The church was constructed between 1716 and 1737 on the Emperor’s solemn vow after the 1713 plague in Vienna, designed by Schönbrunn Palace architect Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and completed by his son Joseph. The huge elliptical copper dome reaches 72m; climb a level for a closer balcony view of the frescoes by Johann Michael Rottmayr, depicting God answering the saint’s prayers to end the plague. The panoramic terrace overlooks Karlsplatz with views of Stephansdom’s poking south spire.
The enormous twin columns at the front are modeled on Trajan’s Column in Rome and show scenes from the life of St Charles Borromeo (who helped plague victims in Italy), to whom the church is dedicated. The admission price covers the Museo Borromeo chapel and a small museum with a handful of religious art and clothing purportedly from the saint. The high altar panel shows the ascension of St Charles Borromeo. In front of the church is a pond, adorned by a Henry Moore sculpture (Hill Arches; 1973) installed in 1978.
