The church lies, unusually, on a North-South axis. The sculptural angels of the main façade were made by Othmar Schimkowitz, the mosaics and stained glass are the work of Koloman Moser, and the statues on the towers representing Saint Leopold and Saint Severin, the patron saints of Lower Austria, are from Richard Luksch. On the outside, the church has a golden dome, and its walls are covered with marble. Because it was built as the church of an asylum, there are very few sharp edges in the interior, no crosses are visible, and the priest’s area is separate from that of the patients. It is located on a hillside in the territory of the former Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital (now Otto-Wagner-Spital). This is one of the most significant Art Nouveau churches in the world and probably the most beautiful church that I have ever seen. Kirche am Steinhof / Church of Saint Leopold This building has a remarkable Art Nouveau door.Ģ5. The current building is one of the first ones in which Karl Reiss added elements of Art Nouveau (i.e., dragons) to the late-Historicist decor.Ģ4. This structure is located on the site of a former building by which the whole street is named (‘the Seven Stars’). Apartment building with shops ‘Zu den sieben Sternen’ Here too, the decorative effect is created by the simple but elegant use of the materials.Ģ3.

It is designed like an atrium, with a large glass ceiling allowing natural light enter the heart of the building. On the first floor, the famous Kassenhalle is located. Near the roof, statues of female angels holding laurels made by Othmar Schimkowitz can be found. In this way, the harmonious synthesis of form and functionality is established. These don’t obstruct the façade and resemble decorative elements. These are attached to the main brick structure of the building with mortar and iron bolts with aluminium caps. The façade is covered entirely with square marble plates, which are easy to maintain and clean. The building of the Austrian Postal Savings Bank represents Otto Wagner’s first step away from Art Nouveau towards modern architecture. The tropical glass house in Burggarten shows influence of Art Nouveau in several parts.

Vienna secession light