The Jesuit Church

This square may be small, but its beautiful church and the stunning Academy of Sciences leave quite the impression! The baroque church before you is the Jesuiten Kirch, Vienna’s Jesuit Church. Built in 1627, it was modelled after the Gesù Church in Rome. Go ahead and step inside, you’ll be amazed by its incredible trompe-l’oeil dome. The interior is much lighter and softer than most classic churches, transporting you into a delicate, pastel-coloured world. As for the Academy of Sciences, it was established in 1847 by King Ferdinand I, who wanted to match the grandeur of London’s Royal Society. Its mission is to support the advancement of science and research. In 1857, the Academy moved into the former University of Vienna, built at the end of the previous century. The building also houses a magnificent hall, that was one of Vienna’s major concert venues in the 19th century. Beethoven himself used to conduct the orchestra here!