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Vienna Votive Church

A Failed Assassination Attempt

The Votive Church in Vienna was built in 1856 by order of Emperor Franz Josef I after he survived the assassination as an expression of his gratitude to God. The church building is in neo-Gothic style with the iconic twin towers, numerous frescoes and colorful stained glass windows inside.

In 1853, Franz Joseph I of Austria of Austria was assassinated in the street by Hungarian nationalists. Protected by a high-collared uniform, the Emperor survived with only a neck wound. As a token of his gratitude to God, Franz Josef I ordered a church to be built at the site of the assassination, known as the Votive Church in Vienna (Votivkirche).

Built in 1856, the Votive Church in Vienna features a Neo-Gothic Facade with iconic soaring twin towers.

Manywhere Trivia:
Franz Joseph I was the husband of Princess Sisi and one of the longest-reigning monarchs in history for being on the throne for 68 years. He loved The Schönbrunn Palace, the place where he was born and died in.

The interior of the Votive Church is full of religious frescoes and colorful windows that are worth taking your time to admire. The main altar’s Baldachin and Retable are the church’s main collection, decorated with images of Catholic saints and angels, and the 4-meter-high retable is made of gilded solid bronze.

The Rosary Chapel and the Chapel of the Cross are built in the transepts on either side of the altar. The Chapel of the Cross is dedicated to the crucifixion of Jesus, and the Rosary chapel opposite to it houses the Renaissance sarcophagus of Nicholas, Graf von Salm. The German commander died protecting Vienna during the Turkish siege in 1529.

The Bishop's Chapel, located on the east side of the church hall, has several frescoes and four stained glass windows on the walls dedicated to the patron saint of Vienna and Pope Pius II, among others. The chapel is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and is also known as the Sacred Heart Chapel.