Question: Ever wondered why the Rochuskirche stands here seemingly untouched by time? Let me tell you a story. The Rochuskirche is more than just a beautiful church. It is a testament to faith and resilience.
The Rochuskirche history begins in the 17th century. Emperor Ferdinand II brought the Discalced Augustinians to Vienna in 1631. They were first housed at Augustinerkirche but were later moved. Ferdinand II gave them a vineyard on Landstrasse in 1636.
Ferdinand III laid the foundation for a church and monastery in 1642. This church was dedicated to Saint Sebastian. Later, in 1679, a plague brotherhood formed under Saint Rochus patronage. Since then the church has been named after both saints. So it became the Rochuskirche.
The Rochuskirche suffered damage over the years. A fire damaged it in 1656. It was restored by 1672 for the church and 1681 for the monastery. The Ottoman Turks severely damaged it in 1683. By 1695, it was rebuilt again. Anton Ospel completed the facade in 1721. The Rochuskirche was consecrated in 1727.
The monastery served as a hospital in 1805 for French soldiers. In 1809, it housed Austrian prisoners of war. It was dissolved in 1812. The Rochuskirche was then given to secular clergy. Before that, the monastery clergy transferred to other Augustinian monasteries. An imposing Marian column once stood in front of the church. It was removed in 1789.
Look at the Rochuskirche facade. Notice the three-axis facade with its twin towers. Enormous pilasters rise above a high base. There is a high attic area with broad triangular gables. The towers have double pilasters and bulging domes with lanterns. Statues by Georg Anton Eberl adorn the niches. They depict Saints Sebastian, Ulrich, Maria with Child, Rochus and Rosalia.
Step inside the Rochuskirche. Admire the altar painting “Maria with the Plague Saints Rochus, Sebastian and Rosalia”. Peter Strudel created it around 1689. Emperor Leopold I commissioned the high altar in 1689. The left transept altar shows the “Holy Family” by Joseph Kastner the Elder from the mid-19th century. The right one depicts “Johannes Nepomuk before the Crucified” from Peter Strudel’s school around 1728/1729.
The Rochuskirche also venerates “Maria vom guten Rat” or “Maria Genazzano”. This is a copy of a Roman cult object. P. Kaspar Scheurer brought it to Vienna in 1754. It was placed on a side altar. Maria Theresa greatly admired the image. It was moved to the high altar in 1759. Johann Baptist Divall cast the bells. The last major restoration took place in 2002.
The Rochuskirche stands not only as a place of worship but also as a landmark. It represents Vienna’s past. From its tumultuous beginnings to its art and architecture, the Rochuskirche invites us to reflect. It reminds us of the enduring power of faith.