On our way through Vienna, we arrived at Mexikoplatz and stood with our mouths open in amazement in front of a building that reminded me a lot of the fairytale castles in Disney films. At first glance, I didn’t immediately realise that I was standing in front of a church.
The Franz von Assisi Church, or Mexican Church in the vernacular, stands not far from the Danube and is truly an impressive building.
About the Franz von Assisi Church
After the first regulation of the Danube in Vienna was completed, the newly formed community still lacked a church. In 1898, a committee was formed to organise donations for a large and representative church building. This was to be dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Josef I’s reign.
In 1900, the foundation stone was laid in the presence of the emperor and 100,000 people. The provisionally completed Jubilee Church was consecrated in 1913, again in the presence of the emperor. During the First World War, work on the church was suspended and it was not completed until after the end of the war.
The square on which the church stands was called Erzherzog Karl – Platz until 1956. The square was renamed in gratitude to Mexico. In 1938, Mexico was the only country besides the Soviet Union to lodge an official protest against the violent annexation of Austria by the National Socialist German Reich. Mexikoplatz and the adjacent Mexikopark can be reached by underground 1 (station Vorgartenstraße).
The church building
The Franz von Assisi Church is a large and mighty church building that has more of a castle character. It is designed in the Rhenish-Romanesque style. Originally, it was planned to use the church as a garrison church. This certainly explains the three massive towers and the massive shape. Altogether, the church is 73 metres high and 76 metres long. I find it astonishing that the entrances are covered with simple wooden roofs. These were actually put there as a temporary measure during construction and never taken down later.
Those who have the time and like to visit churches should plan a visit. There are said to be some beautiful paintings hanging here and the organ from 1939/40 is said to be quite impressive.
In the church there is the Empress Elisabeth Memorial Chapel (Sisi). It was built in memory of Empress Elisabeth, who was murdered by the Italian anarchist Luigi Lucheni in September 1898. The chapel is decorated with beautiful mosaics and is said to be one of the most important Art Nouveau monuments in Vienna. The chapel’s furnishings were financed by donations.
Address:
Mexikoplatz
1020 Wien, Österreich
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