Light of Creation in the Votivkirche
A 30-minute light-and-sound show in six acts inside the neo-Gothic Votivkirche, with an original orchestral score and seats in the nave.
See dates ↗The church
Why see the Votivkirche lit this way
A church built as a thank-offering
On 18 February 1853 a tailor by trade attacked Emperor Franz Joseph with a knife, and the Emperor survived. His brother called for donations to build a church in thanks, and the parish says about 300,000 citizens gave.
Gothic stone as the screen
Heinrich von Ferstel, then 26, won a competition of 75 entries with a neo-Gothic design on the French cathedral model. The organiser says modern projection technology works that architecture into the show.
Thirty minutes, six acts
The organiser describes six acts inspired by Genesis, with an original orchestral score by Adam Lukas, and says the show is made to be open to anyone, whatever their age, religion or prior knowledge.
The evening, in six frames
The evening, in six frames
The organiser does not publish titles for the six acts, so this follows the visit instead: the doors, the nave, the stages of creation, the score and the way out.
Start times depend on the date you choose; the show itself runs around half an hour.
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The doors
Rooseveltplatz
The organiser gives the venue as the Votivkirche, Rooseveltplatz, 1090 Vienna. Exchange your voucher at the ticket office at the church; the booking page asks for no later than 15 minutes before the show and says admission closes five minutes before it starts.
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The nave
A seat in the dark
The organiser says seating is provided in the church. The nave is tall, built of stone, unheated in winter and without a restroom, so dress for the season and visit one before you arrive.
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First light
Light and the waters
The organiser's own account of the opening stages is the emergence of light and the separation of water. The visuals are by MP-STUDIO under Marin Petkov, fitted to the neo-Gothic architecture.
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Land and life
From earth to abundance
The later stages run to the formation of land and the blossoming of life. Visitors mention projected animals among the imagery, and some found them less to their taste.
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The score
Orchestral, written for the show
Adam Lukas composed the score, which press coverage describes as moving from ethereal and meditative to powerful and festive, from the Big Bang to the emergence of life.
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Afterwards
Back out onto the Ring
The show lasts about 30 minutes. The organiser says photos before and after are fine, and the church stands on the Ringstrasse with a park around it, so the evening continues outside.
The building
The church in four facts
The Votivkirche is a parish church first. The parish's own history and two encyclopedia articles give these four facts.
- Built 1856–1879
- Construction began in 1856 and took 23 years. The church was consecrated on 24 April 1879, the silver wedding anniversary of Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
- 75 designs, one winner
- A competition announced in April 1854 drew 75 entries from the Austrian lands, the German states, England and France. Heinrich von Ferstel, then 26, won.
- 99 metres
- The twin towers reached 99 metres in 1868, according to German Wikipedia, which ranks the church second in Vienna after St. Stephen's Cathedral.
- Rebuilt after the war
- The church was badly damaged in the Second World War, and many of its original 78 windows were lost. A restoration of about 25 years ended in November 2023.
Inside and around
The church in pictures
The nave, the high altar, the vault, the choir ceiling, the church from its park, the main portal, the Salm tomb and a print from about 1900.
Church evenings to compare
Three church evenings in Vienna
| Evening | What it offers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Light of Creation in the Votivkirche | A 30-minute light-and-sound show in six acts inside the neo-Gothic Votivkirche, with an original orchestral score and seats in the nave. | Travellers who want the building, the light and a short evening. |
| Classical concert at St. Stephen's Cathedral | A concert in the Gothic cathedral on Stephansplatz, running one to one and a half hours, with options such as Mozart or Bach and an organ-concert option. Seats are assigned by category. | Listeners who want live classical music in a large Gothic cathedral. |
| Capuchin Church concert | A string quartet, the Emperor Quartet Vienna, playing Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and others in the church above the Habsburg Imperial Crypt. The church is heated. | Chamber-music listeners who want a small ensemble in a warm room. |
Evenings in Vienna's churches
Book a Vienna church evening
The first card opens the Light of Creation show. The other two are church concerts, for travellers who would rather hear live musicians than watch projection. More Vienna bookings are listed in the strip underneath.
Classical concert at St. Stephen's Cathedral
A concert in the Gothic cathedral on Stephansplatz, running one to one and a half hours, with options such as Mozart or Bach and an organ-concert option. Seats are assigned by category.
See dates ↗Capuchin Church concert
A string quartet, the Emperor Quartet Vienna, playing Mozart, Haydn, Schubert and others in the church above the Habsburg Imperial Crypt. The church is heated.
See dates ↗More to book in Vienna
Plan the evening
Plan the evening
- Finding the church
- The show is in the Votivkirche on Rooseveltplatz, 1090 Vienna, on the Ringstrasse beside a park. The ticket office is at the venue. Schottentor, beside the University of Vienna's main building, is the nearest large transport interchange.
- Before the show
- On the GetYourGuide ticket, admission opens 30 minutes before the show and closes five minutes before it, and the voucher must be exchanged at the ticket office no later than 15 minutes before. There is no restroom.
- Seats
- The organiser says seating is provided in the church. The booking calendar lists what is on offer for your date, so read each option before you choose.
- What to wear
- The church is not air-conditioned and is unheated in winter, and it can be hot in summer. The organiser recommends comfortable clothing suited to sitting in a historic building.
- Children and access
- Children from six are welcome with their own reduced ticket; under-sixes and babies are not admitted. The booking page lists epilepsy and visual impairment as unsuitable, and its wheelchair information conflicts, so ask the organiser first.
- Photos and phones
- The organiser allows photos and video during the show without flash or extra lighting, and the booking page lists flash photography as not allowed. A phone screen is bright in a dark nave, so watching is kinder.
The show, the church and the Ring: guides
The show, the church and the Ring: guides
Which date, and how to book Light of Creation: booking
How to book Light of Creation in Vienna's Votivkirche: what the ticket covers, how to choose a date, what the church is like and who should give it a miss.
Read the guide →
Getting there and what to bring Votivkirche show: practical
The Votivkirche light show in practice: where the church is, arrival, seating, heat and cold, children, access, photos and who should skip it.
Read the guide →FAQ
Questions before booking
How long is Light of Creation?
Roughly half an hour; the calendar lists the start time for each date.
Where is it held?
Inside the Votivkirche on Rooseveltplatz, 1090 Vienna. The ticket office is at the church.
How early should I arrive?
Admission opens 30 minutes before the show, and the voucher must be exchanged at least 15 minutes before it starts. Admission closes five minutes before the start.
Can children come?
Children from six can, each with their own reduced ticket. Children under six and babies are not admitted.
Is it cold or hot in the church?
Both are possible. The church is not air-conditioned and is unheated in winter, and it can be hot in summer.
Can I take photos?
The organiser allows photos and video during the show without flash or extra lighting, while the booking page lists flash photography as not allowed. Watching is kinder in a dark room.
Is it wheelchair accessible?
The information conflicts: the booking page carries a wheelchair-accessible label and also a note that wheelchair users are not suited, while the organiser says the church is accessible. Contact the organiser before booking.
Is it a religious service?
No. It is a light-and-sound show held in a church, and the organiser says it was made to respect the sacred character of the room.
Can I cancel?
Yes. Cancel through GetYourGuide at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund; the booking page also allows reserving now and paying later.
A 30-minute light-and-sound show projected inside Vienna's neo-Gothic Votivkirche, explained by an independent guide.
Book Light of Creation ↗Prices are per adult in US dollars and convert to your own currency on the booking site.