Karlskirche, dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo, is famous for its ellipsoid dome and two flanking columns of bas-reliefs. Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI commissioned this 18th-century Baroque church one year after the last great plague epidemic. See the reliefs and frescoes illustrating the scenes from the life of the great 16th-century reformer. The columns, similar to the Trajan Column in Rome, act as symbols of imperial power. They recall the two columns that stood in front of the Temple at Jerusalem and the Pillars of Hercules. The church is the final resting place of the composer Antonio Vivaldi. A visit to Karlskirche represents just the start of the adventure when you use our Vienna trip itinerary maker tool to plot your vacation.
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Tours to Karlskirche
Karlskirche Reviews
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Vienna is an amazing city with a multitude of beautiful buildings. This is one you won't want to miss! The ceilings are out of this world and the lift to the central dome is well worth braving to see ... more »
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It took us almost an hour to visit the whole church as it was not a huge church as compared to some others that we visited. Taking the lift, you get to go up close with the paintings on the ceiling. W... more »
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Wonderful baroque church that is stunning both outside and in. The addition of two huge floating reflective spheres in the nave is very questionable. So too is the lift, also in the church itself, which does however allow visitors right to the top of the dome. The resulting view is spectacular.
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Best place of Vienna trip. We opted not to go inside. In the evening, with a person playing sitar in the background, the view with small pond before it was most memorable moment. The carving of bible on the twin towers below is marvellous.
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