On the Augustinerkirche, which borders directly on the Hofburg, thousands of people pass daily. Hardly anyone knows what is kept behind a grid in the Loretokapelle. There are 54 differently designed urns, and in each one lies the heart of a Habsburger.
The beginning was made by King Ferdinand IV, who decreed in 1654 that his heart should be buried here. A day after his death it was brought to the church in the evening, and many of his descendants followed this custom. The last heart came here in 1878, from Archduke Franz Karl, the father of Emperor Franz Joseph. The chapel itself has a turbulent history. It was founded in 1627 by Empress Eleonora Gonzaga, in 1784 it was demolished and refurbished in its present place.
- Opening hours:
- Visit only with guided tour, on Sundays and public holidays following the High Office, on weekdays on request by e-mail to pfarre@augustinerkirche.at
- Address:
- Augustinerkirche, Augustinerstraße 3, 1010 Vienna
- Website:
- Heart tortoise (opens in new window)
- Price range:
- €
Opening hours:
Address:
Website:
Price range:
