The Votivkirche is a neo-Gothic church on the Ringstrasse, built between 1856 and 1879 to mark the survival of Emperor Franz Joseph I from an assassination attempt in 1853. Neo-Gothic means it was designed in the 19th century to look medieval: pointed arches, ribbed vaults, twin spires reaching 99 meters. The architect was Heinrich von Ferstel, who was 25 when he won the commission. The interior is cooler and more austere than Vienna’s Baroque churches, with a strong vertical emphasis. Free entry. Located at the top of the Ring near Schottentor; combine with the Rathaus and Burgtheater on the same stretch.
church in Vienna
Votivkirche
The Votivkirche was built as a thank-you note from a younger brother. When an assassin stabbed Emperor Franz Joseph in the neck in 1853 and failed to kill him, Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian organized a public fundraising campaign to build a church in gratitude.
- Type
- church
- Destination
- Vienna
- Cost
- Free to visit
- Founded
- 1879
- Era
- Neo-Gothic
- Address
- Rooseveltplatz 8, 1090 Wien, 1090 Vienna
- Coordinates
- 48.2154, 16.3591
- Official website
- Visit website