
Maria am Gestade (Mary at the Shore), Vienna
Maria am Gestade (Mary at the Shore) stands as a venerable Gothic church within Vienna. It ranks among the city's oldest religious edifices, sharing this distinction with Saint Peter's Church and Saint Rupert's Church. Additionally, it represents a rare surviving specimen of Gothic architectural style. Situated in Vienna's Innere Stadt, specifically at Salvatorgasse 12, in proximity to the Donaukanal, this church traditionally served the needs of Danube river sailors. Its name harkens back to its original location on the Fluvial terrace of a Danube river branch prior to regulation efforts.
The church's most prominent feature is its towering open-work structure, rising to a height of 56 meters (about 180 feet). This Gothic marvel was constructed between 1419 and 1428, featuring intricate scroll-work. Its distinct appearance can be discerned from afar and is depicted in the earliest depictions of the city. The choir, whose construction commenced in 1330, contains two splendid examples of high Gothic panels. The church's medieval stained glass windows remain, with the nave's narrower design influenced by the Danube's course. Construction began in 1400, attributed to Duke Albrecht III.
Maria am Gestade boasts three porticoes adorned with reliefs and sculptures. The choir door exhibits depictions of the Virgin of Mercy and the Coronation of the Virgin, both dating back to around 1350. These can be observed on the Middle Portal, which features realistic representations of angels playing musical instruments. The main portal on the west facade features canopies with reliefs of Saint Johns (Baptist and Evangelist) from around 1410, reminiscent of Prague's Saint Vitus Cathedral. Additionally, the church has 20th-century sculptures and mosaic decorations.
The church's most prominent feature is its towering open-work structure, rising to a height of 56 meters (about 180 feet). This Gothic marvel was constructed between 1419 and 1428, featuring intricate scroll-work. Its distinct appearance can be discerned from afar and is depicted in the earliest depictions of the city. The choir, whose construction commenced in 1330, contains two splendid examples of high Gothic panels. The church's medieval stained glass windows remain, with the nave's narrower design influenced by the Danube's course. Construction began in 1400, attributed to Duke Albrecht III.
Maria am Gestade boasts three porticoes adorned with reliefs and sculptures. The choir door exhibits depictions of the Virgin of Mercy and the Coronation of the Virgin, both dating back to around 1350. These can be observed on the Middle Portal, which features realistic representations of angels playing musical instruments. The main portal on the west facade features canopies with reliefs of Saint Johns (Baptist and Evangelist) from around 1410, reminiscent of Prague's Saint Vitus Cathedral. Additionally, the church has 20th-century sculptures and mosaic decorations.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Maria am Gestade (Mary at the Shore) on Map
Sight Name: Maria am Gestade (Mary at the Shore)
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria
Create Your Own Walk in Vienna
Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Churches Walking Tour
"Vienna is the city of miracles and music" – Whoever said that must have emphasized Vienna's close association with the Christian faith. The intertwining of Christian heritage and artistry in the Austrian capital finds expression primarily in its magnificent churches.
Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Klimt Paintings Tour
"I have the gift of neither the spoken nor the written word, especially if I have to say something about myself or my work. Whoever wants to know something about me - as an artist, the only notable thing - ought to look carefully at my pictures" – Gustav Klimt.
Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Klimt's name is indelibly linked to Vienna. The renowned symbolist painter was a prominent figure in the city. As a... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Old Town Chocolate Stores
Vienna is famous for its love for sweet indulgence. And when it comes to chocolate, it stands tall among other locally-made mouth-watering confections.
Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.
Landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.
Landmark... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour II
If there are cities that flirt, Vienna is definitely the one. Here, even the buildings know how to do it.
Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn’t do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Around the turn of the 20th century, the Austrian capital caught the Art Nouveau fever and decided that straight lines, drab walls, and historical imitation simply wouldn’t do anymore. Instead, it took to ornamental swirls, flowing curves, floral flourishes, and enough decorative detail... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Vienna's Historical Music Venues
Austria is synonymous with classical music almost to the point of obsession, and to call Vienna the "Musical Capital of the World" would be hardly an exaggeration. Indeed, over the past centuries, the city served as the home and workplace for many great musicians like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Joseph Haydn, Franz Schubert, and others.
Among the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Among the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour I
Vienna’s flirtation with Art Nouveau—known locally as Jugendstil—unfolded in the late 19th, early 20th centuries. The so-called Vienna Secession movement, which emerged in 1897, was led by a group of rebellious artists and architects like Otto Wagner, Gustav Klimt, and Koloman Moser, who turned their backs on historicism in favor of bold, modern aesthetics. As the new language for buildings,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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