On September 16, 1638, Emperor
Ferdinand III allowed the
Servite Order to found a
monastery in
Vienna. Inspired by Italian architect
Andrea Palladio, the church of the Servites was built by
Martin Carlone and dedicated to the
Annunciation to the Virgin. The
foundation stone was laid on November 11, 1651, and the church was consecrated in 1670 though the interior decoration was completed later. The most important work of art in the church is the "
Pietà" at the
altar of
Our Lady of Sorrows. The
tomb of general
Ottavio Piccolomini, who was an active patron of the church, is located under this altar. Another patron of the church was Baron
Christoph Ignaz Abele who donated the "Liborius altar". == References ==