Jesuit Church

The Jesuit Church is a Roman Catholic church located in the 1st district of Vienna, also known as Inner City. It is a beautiful example of Baroque architecture.The church is situated on Dr.-Ignaz-Seipel-Platz, adjacent to the Old University. This is why it is commonly referred to as the University Church.

Architecture

Andrea Pozzo painted the altarpiece titled “Maria Himmelfahrt” and incorporated his own unique features into the portrayal of the apostle Andreas, who is positioned in the bottom left corner.

The altarpiece located in the Faculty of Philosophy chapel, specifically to the left of the entrance, portrays the “mystical marriage of St. Catherine of Alexandria”. In the Stanislaus Chapel, the altarpiece depicts “Franz Borja receiving Stanislaus Kostka in Rome”. The Guardian Angel Chapel features an altarpiece showcasing a “Guardian Angel”. Lastly, the Ignatius Chapel contains an altarpiece illustrating “The Sending of St. Francis Xavier”.

The altarpieces located at the Theological Faculty chapel, specifically the cross altar on the right side upon entry, depict various scenes. The first altarpiece portrays the “Crucifixion,” while the Annen chapel showcases a scene titled “Anna, Maria, and an angel.” In the Leopold chapel, you will find an altarpiece depicting the “Apotheosis of St. Leopold,” and finally, the Josefskapelle features an altarpiece depicting the “Death of Josefs.”All eight altarpieces in the side chapels were created by Andrea Pozzo’s studio.

The walnut pulpit is a valuable artifact dating back to the early 18th century.The pulpit basket features the depictions of the four evangelists, while the soundboard showcases the allegorical characters of Faith, Hope, and Love.The crowning achievement is the statue of St. Francis Xavier baptizing a heathen.The inlay is crafted from mother-of-pearl.

The replica dome, which portrays God the Father, is situated between the second and third bays.The first bay showcases paintings depicting the “Battle of the Angels,” while the fourth bay showcases paintings depicting the “Angel Choirs.” Above the gallery, you will find paintings depicting the “Adoration of the Shepherds,” and below the gallery, you will find paintings depicting “Faith, Hope, Love.”The presbytery focuses on the theme of “Rest of the Holy Family on the Run,” while the motif displayed above the high altar is centered around the concept of the “Trinity.”The murals in the nave vault were created by Johann Peter Krafft in 1827 as a copy of Andrea Pozzo’s work. These murals were later modified in 1899.

History

In the mid-16th century, King Ferdinand I brought the Jesuits to Vienna. As a result, he granted them the Carmelite convent at the court, as the Carmelite order had gradually declined due to the Reformation.In 1623, the Jesuits were granted philosophical and theological positions at the University of Vienna. As part of their presence, they built a church on the grounds where a chapel honoring St. Benedict previously stood.The construction of this structure took place between 1623 and 1631, carried out by an unidentified builder who had limited resources. The construction process was influenced by the prevailing circumstances and requirements of the conflict during that period.Emperor Ferdinand II provided funding for the church, which was dedicated to the Jesuit saints Ignatius von Loyola and Franz Xaver.In order to distinguish it from the Jesuit Church located at the court, which is commonly referred to as the “Upper Jesuit Church,” the newly constructed church was named the “Lower Jesuits Church.”

In 1703, Emperor Leopold I invited the renowned painter and sculptor Andrea Pozzo to Vienna. Pozzo, who had already gained fame in Rome, was summoned by the emperor with the purpose of redesigning the cathedral.The façade was constructed by the Jesuit Pozzo, who also built the two towers.Similarly, the interior was lavishly decorated.Pozzo designed interconnecting galleries above the eight side chapels, which were supported by columns coated in stucco marble. These columns were both straight and curving in shape.The organ was installed in a two-story gallery located above the main entrance.Pozzo was also responsible for designing the high altar dedicated to the Assumption of Mary.

Pozzo, who is primarily renowned for his perspective illusionist paintings, also adorned the church’s ceiling.The trompe-l’oeil mimic dome has the ability to deceive the eye, creating a visually realistic representation of a dome that appears to have depth and dimension.A colored stone is placed on the floor of the nave to indicate the spot where the fake dome has the most significant impact on the observer.Pozzo went a step further by adding an elegant flourish above the fabric-draped Marian crown.The cross on the crown appears to be held by hands that emerge from the ceiling fresco.

The Church came under state ownership following the dissolution of the Jesuit order.The Jesuits have been actively involved in the church since they were readmitted in 1856.

Beneath the church lies a crypt where the deceased brothers of the Jesuit monastery are interred. Among those buried there are the esteemed rector of the church, P. Leo Wallner SJ, who passed away in 2013, and the philosopher Johannes Schasching, who also died in the same year.The crypt is open to the public at different times.

Vienna, Austria