St. Michael's Church

St. Michael's Church on Michaelerplatz opposite the Hofburg is among Vienna's oldest, founded in 1219 by Duke Leopold VI of Babenberg. The neoclassical facade dates from 1792, but the interior preserves Romanesque and Gothic fabric with later Baroque altars. In the 13th century it was one of only three parishes in Vienna alongside St. Stephen's and the Schottenstift. Its underground crypt is famous for the roughly 4,000 dead from the 17th and 18th centuries, many naturally mummified by the dry air, still wearing original clothing. Today most visitors pass through on the way from Kohlmarkt to the Hofburg. Guided crypt tours descend to see the preserved nobles. The church serves the Salvatorian order and stays open daily.