St Virgil’s Chapel – Reopening

The Virgil’s Chapel had to close its doors for visitors for some years due to conservatory reasons. The chapel at the metro station Stephansplatz will be reopened on December 12th 2015 after a long time of an extensive restoration. There is a new entrance for visitors that is can be reached from the metro passageway. There will be a large exhibition that shows Vienna during the Middle Age.

The Virgil’s Chapel is a fascinating sacred place that breathes Vienna’s history and that is a part of Vienna’s Middle Age triangle. In this triangle there is also the Romans Museum next to Virgil’s Chapel at Hohen Markt and the Neidhart Frescos at the Tuchlauben in the city centre.

Gothic Chapel

In 1973 the Virgil’s Chapel was discovered during the construction of the metro and was integrated in the metro station Stephansplatz. It is one of the best preserved Gothic interior spaces in whole Vienna and invites its visitors to explore the underground spaces. In 1220 it was used as the substructure of an Early Gothic chapel. In 1246 joint paintings and Greek crosses were added. Directly on top of Virgil’s Chapel the Maria-Magdalena Chapel was built.

In the 14th century the chapel and all its deep-set spaces were used for different purposes. The Virgil’s Chapel as it is nowadays was used as devotion chapel by a wealthy Viennese family. An altar for the Saint Virgil was added and this is how the chapel got its name. The above lying Maria-Magdalena chapel was a long time a funerary chapel. Its gallery provided space for meetings of the scriveners’ guild

Winter in Vienna

If you want to visit the recently renovated Virgil’s Chapel in Vienna at the metro station Stephansplatz and experience its Gothic architecture and historical beauty, you should not hesitate and spend your winter in the beautiful city of Vienna. Vienna has a lot to offer during the winter time.