Karlskirche shines in new splendor after 20 years of renovation!

Karlskirche shines in new splendor after 20 years of renovation!

The Karlskirche, a shining Baroque jewel in Vienna, recently experienced another significant step in its ongoing renewal. After almost three centuries since it was built on behalf of Emperor Charles VI. The recently restored Imperial Oratory can be admired by visitors again. The most comprehensive work was successfully completed at the end of October 2025. This was preceded by over twenty years of continuous renovation work in the church, ranging from minor repairs to large-scale restorations.

Manuela Fritz, the responsible restorer, led a team of ten who took on the challenges of the renovation. Surprisingly, the condition of the oratorio turned out to be worse than it had originally been estimated. Discolored surfaces, a shellac-coated facade and hidden original baroque gilding were waiting to be carefully restored. The experts had to remove many layers without damaging the underlying material. In addition, significant damage to the base area was visible, which made it necessary to rebuild the stucco.

Partial successes in restoration

The result of the careful work is particularly impressive: after nine months of intensive detailed work, the room now shines back to almost its original splendor. 80 percent of the original baroque gilding could be restored, while only 20 percent had to be re-gilded. The total costs for the restoration measures amounted to 350,000 euros, financed by the income from the entrance fees. The restoration itself took place in close collaboration with the Federal Monument Office, whose core task is the care of our cultural heritage.

The Imperial Oratory is not the only construction site in the Karlskirche. A further restoration of the Empress Oratory opposite is already in the starting blocks. In addition, work on the eastern triumphal column is planned for March 2026, with costs estimated at 1.8 to 2 million euros. This renovation is expected to take about a year and will be accompanied by lively discussions about the future of the monument.

The future of the Karlskirche

Cleaning and preservation of the entire interior is also planned for 2026, which will take place during ongoing operations. There are also plans to renovate the exterior facade, although specific details are still missing. An improvement that will benefit visitors is also coming: there will soon be WiFi in the Karlskirche to enable the download of audio guides.

To visit the Imperial Oratory, advance reservation is required. Access is included in the regular ticket price. Those interested can find additional information on the official website of the Karlskirche.