Votivkirche Vienna is a neo-Gothic church on the Ringstraße, beside the University of Vienna. Its history and architectural details make it a rewarding stop to combine with a walk through the green spaces around the church; the site is about 1.3 km from a Vienna residence.
- Location: Ringstraße, beside the University of Vienna.
- Church: A neo-Gothic landmark and Vienna’s second tallest church.
- Park: The grounds around the church include Votivpark and Sigmund-Freud-Park.
- Visitor access: Check current access and tour arrangements with the church before planning around them.
Reaching Votivkirche from Alser Straße
Alser Straße station is one minute on foot from Hotel City Residence, while Votivkirche is about 1.3 km from the hotel.
Those facts offer a starting point for planning, but do not establish a particular route or journey time between the station and the church. For public transport details around Alser Straße, consult this guide to getting around Vienna from Alser Straße.
Votivkirche stands beside the University of Vienna on the Ringstraße, so the church and its surrounding parks can be treated as one area to visit. A broader sightseeing day can include the church as part of a route through central Vienna.
What to notice inside and outside
Votivkirche’s neo-Gothic exterior is the first part of its story: the church was built from 1855 to 1879, following an assassination attempt on Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1853. Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian initiated the project, and architect Heinrich von Ferstel designed the church.
The church was consecrated in 1879 after 23 years of construction, in time for the imperial couple’s silver wedding anniversary. Vienna’s tourism board describes it as the city’s second tallest church. At the main portal, look for figures of biblical priests, prophets and apostles.
Inside, the Antwerp Altar is one of the church’s significant artworks. Vienna’s tourism board describes it as one of the most important examples of its kind. The contrast between the elaborate exterior and the interior artwork gives the visit two distinct architectural and artistic points of focus.
Opening times and visitor access
Opening times and visitor access can vary, so check the official site before you go. Church access can be separate from a guided tour, and tour schedules or fees can change; confirm the details directly with Votivkirche if a tour is part of your plan.
Opening hours
- Tuesday to Friday: 10:00–16:00
- Saturday: 11:00–19:00
- Sunday: 9:00–13:00
- Monday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
For a self-guided visit, take time to look at the main portal and the Antwerp Altar, while keeping in mind that access inside a church may depend on its current arrangements.
The church’s location beside the University of Vienna makes it straightforward to include the exterior in a walk around this part of the Ringstraße even if you are not planning an interior visit.
Votivpark and the surrounding Ringstraße
Votivpark and Sigmund-Freud-Park are the green areas around and in front of Votivkirche. The city says these grounds were laid out in the 1870s after the church was built. The areas facing the Ring are named Sigmund-Freud-Park, while the city calls the park areas around the church Votivpark.
The grounds around Votivkirche took the name Votivpark in 1984. Together, Sigmund-Freud-Park and Votivpark cover around 31,238 square metres. Their layout was altered significantly in 1961, when an underground garage and the Schottentor passage were built.
There is a park-use detail worth knowing if you are visiting with a dog: dogs are prohibited in Sigmund-Freud-Park, while the city says there is no dog ban in Votivpark. For context on the streets and districts around the church, this guide to Alsergrund and Josefstadt covers the wider neighbourhood.
Combining the visit with central Vienna
Votivkirche’s Ringstraße setting makes the church and its parks a natural stop to pair with a broader walk through central Vienna. Start with the exterior and main portal, continue inside if access allows, then spend time in the park grounds facing the Ring.
The church’s position beside the University of Vienna gives the visit a clear geographical anchor. A one-day Vienna route from Alser Straße to the old town offers a broader sightseeing itinerary.
For a compact visit, focus on the portal, the church’s neo-Gothic exterior and the Antwerp Altar if the interior is open. If you have more time, add a pause in Votivpark or Sigmund-Freud-Park before continuing along the Ringstraße. Check current church access before setting your schedule.
FAQs
Where is Votivkirche in Vienna?
Votivkirche stands on Vienna’s Ringstraße beside the University of Vienna. The green grounds around and in front of the church include Votivpark and Sigmund-Freud-Park.
What is Votivkirche known for?
It is a neo-Gothic church, notable for its main portal figures and the Antwerp Altar. It was built to commemorate Emperor Franz Joseph I’s survival of an assassination attempt.
Is Votivpark the same as Sigmund-Freud-Park?
They are distinct named areas around Votivkirche. The city uses Votivpark for the grounds around the church and Sigmund-Freud-Park for the grounds facing the Ring.
Can you visit inside Votivkirche?
Visitor access and opening times should be confirmed with the church before you go. Guided tours have separate arrangements, so check their current details directly as well.