up close with new frescoes in Karlskirche

Karlskirche is a stunning church just outside the Inner Ring in Vienna. From the outside, it is a mixture between a small St Paul's, and a mosque. The whole building is shiny white and the Roman entry pediment separates two amazingly scuptured minarets.

Inside, it is a Baroque explosion and the subtle surprise is a slim glass lift at the rear of the church which carries visitors up to a platform at the base of the dome - presumably it also gives access to the team of painters who are spending 4 years reconstructing the original frescoes, originally painted by Johann Michael Rottmayr over 225 years ago. It is a real treat to be able to ascend beyond the large organ and spectacular altar.

It feels quite precarious to walk out on platforms in the scaffolding, to see a spiral staircase taking you up through the middle of the dome. We were able to see glimpses of a beautiful blue sky just on sunset through the arched windows.

Then we gingerly walked up the steep scaffolding steps with a full 360' experience of larger than life full colour religious experiences. Proportions were elongated and emphasised and the cherubs at the absolute top were soooo chuby, even for well rounded cherubs! We were rewarded at the very top of more views of Vienna at sunset, as we peered through the arches of the pinnacle turret - it was truly magical.