Karlskirche. Custom Church of classical Vienna

History, as we know, the treacherous nature. Get into it by chance alone and would never dream of it not be more. Someone is making tremendous efforts and will be forgotten in a few years, and some well settle here forever. Everyone will be rewarded for it ...

In the middle of the XVI-th century lived a priest in Italy by Carlo Borromeo. Called to Rome by Pope Pius IV, became a cardinal, and later Archbishop of Milan. Notable for extraordinary views of the church and clergy of the time. He promoted the idea of purifying the church, increasing discipline and responsibility of priests. But it became known, and later canonized by Carlo others: during the plague epidemic, he was one of the few clergymen of that rank, who took to the streets, helping the sick, accomplishes rites over the dying. Charles Borromeo was canonized and became the Holy Ghost. In his honor, was built by the church of San Carlo al Corso in Rome, he became one of the saints who prayed that the plague away.

You may ask - why here in Vienna, the Italian priest? Simple. 1713 - truly a terrible plague swept across Austria. Charles IV Gabburg make a vow to build a temple in honor ... of course, St. Charles, a savior of the plague. This is serious - a competition that benefits already known, almost "court" architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach. The most "weight" of his work, perhaps, is the imperial palace of Schönbrunn. He also built and palace in Prague, and the Mausoleum at Graz and the church in Salzburg. The level of the architect is quite the task. This church was built for a record 24 years. For comparison, Notre Dame in Paris was built about 170 years, St. Stephen's Cathedral and the more - few taken to restrict the start and end work on this "giant". Despite the relative speed of construction, Fischer von Erlach did not live up to its end, the work continued by his son - Joseph Emanuel. Historians have not agreed on what caused such an exotic species of the cathedral - whether two different architect, work on it, whether still the original draft, approved, and "refined" by Charles IV Habsburg. However, if you look at the Parliament Building in Vienna - the view is only one.

So systematically, we came to the topic of today's tour - the church Karlskirche (German: Wiener Karlskirche), which means "Charles Church. This is the Catholic Church, it is now turned into a museum - that is, no longer valid. Karlskirche is located on the same name Karlsplatz actually on the border of the so-called "inner city" - the historic center of Vienna, limited Ringo. Building was monumental. Its huge dome is crowned by colored patina underneath hard to describe a mixture of styles and architectural delights: The main part of the temple was borrowed from the Greeks, the side chapels suggest the reflection of the period of the Italian Renaissance, and curved roofs and does associate with Chinese pagodas. There is massive columns at the entrance to the church - whether the desire to repeat the Muslim minaret, whether still copying the triumphal columns of Roman emperors. If all this cacophony of styles you do not cast a spell and did not knock at least a muse - can draw attention to the sculptural group at the entrance and the figures on the pediment of the building. In front are the angels, symbolizing New and Old Testament, on the pediments an allegory of virtue: Repentance and mercy, humility and faith ... And what a church without a patron saint. In the center sits the same St. Charles, which was supposed to protect Vienna from the plague. Interest is viewed as Carlo Borromeo and the reliefs of two monumental columns, set on both sides of the central entrance.

After such external magnificence even begins to wonder whether it is worth looking inside the church - what else could "mixture of" this extraordinary architect. Surprisingly, the interior of the church rather "calm". Attract attention, ceiling murals, mostly depicting the glorious life of Charles Borromeo .. Most of the murals created by Johann Michael Rottmayr from Salzburg, although the interior painting and other artists involved. A striking baroque splendor of the interior also contributes to the high altar, designed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, it decorates the stucco relief representing St. Charles Barromeya, ascended to heaven on a cloud surrounded by angels and cherubs.

The height of the cathedral - just 72 meters. Up an elevator, and the last step walk. If you want to look at the panorama of Vienna - to do it still better with St. Stephen's Cathedral - and more interesting location and height povnushitelney.