It was super hot when I registered for this Instawalk by the IgersAustria – and visiting the “cold rooms” of the University of Music seemed like a dream. And then there was something about visiting the St. Ursula Church as well – until then I didn´t even know there is one in Vienna. And whenever something bears my name, I have to visit it! And even so, the heatwave is on a break at the moment it´s always nice to get to know new places and “cool rooms”.
From 1666 to 1745 the cloister was built with several yards and spacious buildings. The nuns came to Vienna in 1660 on an invitation of the empress Eleonore and opened a school. The adjoining church was built from 1673 to 1675.
Filled with baroque elements, stucco and some stunning chandeliers. Even so, the convent building was sold to the Republic of Austria in 1960 the church is still in use as a church. But also as a classroom and concert location. Organist Hans Haselböck saw the nuns moving out (to Liesing where their school still exists) and convinced the rector of the University of Music to use the buildings and the church as their Institut of organ music and ecclesiastical music.
A new organ was installed and the rooms adapted for their new use. Do you recognize the city on the painting on the right? It´s a portrait of Vienna!
Our walk had started with a little organ concert by one of the students and after visiting the catacombs and the church we went back to another room and another organ – number 5 by now. It´s the most modern one, built in Vorarlberg with about a thousand pipes.
Big thank you to the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst and the Igersaustria.at!
