It's more than worthwhile to visit Karlsplatz, one of the largest squares in Vienna. Located just off the Ringstraße, this architectural goldmine has many wonderful attractions, including the stunning Baroque St. Charles Church (Karlskirche), Resselpark, and several historic buildings and iconic cultural sites, such as the Künstlerhaus, the Musikverein, the subway pavilion designed by Otto Wagner, the Secession building, and the Tilgner Fountain (Tilgner Brunnen) , which was created in 1902 to commemorate the sculptor Viktor Tilgner based on the original model from his home.
Recently, Vienna's municipality has taken steps to increase the vitality of the culture activities of Karlsplatz. Large, lively crowds come to experience the many art exhibitions and concerts held throughout the year.
The St. Charles Church (Karlskirche) was built by Emperor Charles VI. In 1713, Vienna was struck by the plague and the emperor vowed to build a large church as soon as the plague was over. The church is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. It is well known for many striking features, such as its majestic dome, the tall columns inspired by the Roman column of Trajan, and the breathtaking high altar.
The Wien Museum Karlsplatz was designed by the famous architect Oswald Haerdtl and opened in 1959. The Karlsplatz Museum includes many stunning 19th century exhibits, such as paintings by Gustav Klimt, Richard Gerstl and Arnold Schönberg.
The permanent exhibition extends over three levels, and includes unbelievable archaeological finds, perfectly preserved glass windows, and sculptures from St. Stephen's Cathedral. And there are tremendous works from the Baroque era and the Biedermeier period as well.