Votivkirche Church, Vienna

Vienna's architectural style is a wonderful colourful palette. Alongside the imposing palaces there are many buildings to admire, among which it is now time to focus on the neo-Gothic church of the Votivkirche.

The Votivkirche is a magnificent temple of faith and can be found on the famous Ringstrasse. The Votivkirche was built between 1856 and 1879 on the initiative of Ferdinand Maximilian. This man was the brother of the then reigning Emperor Franz Joseph I. Ferdinand Maximilian's idea was that the erection of the Votivkirche would be a sign of gratitude to God for saving the Emperor's life after an assassination attempt was organized against him. The official completion of the church took place on 24 April 1879, the date being chosen deliberately to coincide with the 25th wedding anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I and his wife Sisi.

The name Votivkirche translates from Latin as "vow, vow", which is why the whole name translates as "Vow Church". Architecturally, this magnificent church is a three-aisled basilica with transepts that give the building the shape of a cross. Two chapels are located at each of the corners where the naves and transepts intersect. The choir of the Votivkirche is surrounded by an ambulatories with an apsidiola.

During the Second World War the Votivkirche lost its splendid stained glass windows, but the Viennese community was a good steward of its heritage and in 1964 they were, albeit with alterations designed to reflect the changing times. The next impressive part of the interior of the Votivkirche is the high altar. It is decorated with a gilded retablo, over which a canopy is picturesquely spread, and is modelled on examples of Italian Gothic. The retablo on the altar is decorated with images of scenes from the Old Testament, depicting the sacrifice of Abram and the dream of Joseph. In the center, on the other hand, is a crucifix, on either side of which are gilded statues of two angels. The angels in turn are surrounded by the figures of the patron Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, Bishop Maximilian of Celje, Bishop Hilary of Poitiers and Bernard of Clairvaux. The canopy of the high altar of the Votivkirche is supported by four columns made entirely of red granite. The opulence ends here - on top of the canopy is placed the figure of Christ surrounded by four angels.

Special attention should also be paid to the organs of the Votivkirche - three in number. The main organ is located just above the main entrance and was placed in the Votivkirche in 1878. The organ has 61 registers and 3762 pipes. The so-called Old Choir organ was made in 1904 and has 10 registers, and the new choir organ was made in 1970 and has 20 registers.

An interesting feature of the Votivkirche church is its chapels. These are in the transept and are several in number - the Rosary chapel, the Chapel of the Cross, the Chapel of the Bishops and the Baptismal font.

The chapel of the Rosary is also called the "chapel of the prince" and it housed the Gothic "Antwerp altar" (retablo) of the 15th century until 1986. The latter was later moved to the museum. The Rosary Chapel, on the other hand, until 1878 contained the remains of Count Nicholas of Zalm, known as the hero who successfully defended Vienna in 1529. On both sides of the crucifix are the Virgin Mary and the Apostle John. The Episcopal Chapel, on the other hand, is dedicated to the "Sacred Heart". For this reason, in the center of its marble altar is a statue of the "Sacred Heart" of Christ, surrounded on either side by scenes of the Passion of Christ. The baptistery is also a must-see - it contains an eight-walled alabaster font, and its walls are decorated with the images of St. John of God. Catherine of Alexandria, Sts. Lawrence of Rome, Sts. Barbara Nicomediasta and Sts. First Martyr Stephen.

The Votivkirche is also memorable for its hexagonal neo-Gothic pulpit, surmounted by a four-wall decorative tower of columns, at the top of which is placed the figure of Sts. John the Baptist. It is in turn depicted with images of Christ preaching and the "Fathers of the Church" - Sts. Augustine, Sts. Gregory, Sts. Jerome and Sts. Ambrose.