Votive Kirche Michael McClurg ’20

The Votivkirche (Votive Church) is a church on the Vienna Ringstraße, completed in 1879. It was commissioned to commemorate the miraculous survival of Emperor Franz Josef I when his collar deflected an assassin’s knife blade. The church was primarily meant as a votive offering — hence the name — an object placed on a sacred site for commemorative or other religious purposes. It was to be built on the site where the Emperor was attacked.
To create the church, a competition was held to find a suitable project to match the grand purpose of the church.This competition was won by the young architect Heinrich von Ferstel, who designed it in the Neo-Gothic style. Indeed, simply looking at it, the church looks like it was built in medieval times, despite being a mere 140 years old. Walking along the Ringstraße, the church stands out as unique among the Baroque buildings that define much of the street. It is an arresting presence, riding high above the other buildings and easily seen from far away.
Today, as a part of the Ringstraße, the church is a major tourist attraction. But despite its constant flow of people, the Votivkirche makes sure to be accessible for worship as well. Outside of service time, a special section of the church is separated for prayer. Behind glass walls is a small alcove with seating and a small altar for worship at all times of the day. Tourists are forbidden to enter to keep it as a quiet, secluded place for churchgoers only, a unique solution among the churches of Vienna. It ensues that no matter how busy the church may be, it can keep its original purpose as a place of worship for believers.