Augustinerkirche (Augustinian Church)

Augustinerkirche (Augustinian Church) Review

Built during the 14th century and presenting the most unified Gothic interior in the city, the church is something of a fraud—the interior dates from the late 18th century, not the early 14th— though the view from the entrance doorway is stunning: a soaring harmony of vertical piers, ribbed vaults, and hanging chandeliers that makes Vienna's other Gothic interiors look earthbound by comparison. Note on the right the magnificent Tomb of the Archduchess Maria-Christina, sculpted by the great Antonio Canova in 1805 (his own tomb was to look just like this), with mourning figures (including that of her husband, who founded the Albertina) trooping into a pyramid. The imposing Baroque organ sounds as heavenly as it looks, and the Sunday-morning high mass (frequently works by Mozart or Haydn) sung here at 11 am can be the highlight of a trip. To the right of the main altar in the small Loreto Chapel stand silver urns containing some 54 hearts of Habsburg rulers. This rather morbid sight is viewable after mass on Sunday or by appointment.