Architecture Analysis of Karlskirche St Charless Church in Vienna
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The idea of building this church was first announced in the year 1731 immediately after the last plague epidemic. By then, Charles VI was the emperor of the Roman State where he vowed to build a church for his namesake saint. The main reason behind this is that he adored him as the healer of the great plagues. Hence, an architectural competition was announced where different architectures pitched their ideas and designs for the prominent church. Johann Bernhard Fisher won the competition where the church construction started by the year 1716. Later, in 1723, his son Joseph Emmanuel Fisher took over the building of the church after his father died. Later, the church was completed in the year 1737 with altered plans as he tried to unite most diverse elements (Mobilereference, 2010).
The church was built in an honor of the patron saint who was the namesake to the Roman Emperor. This is because he adored him as the healer of the plague suffers. Deep down the history, it is at this time when the great plagues affected this great nation, and it required divine intervention. Secondly, the church would be a uniting factor for all people living in Roman as they would fellowship together in Rome (Firm, 2015). Again, the design of the church was unique which would inspire and influence other great buildings across the world years to come. It is evident that the uniqueness if the church made it a great tourist attraction for people travels from different places all over the world to g and worshiped there. Therefore, we can attest that the church has played an important role in shaping the religious beliefs and powers of a nation in the marking of the world religious events. Hence, the construction of the church had a great historical significance.
The church was built for and in honor of the namesake to the patron saint to the Charles VI. Back in the history as it has been recorded, the 1o plagues affected the people of Rome. Hence, the patron saint played a significant role in the healing of these diseases to the persons living in Rome (Screen, 2003). This came as a great test of the leadership of Charles VI where he required the help and intervention of his patron saint to deliver his people from this. Therefore, he built the church in honor and respect to his patron saint as he referred to him as the healer of the plague sufferers. Again, this church would play a major role in uniting the people living in this country as they would worship and fellowship together in unity. The competition to get the best design played a significant role as the final design proved to be unique, which is serves as an important historic site in Rome even in the world today. Therefore, we can attest that Charles VI played a significant role in shaping the history of Rome and the world in general (Sharpe, 1992). This is because the church serves as an excellent historical site in the world today especially to most religious people in the Roman Catholic Church.
Architecture Description of the Church
Johann Bernhard Fisher won the architectural competition for the construction of the church. However, his son completed the church when he died, however; the child altered some plans that were well laid by his father but for the better outcome of the church. The initial architect of the church tried to unite all the elements of the faith by ensuring diversity. The church posed a direct line in matters of sight from Hofburg as the architect attempted to combine most features. The facade n the center which provided a way to the porch is similar to Greek temple in the portico. Again, there were two neighboring columns which were crafted by Lorenzo Mattieli. Just next to them, there were two pavilion towers which extended to show the influence of the famous Roman baroque. Further, just above the entrance of the church, there was a designed high drum which was finally altered and shortened by the time when the church was fully committed. Below are some of the pictures of the church
Architectural Analysis of the Church
Viennese Baroque which normally refers to towers of the church and the dome that rises approximately 236 feet serves as a major landmark in the entire Viennese in the skyline (Malone & Wilson, 2014). It is quite clear that the design of the church has never and was never imitated in any other pace in the world. Most people consider this as architectural curiosity. Further, it gives a great magical sight especially when it is illuminated at night. The great columns of a facade are quite an interesting feature as it has a baroque at the top of the building. Most historians believe that it directly depicts the major scenes in the entire life of St. Charles Barromeo.
Further, the exterior of the church is more convectional than the outside which is mainly manipulated by Baroque decorations. Finally, the vault frescoes clearly illustrate St. Charles begging and requesting the Holy Trinity to end the plagues which affected the city of Vienna.
The interesting bit about the church is the fact that the best design was picked out of the massive competition that was announced by the emperor then. This shows that talent existed fro then which was passed from one generation to the other. This is evident as when the original architect died, the son took over to complete the church. However, he altered part of the design f the church in order to fit into the needs of the church at that time (Sewel & Dwight, 2009). The church shows how the best of the best can be used in coming up with unique buildings in honor of the patron saint who helped to heal the plagues which affected the people. The magnificent view is quite fascinating and people travel from different countries all over the world to see it especially at the night when it is illuminated by the light from the skies. Basically, this is just awesome and magnificent. This attracts a lot of tourists from different parts of the world especially most believers of the Roman Catholic Church across the globe.
The interesting bit about the church is the fact that it was the emperor himself requested for the design of the church in honor of his patron saint as he adored him for his great mercies and help in healing the great plagues which affected his people. Secondly, it is also interesting that the son of the original architect comfortably took over the construction of the church when his father died. This is a clear indication that talent and knowledge was passed from one generation to the other in the old days and people really respected that. Further, the church was built from the best of the best in honor of God and the patron Saint. The Gold piece above is a clear indication as illustrated below:
Additionally, people travel from different countries across the globe to come and worship and view this magnificent church. This is a great historical site from the 17th century that exhibits true cultural diversity and talent of the people living in Rome. Again, it is a clear indication that people honored God by giving the best.
The church is unique by the fact that its design has never ever been imitated in any other place across the world. Most people are mostly curious and interested in just learning and studying how this building was designed and built. However, a number of alterations and modifications continue to be made in order to fit into the daily needs of the church day in and day out.
In conclusion, the baroque style has influenced and affected the architecture nowadays in various ways. To start with, the design itself acts as an inspiration and challenge to all upcoming architects all over the world as they take their time to study all aspects of the building and how they all affect the final outcome of the building. Though the design has never been imitated anywhere in the world, most people view it as a source of inspiration to come up with something more better and challenging as they try to fit into the latest and convenient needs in matters of buildings in the world today. The magnificent view of this structure especially at night and the inner parts of the building has been consequently renovated to meet the needs of the church today. Most people continue to design more and better buildings as they draw their inspiration from the building of this church. This acts as a great reference of the architecture in the 17th century as most people in the field of architecture base their research projects in this great building. Therefore, we can conclude that this building has played an important role in shaping the world of architecture deep down the history.
References
MALONE, B. I. L. L. C., & WILSON, C. H. A. R. L. E. S. R. E. A. G. A. N. (2014). The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture: Volume 12: Music. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press.
MobileReference, . (2010). Vienna Sights: A Travel Guide to the Top 25 Attractions in Vienna, Austria. Boston: MobileReference.com.
Screen, E. (March 01, 2003). The importance of the emperor: Lothar I and the Frankish civil war, 840-843. Early Medieval Europe, 12, 1, 25-51.
SEWELL, G. E. O. R. G. E. A., & DWIGHT, M. A. R. G. A. R. E. T. L. (2009). Mississippi Black History Makers. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
Sharpe, K. (1992). The personal rule of Charles I. New Haven: Yale University Press.
TravelVideoStore.com (Firm),. (2015). Touring the World's Capital Cities: 102.
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