Description of the attraction
The Maltese Church (also called the Church of St. John the Baptist) is a Catholic church in Vienna, located in the first district. It got its name in honor of the Order of Malta, to which the church belongs.
In the early 13th century, the Maltese came to Vienna at the invitation of Leopold VI. The first church, located on the site of the Maltese Church, was built in 1217 and was called the "House of the Brothers of St. John". The task of the priest of the church was to care for the poor and sick people. In 1265, the chapel of John the Baptist was built, and in 1340 a Gothic church appeared in its place. The modern Maltese Church was built in the middle of the 15th century.
In 1806, the facades were changed, pilasters and a small tower appeared. The church was rebuilt in the Baroque style, there was an altar made by Johann Schmidt, and a little later, an organ. In 1857, stained glass windows also appeared in the Maltese Church.
During the First World War, the Order of Malta incurred large financial costs for the surgical department, personnel and transport. Therefore, in 1933, the order was forced to sell the church. The local archdiocese, which took possession of the Maltese Church for almost 30 years, has kept it intact. During this period, the church was recognized as a historical monument.
In 1960, the Maltese Organ bought out the church. After 8 years, restoration began: at first, work was carried out with the altar, after 4 years, the entire interior of the church began to be restored. In 1984, restoration work began on the facade.
Of greatest interest in the church is the altar, decorated with statues of Peter and Paul, as well as the marble monument depicting Jean Valette and two Turks. The monument was created to commemorate the 1557 event when Valletta defended Malta from the Turks.
