AUSTRIA Votive Church

The Votive Church, a neo-Gothic building on the Ringstrasse was built in gratitude for a failed attempt to assassinate Emperor Franz Joseph; the construction began at the initiative of the Emperor’s brother Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian (the future Emperor of Mexico). It was consecrated on 24 April 1879, on the day of the silver anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth. The Votive Church was also called the Ringstrasse Cathedral due to its location on the Ringstrasse. The church also houses a museum with the most outstanding exhibition piece – the Antwerp Altar, which is said to be the most important surviving artwork of its genre. Holy Mass is held here every Sunday in several languages at 11.15 AM.