See The Gothic Architecture At Maria am Gestade Church In Vienna

The Catholic Church Maria am Gestade, aka Mary at the Shore, is an interesting Gothic church to visit in Vienna. This church was a short walk from Judenplatz, and the Gothic features wowed me.

The Catholic Church Maria am Gestade is one of the oldest examples of Gothic architecture in the city.

Traditionally, the church was used by the sailors from the River Danube, hence its name. They started construction in 1394 and completed the building in 1414. They consecrated it in the same year.

Maria am Gestade Church Building, Vienna

From the outside, the Gothic architecture is pleasant to see and walk around. Tall buildings surround the church. However, the steps leading to the entrance are a good place to see the exterior features. One of the standout features of the building is its 56-metre-tall tower.

What To See Inside Maria am Gestade Church

Once I finished enjoying the architecture, I went inside to see some great features. Visiting here is one of many free things to do in Vienna and is well worth the walk from the central areas.

Gothic Nave

The inside of the church is quite narrow compared to other churches I’ve visited. The nave is stunning, with views of the high altar and lots of Gothic features on the walls. This church seemed to attract more visitors; however, it wasn’t crowded. Interestingly, the nave has a slight bend due to where the Danube once flowed in the area.

High Altar

The Gothic altar of the church is decorative, and it’s in an alcove with some pretty stained glass.

Pulpit

The pulpit is a Gothic Revival structure that they installed in 1820. This was during the church’s renovation, which aimed to restore its medieval appearance.

Information

The church is free to enter, and I found it quite quiet. The best way to find it is to use Google Maps, which also has up-to-date opening times. You can also find out how to attend services on their website.