VIENNA-DAY 4 Part 2

This trip took place June 2026.

I don’t think there could ever be a shortage of historical European Churches that I wouldn’t want to spend time in and photograph. They are so very different and each has their own personality, story and style.

Minoritekirche (English: Friars Minor Conventual Church, related to the monastic Order of Friars Minor Conventual monks), formally called Italienische Nationalkirche Maria Schnee (English: Italian National Church of Mary of the Snows, related to the Italian Congregation who was the owner of this church), was built in French Gothic style in the Altstadt or First District of Vienna, Austria.

The site on which the church is built was given to followers of Francis of Assisi in 1224. The foundation stone was laid by King Ottokar II of Bohemia in 1276. Duke Albrecht II later supported the building process, especially the main portal. The Gothic Ludwig choir was built between 1316 and 1328, and used as a mausoleum in the 14th and 15th centuries. Construction of the church was completed in 1350.

The top of its belltower was damaged during the first Austro-Turkish war, rebuilt, then again destroyed again during the second Austro-Turkish war; the top was then replaced by a flat roof.

Inside was so quiet and peaceful.

Mosaic of The Last Supper: Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper by Giacomo Raffaelli. There is a life-sized copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper on the church’s northern wall. It is a mosaic made by the Roman mosaic artist Giacomo Raffaelli, commissioned by Napoleon I in 1809, but still unfinished upon his abdication. Francis II of Austria bought it, wanting to install it in the Belvedere in Vienna. As it was too large for the building, it was donated by Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria to the Italian Congregation and set up on the north wall of the church, where it remains to this day. The mosaic is 9.18 x 4.47 m and weighs approximately 20 tons. You can gather the scale of this masterpiece by the lady standing in the lower left corner.

When I wonder I tend to just let my instincts take the lead. And this afternoon’s misguided adventure didn’t disappoint. As ia had commented earlier or in my last post Cafe Central was closed for repiars but I still stumbled upon it. It’s just to the right of this gorgeous large set of old wood doors. The windows were blocked off and all the furniture had been removed. So ill be interested in seeing how its transformed the next time we are able to visit Wein.

Continuing on my way back to the hotel, I stumbled on to this old church nestled between the modern buildings of Vienna.

Maria am Gestade  (Mary at the Riverbank) This is one of Vienna’s oldest churches and a rare example of pure Gothic architecture. It was originally the church for boatmen on the Danube River.

It is said that there was a wooden church at this place in the 9th century, although this has been disputed,[2] which served as a place of worship for fishermen and sailors. The church is first mentioned in documents from 1158. The present building was built between 1394 and 1414 in gothic style. The first reference occurs in 1137, indirectly, and more explicitly in 1200.

Porticos: The church has three porticos that are decorated with reliefs and figures. The choir door shows a Virgin of Mercy and a Coronation of the Virgin, both dating from around 1350, as deduced from during the Middle Portal which has realistic depictions of angels playing musical instruments.

On the main portal on the west facade, canopies crown reliefs of the two Saint Johns (Baptist and Evangelist) from about 1410, in a style also seen at Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral and a range of sculptures and mosaic decoration, which date from the 20th century.

What a quiet, peaceful and stunning church to get to spend some time of reflection in.

One thing we both really love about Europe is its rich history and one of the traditions we try to maintain is to find a bar, pub or eating establishment with the oldest history.

I had researched this place before we departed on our trip but with evening events at conferences I wasn’t sure when we would have time.

In a crazy wandering fashion, I stumble upon accidentally while I was looking for cool places to to take pictures.

Griechensbiel History  The ‘Griechenbeisl’ has been serving guests for 550 years. It has gone by many names, from the ‘Gasthaus zum gelben Adler’ to the ‘ Gasthaus zum goldenen Engel’. After Greek traders settled in the area, the inn received the Viennese name ‘Beisl’. Today guests can enjoy the delightful music of a zither player in the same room as the famous ‘Der liebe Augustin’ sang and performed with his bagpipe in the 17th century. Every Viennese child knows the songs and stories about ‘Der liebe Augustin’ who fell into a plaque pit while intoxicated with alcohol, and yet survived.

At the entrance of the ‘Griechenbeisl’ you can find “the plague pit”, a reminder of this legendary incident. For many centuries the ‘Griechenbeisl’ was a meeting place for artists, scholars and politicians many of whom are immortalized by their signatures on the walls the famous ‘Mark Twain Room’. In this room you will find signatures from the likes of Karl Lueger, Graf Bismarck, Egon Schiele or Johnny Weissmüller.

The ground floor consists of 5 guest rooms (Rundes Zimmer, Zitherstüberl, Karlsbader and Mark Twain room). On the 1st floor are 3 more guest rooms (Jagdzimmer, Kerzenzimmer and Biedermeier room). All rooms are available for private bookings.

The kitchen serves traditional Viennese cuisine with classics such as Wiener Schnitzel or Roastbraten. We serve you seasonal delicacies such as game meat from Waldviertel or our wonderfully delicious Kaiserschmarrn dessert. We also have a selection of delightful Vegetarian dishes.

We will be back here later to enjoy a traditional Viennese dinner but for now its on to part three of our day.