As the capital city of Austria, Vienna has a lot to offer to tourists. One of the things I loved about Vienna is seeing all the stunning architecture of its government buildings, museums, and churches.
Karlskirche is one of those structures that you must visit while in Vienna. It's a baroque style church with beautiful exteriors with its great dome and two giant columns with intricate detailing. And the interiors are every bit as stunning.
Here's what I'll be discussing in this quick travel guide:
- About Karlskirche
- A Panoramic View of Vienna
- Where to Get Tickets to Karlskirche
- How to Get to Karlskirche
- When to Visit Karlskirche
About Karlskirche
Completed in the early 18th century, this baroque-style church was built during the reign of Emperor Charles VI and was named after Saint Charles Borromeo.
The church was designed by architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, and it was said to be his last work. It was finished by his son Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach.
The interiors of the church feature marvelous displays of marble stonework, stone statues, paintings, scrollwork, and carvings, with touches of gold here and there.
 |
| the stunning interiors of Karlskirche, decorated with marble works and beautiful paintings |
Apart from its regular functions as a Catholic church for mass service, Karlskirche also serves as a venue for classical concerts.
A Panoramic View of Vienna
If there isn't a mass service, you can only enter Karlskirche if you buy a ticket. Apart from seeing the interiors, this ticket also gives you access to some of the best overlooking views of Vienna.
 |
| Overlooking views of Vienna from Karlskirche |
A few flights of stairs can take you to an outdoor view deck. From this height, you can see the Künstlerhaus and Musikverein buildings off to the side of Karlsplatz. You can also catch a glimpse of St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Secession Building, the Rathaus, and more.
From the inside of the church, there's another viewpoint which is accessible through a scaffolded tower on one side of the dome. This tower contains a panorama lift that takes you up to the ceiling. At the top of the tower is a small window that looks out across the city. From here, you can also closely admire the intricate paintings across the dome walls.
 |
| a closer look at the painting on the dome walls |
Where to Get Tickets to Karlskirche
 |
| a closer view of the facade |
- Adults - €9.50
- Students - €4
- Children below 10 years old - FREE
If you get a Vienna Public Transport City Card, you can get a discount to enter Karlskirche and other popular tourist attractions in the city. You can enrich your experience with this Vienna audio guide and learn more about the Karlskirche and the other attractions included in the guide.
If you want a unique experience, you can also watch a classical concert inside Karskirche. The Four Seasons Concert by Vivaldi is set to take place in Karlskirche 5 nights a week from March to November 2023.
How to Get to Karlskirche
If you're staying in the city center or close to it, Karlskirche is just a 15 to 30-minute walk. Take in all the beautiful architecture in Vienna as you stroll around.
From any point in Vienna, you can take the subway via line U4 and get off at Karlsplatz station. From there, Karlskirche is only less than 5 minutes away.
You can also take a tram with numbers 1, 62, or BB, and get off at the Karlsplatz U tram stop. Alternatively, you can take a bus with numbers 321 or G1, and get off at the Wien Karlsplatz bus stop.
When to Visit Karlskirche
Karlskirche is open from 8 am to 6 pm every Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and public holidays, it is open from 12 to 7 pm. Mass schedule is at 9:30 am and 11 am every Sunday and 6 pm from Monday to Saturday.
You only need about an hour to visit Karlskirche so you can easily include it in your itinerary. I would highly recommend it because it's such an amazing work of architecture that you shouldn't miss while in Vienna.
0 Comments