Scots Church

Scots Church, or Schottenkirche, stands on Freyung Square in Vienna’s first district, beside the Schottenstift monastery. Its beginnings date to the 12th century, when Irish monks founded the monastery; “Scots” was then used for people from Ireland. Much of the church was rebuilt in the 17th century, giving the interior its Baroque character. Look for the frescoed ceiling, decorated chapels and older architectural details within the later design. The church is a quieter stop for a closer look at Vienna’s religious art and history.

A church shaped by several centuries

The Schottenkirche is connected to the Schottenstift, the monastery founded on this site by Irish monks in the 12th century. The name can be confusing today: “Scots” referred to people from Ireland in the church’s early history.

The first church dates to the 12th century. It was damaged and rebuilt, and much of the building seen today comes from work in the 17th century. The church therefore brings together details from different periods, including a surviving part of the original Romanesque structure.

Baroque details inside

The exterior is comparatively restrained beside the richly decorated interior. Inside, look up to the painted ceiling and take time to notice the chapels and wall paintings. The church’s Baroque character comes from its later rebuilding, while older elements recall its earlier history.

Access to the main nave is limited outside services. When the doors are closed, the interior can still be glimpsed through the gates. The church bells mark each hour, adding another detail to a visit on Freyung Square.