Dominikanerkirche (Dominican Church), Vienna

The Dominican Church, also known as the Church of Saint Maria Rotunda in German (Dominikanerkirche), stands as an early Baroque parish church and minor basilica located in Vienna, Austria's historic center. It's worth noting that this is the third church constructed on this very site over time.

The initial church was established in 1237 by the newly arrived Dominicans, following the land allocation in 1225-1226 by Duke Leopold VI. Between 1240 and 1270, the church underwent enlargement, including the addition of a new choir in 1273. Subsequently, a series of fires led to the construction of a new Gothic church between 1283 and 1302. Further expansion occurred between 1458 and 1474, resulting in a church with a nave consisting of five cross vaults and two aisles.

Unfortunately, the church endured significant damage during the first siege of Vienna by the Turkish army in 1529, resulting in the demolition of the choir and partial dismantling of the nave. Over the following years, the building gradually fell into disrepair.

Due to the Counter-Reformation's influence, a new church was built in Vienna in 1631, following a design by Jacopo Tencala. Master builders Spacio, Biasino, and Canevale introduced Italian Baroque style. Emperor Ferdinand II laid the first stone on May 29, 1631, and the church was consecrated on October 1, 1634, with final touches added in 1674. It became a minor basilica in 1927, known as "Rosary Basilica ad S. Mariam Rotundam."