The Karlskirche is Vienna’s most important Baroque church and one of the most unique in the whole of Europe. Built on the orders of Emperor Charles VI in the 18th century, it combines unique architecture with one of the largest frescoes in the Baroque world and a panoramic terrace inside the dome itself. Here you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit.
Tickets for the Church of St Charles Borromeo
Buying your ticket online takes less than a minute. You can go straight in without queuing at the ticket office, choose the day that suits you best and, if your plans change, you can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.
Ticket to the Karlskirche, including access to the panoramic terrace
The ticket includes access to the whole church: the Baroque interior, the panoramic terrace inside the dome, the organ loft, the treasury and the scale model of the building. An audio guide is included and can be downloaded onto your mobile; please remember to bring your own headphones.
Access to the panoramic terrace closes at 5.30 pm. Please allow plenty of time for your visit.
From
€10
What is the Karlskirche? Vienna’s grand Baroque church
In 1713, the last major plague epidemic in Vienna claimed the lives of 80,000 people. Emperor Charles VI made a vow: if the epidemic came to an end, he would build a grand Catholic church in honour of Saint Charles Borromeo, the Archbishop of Milan who had devoted himself to caring for the sick during the terrible plague that ravaged the Italian city between 1577 and 1578.
The epidemic subsided. And in 1716, construction began under the direction of the architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach, one of the great masters of Central European Baroque. When Fischer von Erlach died in 1723, his son Joseph Emanuel took over and completed the work in 1737.
The result is a building unlike any other: a deliberate blend of styles — a Greco-Roman portico, columns inspired by Trajan’s Column, side pavilions with oriental decoration — crowned by Vienna’s tallest dome, standing 72 metres high.
For over two centuries, the Karlskirche served as the patron parish church of the Habsburg Empire. Today it welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors a year and remains an active place of worship with daily masses.
What to see at the Karlskirche
The dome and Rottmayr’s fresco
The dome of the Karlskirche is 72 metres high — the tallest in Vienna — and has an oval floor plan, which was somewhat unusual in the Baroque architecture of the time.
Inside, it houses a 1,250-square-metre fresco painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr from Salzburg. The work is entitled The Apotheosis of Saint Charles Borromeo and depicts the saint ascending to heaven whilst interceding with the Virgin Mary on behalf of the citizens of Vienna. The scale is impressive: it is one of the largest Baroque frescoes in Europe.
What makes it unique is that you don’t have to view it from below with your neck craned. The panoramic lift takes you up to a platform 32.5 metres high, from where you can admire the fresco up close and appreciate the details that are completely lost when viewed from the ground.
The panoramic terrace — the best views of Vienna from inside a dome
Included in the admission price, the terrace is the Karlskirche’s best-kept secret. Unlike most viewing platforms in Vienna, this one is situated inside the Baroque dome itself, which makes for a truly unique visual experience.
From up there, you can see:
- The Musikverein, home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Year’s Concert
- St Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), silhouetted to the north against the historic centre
- The newly renovated Wien Museum, right at the foot of the cathedral
- The Rathaus (Town Hall), with its neo-Gothic spire
- The DC Tower, Austria’s tallest skyscraper, in the financial district in the background
You reach the top via a spiral staircase on the side. Please note that the terrace closes at 5.30 pm, an hour before the church.
The interior: white marble, gold leaf and Baroque altars
The exterior of the Karlskirche blends architectural styles from different civilisations, but the interior is Baroque in its purest form. Decorated in white marble with gold leaf detailing, the space leaves no one unmoved.
The High Altar depicts the ascension of Saint Charles Borromeo to heaven on a cloud, surrounded by angels, with rays of light streaming from behind. The side altars feature paintings by Daniel Gran and Sebastiano Ricci, two of the most important artists of the Central European Baroque period.
Above the choir stands the Baroque organ, the central section of which was built in 1739. As you climb up to the terrace, the route also takes you through the organ gallery, where you can see the instrument up close and admire the interior of the church from an unexpected vantage point.
The Borromeo Museum: the church’s treasure
Next to the church, the Borromeo Museum houses a small collection of great historical value centred on the church’s patron saint. Of particular note are the sacred relics of the bishops from the Habsburg era and the travelling garments of St Charles Borromeo himself.
Also on display is a detailed model of the church, standing 2.47 metres tall, which gives an insight into the scale and architectural complexity of the building.
Karlskirche opening times and admission prices
Opening hours
Monday to Saturday
9:00 – 18:00 h
Sundays and public holidays
11:45 – 19:15 h
Panoramic terrace
Every day until 5.30 pm
How long does it take to visit the Karlskirche?
A full tour — including the church, the panoramic lift, the terrace and the museum — takes between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on your pace. If you’re a fan of Baroque art and want to linger over the frescoes and altars, you can easily allow for the longer time.
How to get to the Karlskirche
The Karlskirche is situated on Karlsplatz, one of Vienna’s largest squares, which is very well connected to the rest of the city.
By underground: lines U1, U2 and U4, Karlsplatz station. You can get there in under 15 minutes from virtually anywhere in the city centre.
Walking distance from other landmarks:
Vienna State Opera: 9 minutes
City Hall (Rathaus): 20 minutes
Belvedere Palace: 10 minutes
Direction: Karlsplatz 1, 1040 Viena, Austria.
Is the Karlskirche worth a visit?
The short answer is yes, especially if you’re interested in Baroque architecture, the history of the Habsburg Empire, or if you’re looking for a viewpoint in Vienna that’s a bit different from the usual ones.
The Karlskirche isn’t Vienna’s best-known monument, but it has something that St Stephen’s Cathedral doesn’t: you can climb inside the dome and see the fresco up close. It’s a rare experience in any European church and one that most visitors don’t expect to find.
The price is reasonable for what’s included: the church, the terrace, the museum and the audio guide for €10. If you also attend an evening concert, the combination of a visit and classical music in a setting like this can cost you less than €50 in total.
Who should definitely visit: lovers of art and Baroque architecture, classical music enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to see Vienna from a literally different perspective.
Who might be happy just to see it from the outside: travellers short on time who prioritise other sights and have no particular interest in the interior.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Karlskirche
Yes. The ticket includes access to the panoramic terrace inside the dome, 32.5 metres above ground level, via a lift. From there, you can see Rottmayr’s fresco up close and enjoy views across the whole city. Access closes at 5.30 pm.
No. A standard ticket costs €10 and includes entry to the church, the terrace, the museum and the audio guide. Holders of the Vienna City Card are entitled to a discount. Children under 10 and people with disabilities are admitted free of charge.
There is no strict dress code, but the Karlskirche is an active church. Modest clothing is recommended, especially if you happen to be there during a service.
Between 45 minutes and 1 hour and 15 minutes for a full visit, including the terrace and the museum. If you’re just going to see the interior without going up, 30–40 minutes will be enough.
St Stephen’s Cathedral is Vienna’s most iconic Gothic cathedral; it is the largest and is situated in the heart of the historic centre. St Charles’ Church is Baroque, more intimate and offers something different: you can climb up inside the dome to see the fresco up close, something no other church in Vienna offers. Entry to St Stephen’s Cathedral is free; St Charles’ Church costs €10.
The ground-floor church is accessible via a ramp. The panoramic terrace and the museum are not fully accessible. If you have any specific queries regarding accessibility, please contact the church directly before your visit.
More things to see in Vienna near the Karlskirche
Karlsplatz and the surrounding area are home to several of Vienna’s top attractions. If you have time, these three are well worth a visit:
Wien Museum — Karlsplatz · 2-minute walk
Vienna’s history museum, recently refurbished, with free entry to the permanent exhibition. Perfect for understanding the city’s historical context before or after visiting the Karlskirche.
Belvedere Palace · 10-minute walk
One of Europe’s most spectacular palace complexes, boasting Vienna’s most beautiful Baroque gardens and Gustav Klimt’s *The Kiss*. Book in advance.
Musikverein · 5-minute walk
The world’s most famous concert hall, home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the New Year’s Concert. You can take a guided tour or buy tickets for one of its concerts.