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The pledge
An emperor pledged the church in 1713, a year after the last big plague
In 1713, one year after the last major plague epidemic in Vienna, Emperor Charles VI pledged to build a church dedicated to his namesake patron saint, Charles Borromeo, who was revered as a healer for plague sufferers.
Two Fischers
Fischer von Erlach won the contest and his son finished the church in 1737
Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach won an architectural competition over rivals including Ferdinando Galli-Bibiena and Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. Construction began in 1716. His son, Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach, completed it in 1737 with modifications to the original plans.
The front
The front mixes a Greek temple portico with columns from Rome
The central facade corresponds to a Greek temple portico. The two flanking columns, crafted by Lorenzo Mattielli, were inspired by Trajan's Column in Rome. Two tower pavilions show the influence of the Roman baroque, of Bernini and Borromini.
The dome
The dome fresco shows Charles Borromeo supported by the Virgin Mary
The dome fresco by Johann Michael Rottmayr of Salzburg and Gaetano Fanti displays an intercession of Charles Borromeo, supported by the Virgin Mary. The columns carry spiral reliefs of scenes from the life of Charles Borromeo.
Vivaldi
Vivaldi was buried beside the church, and the grave has been lost
Adjacent to the church was the Spitaler Gottesacker cemetery. Antonio Vivaldi was buried there on July 28, 1741, but his grave has been lost over time. The church hosts regular Vivaldi concerts in his honour.
Day 5, afternoon
It comes after Naschmarkt. Then An Advent concert in the old center.
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The words are a retelling of the Wikipedia article Karlskirche, and are shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. They are checked against those articles, and a fact that is not in them is left out.