Classical concerts in the Minorite Church - Schedule, Program & Tickets

The Minorite Church is not only home to the Italian community in Vienna, but also one of the oldest and artistically most valuable churches in Vienna. It is located directly behind the Hofbug in Vienna's 1st district and the 14th-century building is easily recognizable from afar by the distinctive gabled roof and the church tower, which somehow seems to be missing the top. After the church tower was destroyed the second time during the Turkish sieges, the broken helmet roof was simply replaced with a flat roof.

The Minorite Church, which particularly impresses with its great acoustics, is not only a home of the Italian parish, but also a focal point for all art and classical music fans. Of the regular concerts, particularly noteworthy are performances of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Mozart's Requiem, his most striking late 18th-century masterpiece, performed by the Mozart Boys' Choir. Vivaldi was never able to gain a foothold in Vienna, was probably never really happy here and died impoverished. At that time he was denied the appropriate attention, but today the regular performances of his four seasons in the Minoritenkirche have become an integral part of the concert scene in the city of Vienna.

Another regular guest at the Minoritenkirche is, of course, the Wiener KammerOrchester, one of the leading chamber orchestras in the world since its foundation in 1946, continuing an old tradition of playing in one of Vienna's most venerable and impressive churches. Annual highlights are the renowned concerts at Christmas and the New Year's concerts, which take place throughout the month of December and into January.

Not only the music there will transport you to another time, but also the many important church art treasures. On the north side of the building is an impressive mosaic by Italian artist Giacomo Raffaelli, a replica of Leonardo da Vinci's famous wall fresco. However, it does not need Swiss guards to protect it from thieves because it weighs 20 tons.

The neo-Gothic glass windows above the organ transform the incoming sunlight into a sacred, yet colorful and life-affirming, baroque glow. The organ itself is one of the proudest of late baroque Viennese organ building. It was built in 1786 using even older pipes from a previous organ. It is still almost in its original condition but is now waiting for a loving restoration and is unfortunately unplayable in its current condition.

If you not only want to hear classical music in an authentic ambience, but also want to experience it, then a visit to the Minorite Church is a must during your stay in Vienna.


Subject to change.