Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church)
The Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church) also known as University Church is a two floor church located in the heart of Vienna a minute walk from the famous Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Church). Despite its relatively austere interior in compare to other most popular churches in Vienna, the Jesuitenkirche is worth visiting for its spectacular interior widely considered one of the most elaborate Baroque interiors in Europe.
The Jesuit Church was built in 1627 on the site of an earlier chapel but it was remodeled by Italian Jesuit Brother, Baroque painter and architect Andrea Pozzo between 1703 and 1705. The church dedicated to Saints Ignatius Loyola and Francis Xavier was added twin tower and present day facade in early Baroque style marked by narrow vertical and horizontal sections. The Jesuitenkirche was at the time rededicated to the Assumption of Mary.
Andrea Pozzo also redecorated the interior of the church transforming into one of the finest examples of trompe l’œil painting by creating an amazing illusion of a dome on a flat part of the ceiling.