Augustinerkirche, Vienna Travel Guide

The Augustinerkirche, officially St. Augustin, stands as a testament to Vienna's imperial past. Founded in 1327 by Duke Frederick the Handsome, the church initially served as a monastery for Augustinian friars. In 1634, it became the imperial court church, a role it held until the end of the Habsburg monarchy in 1918.Over the centuries, the Augustinerkirche has been the site of numerous significant events, most notably royal weddings. These include the marriages of Maria Theresa to Francis of Lorraine (1736), Emperor Franz Joseph I to Elisabeth of Bavaria (Sisi) (1854), and even Napoleon Bonaparte to Marie Louise of Austria by proxy (1810).While the exterior of the Augustinerkirche may appear modest, the interior boasts a harmonious Gothic design. Key features include the Canova monument, a masterpiece of classicist tomb art dedicated to Archduchess Maria Christina. The church also houses the Herzgruft (Heart Crypt) in the Loreto Chapel, containing silver urns holding the hearts of 54 Habsburg rulers. Additionally, the church has a rich musical history, with Anton Bruckner having played the organ here, and Franz Schubert conducting his Mass in F.