Augustunerstrasse 3
Tel. 01- 533 7099
Open: daily
The Augustinian Church (Augustinerkirche), located at Augustinerstraße 3, 1010 Vienna, Austria, is a historic Gothic parish church integrated into the Hofburg Palace complex, the former winter* imperial winter residence of the Habsburg dynasty. Founded in 1327 by Duke Frederick the Handsome, it is one of Vienna’s oldest surviving buildings and a key cultural, historical, and religious landmark. As the imperial court church from 1634 to 1918, it hosted significant events like royal weddings and sacred music performances, and it is uniquely associated with the Habsburgs’ burial traditions, notably the Herzgruft (Heart Crypt).
Foundation (1327–1339)
The Augustinian Church was established in
1327 when Duke Frederick I of Austria (Frederick the Handsome) donated
land near the Hofburg fortress to the Augustinian Hermits, a monastic
order focused on scholarship and missionary work. Construction began in
1330 under architect Dietrich Landtner von Pirn, with the Gothic hall
church completed in 1339 and consecrated on November 1, 1349. A cloister
for the Augustinian friars was built alongside, and the church’s
proximity to the Hofburg positioned it as a spiritual center for the
Habsburg court.
The Augustinians were prolific scholars,
producing works like the Chronicle of the 95 Rulers by Leopold of
Vienna, which bolstered Habsburg legitimacy by linking them to Austria’s
historic rulers.
Imperial Court Church (1634–1918)
In 1634,
Emperor Ferdinand II designated the church as the official court parish,
elevating its role in imperial ceremonies, including weddings, funerals,
and Marian devotions central to the Habsburgs’ Counter-Reformation
piety. Managed by Augustinian monks, it served the imperial family’s
spiritual needs.
The church faced challenges during Emperor
Joseph II’s monastic reforms in the 1780s, which reduced the Augustinian
community. By 1836, the monastery was dissolved, and secular priests
took over until 1918. The Augustinian Order was restored in 1951, and
today, six monks maintain the parish.
Key Historical Moments
1683: Polish King Jan Sobieski attended Mass here after defeating the
Turks, commemorated by a plaque on the outer wall.
1722: After Vienna
became an archbishopric, new archbishops began processions from the
church to St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
1945: World War II bombings
damaged the church, but it was restored by 1950, preserving its Gothic
character.
Exterior
The Augustinian Church’s exterior is understated, as it
is embedded within the Hofburg complex. Its original main facade,
featuring a central window and portal, was obscured between 1767 and
1769 by the construction of the imperial court library (now part of the
Austrian National Library). The square tower on the north side is
visible from Albertinaplatz, but the Augustinerstraße facade blends with
surrounding buildings, making the church less prominent than standalone
structures like St. Stephen’s Cathedral. This integration reflects its
role as a court church, accessible directly from the Hofburg.
Interior
The interior is a pristine example of Gothic architecture,
measuring 85 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 11 meters in nave width.
Built from polychrome sandstone, it features a soaring roof, slender
columns, and a three-aisled hall layout. Baroque additions, including 16
side chapels, were added in the 17th century but removed during a
1784–1785 restoration by Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg,
which restored the Gothic aesthetic.
Key architectural elements:
St. George’s Chapel (1337): A Gothic chapel off the right aisle, donated
by Duke Otto, accessible via guided tours.
Long Choir: Begun in 1337,
it enhances the church’s spaciousness.
Altar: Installed in 1873,
originally designed for the Votivkirche, it depicts Christ the King with
angels and saints, adding grandeur.
The interior is simpler than
Baroque churches like Peterskirche, reflecting Augustinian modesty, but
it houses significant artworks and artifacts.
Tomb of Archduchess Maria Christina
A highlight is the
Neoclassical cenotaph for Archduchess Maria Christina (1742–1798),
sculpted by Antonio Canova (1798–1805). Commissioned by her husband,
Albert of Saxony-Teschen, this white Carrara marble pyramid features
allegorical figures symbolizing virtues and mourning. As a cenotaph, it
does not contain her body (interred in the Imperial Crypt), but its
artistry draws significant attention.
Herzgruft (Heart Crypt)
The Loreto Chapel, right of the main altar, contains the Herzgruft, a
crypt with 54 silver urns holding the hearts of Habsburg rulers and
relatives, a tradition from 1654 (Ferdinand IV) to 1878. Visible through
an iron door’s window, it is accessible after Sunday Mass or by
appointment. The Habsburgs’ bodies are in the Imperial Crypt, and their
entrails in St. Stephen’s Cathedral, making this a unique burial
practice.
Side Altar to Blessed Karl of Austria
Dedicated in
2004 to Blessed Karl I, the last Austrian Emperor (beatified in 2004),
this altar reflects ongoing devotion to the Habsburg legacy and Karl’s
path to sainthood.
Organs
Two organs support the church’s
sacred music tradition, used during Sunday High Mass and concerts,
enhancing its cultural role.
Imperial Weddings
As the court church, it hosted major Habsburg
weddings, including:
1736: Maria Theresa to Francis of Lorraine.
1770: Marie Antoinette to Louis XVI (by proxy).
1810: Marie Louise to
Napoleon (by proxy).
1854: Franz Joseph to Elisabeth of Bavaria
(“Sisi”).
1881: Crown Prince Rudolf to Princess Stephanie.
These
events tied the church to European royal alliances.
Sacred Music
The church is a hub for sacred music, particularly during the 11 a.m.
Sunday High Mass, featuring a full orchestra, choir, and soloists
performing works by Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, and Bruckner. Notable
premieres include Schubert’s Mass in F Major and Bruckner’s Mass in F
Minor. Free to attend, the Mass attracts large crowds, requiring early
arrival (10:15 a.m.) for seating.
Augustinian Order
The
Augustinian monks, known for scholarship and preaching (e.g., Abraham a
Sancta Clara in the 17th century), shape the church’s liturgical and
musical traditions. Their black robes and small community (six monks)
maintain its spiritual life.
Location and Access
Address: Augustinerstraße 3, 1010 Vienna,
Austria.
Public Transport:
Subway: U3 or U1 to Stephansplatz, then
walk via Graben and Dorotheergasse.
Bus: 2A to Albertinaplatz or 1A
to Habsburgergasse.
Hours: Daily, 6:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Admission:
Free; donations (€10+) encouraged during Sunday Mass.
Visiting
Tips
Sunday High Mass: Attend at 11 a.m. for music by Mozart, Haydn,
or others. Arrive by 10 a.m. for seats. Follow etiquette: stay silent,
stand/sit with the congregation, and avoid communion if non-Catholic.
Duration: ~1 hour.
Herzgruft: View after Sunday Mass or by guided
tour (prearrange via parish).
Photography: Allowed, but no flash;
respect worshippers.
Accessibility: Loreto Chapel has five steps,
limiting mobility access.
Nearby Attractions
Hofburg Palace:
Adjacent imperial residence.
Austrian National Library: On
Josefsplatz, with a Baroque State Hall.
Albertina Museum: Nearby art
collection.
Burggarten: Public park behind the church.
The Augustinian Church reflects Vienna’s transformation from a
medieval city to the Habsburg Empire’s cultural capital. Its role as the
court church tied it to dynastic politics, while its survival through
reforms, wars, and modernization underscores its resilience. The Gothic
interior contrasts with Baroque opulence, aligning with Augustinian
simplicity, while the Herzgruft and Canova’s cenotaph add historical and
artistic intrigue.
The church’s music tradition connects it to
Vienna’s musical heritage, complementing venues like the Vienna State
Opera. Its integration into the Hofburg and ongoing Augustinian presence
make it a living link to Austria’s imperial past.