Description of the attraction
St. Augustine's Church is a Gothic-style church on Josefplatz square in Vienna's inner city.
The Austrian Duke Frederick, being imprisoned in the Trauznitz castle, met the Augustinian hermits, who made a great impression on the duke. Returning to Vienna in 1327, Frederick founded a church for the Augustinian. The construction, which lasted 9 years (1330-1339), was directed by the architect Landtner. 10 years later, in 1349, the church was consecrated.
From 1634 the church became a court church. It was here that Maria Theresa and Franz of Lorraine, Napoleon and Maria Louise, Franz Joseph and Sisi, as well as Rudolph and Princess Stephanie were married. The church remained a palace church until 1783, after which it became the parish church of Vienna. In 1836, the church was taken over by the white clergy. It was returned to the Augustinian Order much later - only in 1951.
The church is not very noticeable from the outside, but it looks quite rich inside. During the reign of Emperor Joseph II in 1784, the altars were removed, then the church was restored in the Gothic style. A new altar was added in 2004 in honor of Emperor Charles I, who may soon be canonized.
The real treasure of the church is the silver urns that keep the hearts of many members of the Habsburg dynasty. There are 54 urns in the crypt, where the hearts of Ferdinand II, Franz Joseph I, Napoleon II, Franz Karl and many others are kept. Of great interest is the tombstone of the daughter of Maria Theresa - Maria Cristina, it is considered a real masterpiece of the period of classicism. The monument was made by Antonio Canova.
