Jesuit Church, Vienna Travel Guide

4.8 (1881)

Discover Vienna's hidden gem: A Baroque church with stunning frescoes and a trompe-l'oeil dome, located near the University of Vienna.

Home
Travel Guides
Austria
Vienna
Jesuit Church

The Jesuit Church, also known as the University Church, is a stunning Baroque church in Vienna, Austria. Built in the 17th century and later remodeled by Andrea Pozzo, it boasts an opulent interior with faux marble pillars, intricate frescoes, and a remarkable trompe-l'oeil dome. Despite its relatively austere exterior, the church's interior is a feast for the eyes, making it a must-see for visitors.

A brief summary to Jesuit Church

Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz 1, Vienna, Innere Stadt, 1010, AT
Click to display
Click to display

Monday 8 am-9 pm
Tuesday 8 am-9 pm
Wednesday 8 am-9 pm
Thursday 8 am-9 pm
Friday 8 am-9 pm
Saturday 8 am-9 pm
Sunday 8 am-9 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Jesuit Church.

Take your time to admire the trompe-l'oeil dome, a remarkable artistic illusion created by Andrea Pozzo.
Attend a concert or religious service to experience the church's acoustics and atmosphere.
Visit the nearby St. Stephen's Cathedral and other landmarks in Vienna's Innere Stadt.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Hofburg

Prater

Schmetterlinghaus

Burggarten

Heldenplatz

Explore Jesuit Church on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Jesuit Church, mapped for you.

Getting There

Public Transport

The Jesuit Church is easily accessible via Vienna's public transport network. From Wien Hauptbahnhof (main train station), take the U1 subway line (red line) to Stephansplatz, then transfer to the U3 line (orange line) to Stubentor. From Westbahnhof, take the U3 subway line directly to Stubentor. The church is a short walk from the Stubentor station. A single journey ticket costs approximately €2.40.
Walking

The Jesuit Church is located in the Innere Stadt (1st district) and is within walking distance of many central landmarks. From St. Stephen's Cathedral, walk northeast along Stephansplatz, then turn onto Rotenturmstraße. Continue onto Bäckerstraße, then turn left onto Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz. The church will be on your left. The walk is approximately 5-10 minutes.
Taxi

Taxis are readily available throughout Vienna. A taxi from Wien Hauptbahnhof to the Jesuit Church takes approximately 7 minutes and costs between €8 and €11. From Westbahnhof, a taxi ride to the church takes about 10 minutes and costs between €10 and €13. Taxi fares in Vienna start at €5.00, with a cost of €1.40 per kilometer.

Discover more about Jesuit Church

The Jesuit Church, officially named Jesuitenkirche and also known as the University Church (Universitätskirche), stands as a striking example of Baroque architecture in Vienna. Located on Doktor-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz, adjacent to the old University of Vienna buildings, its location has a rich history dating back to 1237.The church was originally constructed between 1623 and 1627 when the Jesuit order merged their college with the University of Vienna's philosophy and theology faculty. The church was dedicated to Saints Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier. In the early 18th century, Emperor Leopold I commissioned Brother Andrea Pozzo, a Jesuit architect, painter, and sculptor, to remodel the church in the High Baroque style. Pozzo added twin towers and reworked the facade.While the exterior appears relatively simple, the interior is lavishly decorated. Visitors are greeted by faux marble pillars, gilded accents, and allegorical ceiling frescoes. A highlight is the trompe-l'oeil dome, a masterpiece painted by Andrea Pozzo on a flat ceiling surface to create the illusion of a three-dimensional dome. The church was rededicated to the Assumption of Mary after Pozzo's renovations. Today, the Jesuit Church continues to serve as a place of worship and hosts various concerts and cultural events.