Wien Karl Borromäus (Zentralfriedhof) -Kirche Photos

The Karl Borromäus-Kirche, also known as the Dr. Karl Lueger-Kirche, is an important example of Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture.

The church was designed by Max Hegele, a student of Otto Wagner. It's located inside the Wiener Zentralfriedhof (Vienna Central Cemetery), Tor / Gate 2.

Otto Wagner was one of the founders of the Vienna Secession movement. in 1889, the 27-year-old Max Hegele (Wagner's student) won the competition to design the Karl Borromäus-Kirche, the Zentralfriedhof second gate, and two mausoleum halls. Hegele also designed Vienna's Fillgraderstieiege, named Europe's 4th most beautiful stairs.

Construction began in 1908 and was completed a few years later. The original plan was to name the church "Karl Borromäus-Kirche."

Karl Borromäus is a Catholic saint. Karlsplatz, a large open place (and subway station) in Vienna, was also named after Karl Borromäus (as was the Karlskirche, the church at Karlsplatz).

Before construction was completed, Karl Lueger died.

Lueger was mayor of Fin de Siècle Vienna.

At the time of Lueger's death, some proposed that the Karl Borromäus church be turned into a monument to Lueger. Accordingly, his mausoleum was placed under the church, and the walls were decorated with designs honoring the deceased mayor.

Lueger is a difficult personality. His Christian Socialist Party is often cited as a forerunner of the German National Socialist Party (Nazi Party), and Hitler apparently admired and developed on Lueger's anti semitism.

At the church's dedication, (Otto) Wagner pleaded for a "Rückkehr zur guten kirchlichen Tradition" (return to good, churchly tradition), decrying the re purposing of the church into a monument to Lueger.

A "pompous" mural depicting Lueger with two angels hangs in the sacristy, a few meters to the right of a portrait of Christ.

Despite difficult associations, the church, with its 60 meter high cupola and colorful internal decorations, is an impressive work of art.

The church was renovated by the city in the 1990's at cost of over €13 million ($17 million).

During the renovation, the midnight blue, starred cupola was restored. The cupola was severely damaged by bombs in WWII, and had only been partially restored after the war. 22,000 gold-glass pieces were hand-applied to the cupola during this process.

If you're interested, I have a few pictures of the Schemmerlbrücke, a bridge and locks work on the Danube designed by Otto Wagner.

I learned so much history researching this piece. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!