Augustinerkirche, Vienna
Steeple of Augustinerkirche from Albertinaplatz. Photo by Douglas Sprott.
The beautiful interior of the Augustinerkirche. Photo © Mike Reed.
Tomb in the Augustinerkirche. Photo by luxpim.
Location map and aerial view of the Augustinerkirche. For a larger view,
see our Vienna Map or get our free Google Earth download.
The Augustinerkirche (Augustinian Church) is a notable church located on Josefsplatz in Vienna. Originally built in the 14th century as the parish church of the imperial court, the harmonious Gothic interior was added in the 18th century.
The view of the interior from the entrance is stunning: a soaring harmony of vertical piers, ribbed vaults, and hanging chandeliers.
In the small Loreto Chapel, to the right of the main altar, are silver urns containing the hearts of Habsburg rulers. The urns can be viewed anytime through a window in an iron door.
The Loreto Chapel, as well as the 1337 Chapel of St. George, is open to the public only after early mass on Sunday, Monday, or on guided tours. Tours are not terribly easy to come by, as only four monks staff the entire operation, but you can always ask.
The tomb of Maria Christina, the favorite daughter of Maria Theresa, is in the main nave near the rear entrance. The richly ornamented tomb is one of Canova's masterpieces, but it's empty - the princess is actually buried in the Imperial Crypt.
In addition to the burials, many Habsburg weddings took place in Augustinerkirche, including those of Maria Theresa to Francis Stephen of Lorraine in 1736, Marie Antoinette to Louis XVI of France in 1770, Marie-Louise of Austria to Napoléon in 1810 (by proxy - he didn't show up), and Franz Joseph to Elisabeth of Bavaria in 1854.
Whether you're Catholic or not, attending mass at the Augustinerkirche is highly recommended and can be the highlight of a trip to Austria. Every Sunday at 11am, June through September, is a spectacular organ mass, which regularly features Haydn or Mozart. The imposing Baroque organ sounds as heavenly as it looks. Get there 45 minutes early to ensure a good seat – it is usually standing room only.
Quick Facts
| Names: | Augustinerkirche; Augustinian Church |
| Address: | Augustinerstrasse 3, Josefsplatz, Vienna, Austria |
| Phone: | 01/533-7099-0 |
| U-Bahn: | U3/Herrengasse or Stephensplatz |
| Hours: | Daily 6:30am-6pm |
| Cost: | Free |
| Mass: | Sundays at 11am, free. |
| Concerts: | End of May to end of September on Fridays at 7:30pm. Tickets cost 10€ to 25€, depending on the event. |
