior dome carries dramatic representations of heaven.
Practical
The church sits near Karlsplatz metro station where lines U1, U2, and U4 converge, and doors open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays. Visitors can climb a narrow staircase or take a lift to the viewing platform in the dome and enjoy views over the city.
Did you know?
Johann Michael Rottmayr created the frescoes in the dome, and visitors today can get close enough to the painted figures to see details barely visible from the floor. The artist used a technique where colors appear almost rough up close but blend from a distance to create depth.
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