The Votive Church, Votivkirche in German, is an important Roman Catholic sanctuary in the centre of Vienna and the second highest church in the city.

This is why it often appears in photos or promotional material of Vienna.

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Architecture and history

It is impossible not to notice that the Votivkirche is built in a similar style to some other Viennese buildings (such as the town hall). The style can be described as Neo-Gothic with typical slender and high lines.

With a height of 99 metres, it is the second tallest church after the Stephansdom and almost equals the height of the Vienna Town Hall.

The church was built near Schottentor on the site of the failed assassination of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The Emperor's brother Ferdinand Maximilian subsequently organised a national collection of more than 300,000 gold pieces, which he used to build this church as a thank-you to God for saving the Emperor's life (hence the name "votive" = thanksgiving church).

Construction began in 1856 and was completed in 1879.

Admission and opening hours

The church is open to the tourist public from Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00-18:00, on Sundays 9:00-13:00 and closed on Mondays.

Entrance to the church is free.

Location and transport

The Votive Church is located in the centre of Vienna in the Sigmund Freud Park near the main Ringstrasse. Within the city centre, it can be reached within 30 minutes on foot from all the sights, and it is also easily accessible by public transport:

Metro - Schottentor station approx. 100 metres (line U2)
Tram - Schottentor station approx. 100 metres (lines D, 1, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42, 71)
Bus - Schottentor stop approx. 150 metres (line 1A)