Dr- Ignaz- Seipel- Platz 4
Tel. 512 5232
Subway: Stephansplatz, Schwedenplatz, Stubentor
Open: 7am- 6:30pm daily
The Jesuitenkirche, also known as the Jesuit Church or University Church, is a prominent Baroque church located in Vienna, Austria, at Dr. Ignaz Seipel-Platz 1 in the Innere Stadt district. Dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, it stands adjacent to the old buildings of the University of Vienna and serves as a testament to the historical influence of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in education and religion. The church is renowned for its opulent interior that contrasts sharply with its relatively modest exterior, featuring masterful illusionistic art and lavish decorations that embody the grandeur of Baroque aesthetics. Built in the early 17th century and remodeled in the early 18th century, it measures approximately 55 meters in length and 25 meters in width, with a nave width of 13 meters. The church remains an active place of worship, hosting masses, concerts, and events, and is open daily to visitors free of charge.
The origins of the Jesuitenkirche trace back to the early 17th
century amid the Jesuits' expanding role in Vienna. In 1551, King
Ferdinand I invited Jesuits to the city to counter the spread of
Protestantism, and by 1623, they had merged their college with the
University of Vienna's faculties of philosophy and theology.
Construction of the church began in 1623 on the site of an earlier
chapel, with Emperor Ferdinand II breaking ground. It was completed
in 1627 and consecrated in 1631, initially dedicated to Saints
Ignatius of Loyola and Francis Xavier, the founders of the Jesuit
order.
A major transformation occurred between 1703 and 1705
under Emperor Leopold I, who commissioned the Italian Jesuit brother
Andrea Pozzo—an accomplished architect, painter, and sculptor—to
remodel the church. Pozzo added twin towers, redesigned the façade,
and overhauled the interior, re-dedicating the church to the
Assumption of Mary. Pozzo died in Vienna in 1709 and is buried in
the church's crypt.
The church's history reflects the turbulent
fate of the Jesuits. The order was suppressed by Pope Clement XIV in
1773, leading to the church being managed by the state and briefly
serving as a garrison church before becoming a city parish seat from
1783 to 1908. It was restored to the Jesuits in 1814 by Pope Pius
VII, expelled again in 1848 during revolutionary unrest, and finally
returned in 1856 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. Throughout, it
maintained strong ties to the university, earning its nickname as
the University Church, and has hosted notable events, including
religious services and musical performances. The façade underwent
renovation in 1965, preserving its historical integrity.
The exterior of the Jesuitenkirche is characterized by its early Baroque style, presenting a two-level façade that appears relatively simple and austere compared to the interior. It features narrow horizontal and vertical sections, with windows and niches housing statues, topped by a narrow central gable. The twin Baroque towers, added by Pozzo, rise symmetrically on either side, each crowned with spires and deviating slightly from traditional Baroque proportions to create a unique silhouette. The façade faces southwest and is adorned with sculptures: at the top are late 17th-century statues of Saints Catherine, Joseph, Leopold, and Barbara, while below are early 18th-century figures of Saints Ignatius and Francis Xavier. This modest exterior belies the opulence within, a deliberate design choice that draws visitors inside to experience the full Baroque splendor.
Entering the Jesuitenkirche reveals a dramatic contrast: an opulent
Baroque interior dominated by warm tones of flesh-colors, ochre, and
gold, evoking themes of resurrection, triumph, and salvation. Pozzo
transformed the space into a centralized "enclosure" with mighty
benches, using illusionistic techniques to enhance depth and grandeur.
The nave features ersatz marble pillars (faux marble columns made from
painted stucco), intricate wood carvings, lavish gilding, and
allegorical frescoes.
The semicircular vaulted ceiling is divided
into four bays, adorned with perspective paintings that create illusions
of architectural extension. A standout feature is Pozzo's trompe-l'œil
dome, painted in 1703 on a flat ceiling section, which masterfully
simulates a soaring cupola with intricate details visible from specific
vantage points. Visual inspections of interior photos reveal ornate
arches with gold leaf accents, pinkish marble-like surfaces, and
sculpted columns supporting balconies with balustrades, all bathed in
natural light from windows.
Side chapels line both sides of the nave,
including the Chapel of the Philosophical Faculty, Stanislaus Chapel,
Guardian Angel Chapel, Ignatius Chapel, Chapel of the Theological
Faculty, Annenkapelle, Leopold Chapel, and Josefskapelle. These chapels
feature dedicated altars and decorations, contributing to the church's
thematic unity around Marian devotion and Jesuit saints.
The church's artistic program is largely the work of Andrea Pozzo, whose frescoes and paintings dominate the space. The ceiling frescoes, reworked in 1827 by Peter Krafft, depict allegorical scenes using quadratura (illusionistic architecture painting). The high altar, an oil on canvas altarpiece titled "Maria Himmelfahrt" (Assumption of Mary), includes a self-portrait of Pozzo as Apostle Andreas. A notable sculptural element is a group featuring two angelic figures holding a blue oval plaque inscribed with "ASSVMPTA EST MARIA GAVDENT ANGELI" (The Assumption of Mary, the Angels Rejoice), framed by red drapery and gold accents, symbolizing heavenly joy. Other decorations include gilded details, crowns, and angelic statues, all enhancing the sense of divine pomp and glory.
The Jesuitenkirche symbolizes the interplay of faith, education, and power in Habsburg Vienna, reflecting the Jesuits' educational mission and the Catholic Church's resilience amid suppressions and revivals. It remains a cultural hub, with the St. Augustin Choir Association and Consortium Musicum Vienna supporting rich music programs, including Sunday concerts. The church is fully accessible, open from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM (or 6:00 PM in some sources), and offers multilingual leaflets explaining the artistic program. Visitors can purchase religious literature inside, and nearby cafés on Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz provide spots for reflection. Self-guided tours are available via apps like GPSmyCity for exploring Vienna's attractions. As of 2025, it continues to attract tourists and locals for its architectural illusions and spiritual ambiance.