Did whispers of tolerance ever reach these walls? Here stands the Lutherische Stadtkirche, a quiet monument to resilience in Vienna’s bustling Innere Stadt. The Lutherische Stadtkirche’s history began long before the Protestant faith found a home here. In 1582, this building emerged not as a church, but as a Catholic convent known as the Königinkloster. It was founded by Elisabeth of Austria, daughter of Emperor Maximilian II and widow of King Charles IX of France. She dedicated it to “Holy Mary, Queen of Angels”. Perhaps the convent was Elisabeth’s penance for the St. Bartholomew’s Day Massacre, a tragic event that targeted French Huguenots. The Lutherische Stadtkirche holds a piece of her legacy. This serene sanctuary once housed the hearts of Emperor Matthias, Empress Anna, and Emperor Ferdinand II before they were moved to their final resting places. The church also bears memorial plaques for Caspar Tauber, a martyr of the Protestant Reformation. There’s even one for Emperor Joseph II, whose Edict of Tolerance in 1781 paved the way for Protestant worship here. The Königinkloster met its end under Joseph II’s reforms in 1782. That same year, the nascent Lutheran community acquired this building, transforming the former convent into the Lutherische Stadtkirche. The building has undergone numerous transformations. Its three original towers were removed to comply with the Tolerance Patent, which restricted outward religious displays. Architect Otto Thienemann redesigned the facade in 1876. Then, in 1907, Ludwig Schöne reoriented the interior, swapping the positions of the altar and organ. The neoclassical facade you see today is a restoration from 1989. Inside, admire Franz Linder’s 1783 altarpiece, a copy of Van Dyck’s “Christ on the Cross.” The original artwork hangs nearby in the Kunsthistorisches Museum. Take a moment to appreciate the Lutherische Stadtkirche. It stands as a testament to religious freedom, a sanctuary born from change, echoing with stories of emperors, empresses, martyrs, and the enduring power of faith.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to