Admire the towering structure before you. This is the Hl. Franz von Assisi, also known as the Emperor’s Jubilee Church and the Mexico Church. It stands as a testament to faith and history right here in Vienna.
The construction of Hl. Franz von Assisi celebrated the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I’s reign. Imagine the grandeur of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at its peak. A competition sought the perfect design. Architect Victor Luntz won with his Rhenish-Romanesque style.
Notice the basilica-like brick building. It was intended as a garrison church. Three red-tiled towers rise high. They are visible from kilometers away.
The Hl. Franz von Assisi sits near the Danube. Since 2009, it has been home to Vienna’s English Speaking Catholic Community. Weekly masses are held here.
Consider the Mexikoplatz. It was once Erzherzog-Karl-Platz. Mexico was the only country outside the Soviet Union to protest Austria’s annexation to Nazi Germany. The square commemorates this act of solidarity.
Step inside to discover the Elisabethkapelle. This Art Nouveau chapel is to the left of the choir. It commemorates Empress Elisabeth of Austria, or Sisi. She was assassinated in 1898.
The Elisabethkapelle’s design is inspired by the Palatine Chapel in Aachen Cathedral, which was modeled on the Cappella Palatina in Palermo.
The Red Cross largely financed the Elisabethkapelle because Empress Elisabeth was its first Protector. The chapel is decorated with gold mosaics instead of frescoes. Marble covers the walls. Secession artist Carl Ederer designed the mosaics. Saint Elizabeth of Hungary is depicted on the vault of the chancel. The Elisabethkapelle was completed in 1907 and consecrated in 1908.
The Hl. Franz von Assisi construction occurred from 1898 to 1910. It was consecrated in 1913. Since 1917, the Order of the Holy Trinity has administered the church. It also serves as a parish church.
To reach Hl. Franz von Assisi, take the U1 metro line to Vorgartenstrasse station. Alternatively, Donauinsel station offers a scenic approach via the Reichsbrücke.
As you leave Hl. Franz von Assisi, remember its history. It is a place of worship and a symbol of Vienna’s rich past. The Hl. Franz von Assisi combines architectural beauty with historical significance.