Vienna - Teutonic Order House and Church
The Teutonic Order was called to Vienna by Duke Leopold VI at the beginning of the 13th C. The Order started constructing its premises, which probably included a chapel, a little later. In the 14th C. the Gothic church dedicated to St Elisabeth was incorporated into the buildings. In 1667 Carlo Carlone erected a new building which included a church. Between 1720 and 1725 this building was given the appearance which it has kept to the present day.
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The architect was Anton Erhard Martinelli. In the Middle Ages the Teutonic Order was devoted to colonial and military activity ruling from the 12th C. large areas of what was later to be East Prussia; now it is a spiritual Order concerned with religious matters and also with service in hospitals and the care of the young and the old. Since 1923 the High Masters of the Order have always been priests of the Order.
The Deutschordenskirche was remodeled between 1720-22 to harmonize with the 14th C. Gothic work. It was restored in 1868 and 1947. The interior of the church is decorated with coats of arms and banners. Among the most precious objects are the Flemish reredos (1520) and the epitaph of Jobst Truchsess von Wetzhausen (1524).
The Deutschordenskirche was remodeled between 1720-22 to harmonize with the 14th C. Gothic work. It was restored in 1868 and 1947. The interior of the church is decorated with coats of arms and banners. Among the most precious objects are the Flemish reredos (1520) and the epitaph of Jobst Truchsess von Wetzhausen (1524).
Things to See
Treasury of the Teutonic Order
When Napoleon declared the Teutonic Order to be disbanded it moved its headquarters to Vienna where the treasure has been ever since, the result of the passion for collecting of several High Masters. The Treasury of the Order is in four rooms. In the first are Insignia of the Order and coins. The enthronement ring of High Master Hermann von Salza which is on show dates from the 13th C. The second room is dedicated to chalices and other Mass vessels from the 14th to the 16th C. together with cutlery made from exotic materials. The third room houses the art collection of High Master Archduke Maximilian III (1602-18): silver and gold reliefs, ornaments, Oriental parade arms, clocks and astronomical equipment, the fourth room contains miniatures, rosaries, precious glasses, armor and 15th C. panel paintings (open: May-Oct. Mon., Tue.-Sun. 10 a.m. - noon, Wed., Fri., Sat. 3 - 5 p.m.; Nov.-Apr. Mon., Thur., Sat. 10 a.m. - noon, Wed., Fri., Sat. 3- 5 p.m.).
The most important textile items in the museum are the embroidered vestments that were done for the Order of The Golden Fleece. They were created in the middle of the 15th C.
The most important textile items in the museum are the embroidered vestments that were done for the Order of The Golden Fleece. They were created in the middle of the 15th C.
