Kirche am Steinhof, Vienna

The Kirche am Steinhof, also known as the Church of Saint Leopold, serves as the Roman Catholic oratory for the Steinhof Psychiatric Hospital. This architectural gem was designed by Otto Wagner, a renowned architect at the age of 63, and stands as a significant example of Art Nouveau church design worldwide.

Construction of this church took place between 1903 and 1907. Koloman Moser adorned it with intricate mosaics and stained glass, while Othmar Schimkowitz contributed sculptural angelic figures. Most of the finer details in the church were personally crafted by Otto Wagner. The statues atop the two external towers depict Saint Leopold and Saint Severin, the creations of Viennese sculptor Richard Luksch.

Otto Wagner ingeniously designed the church for a psychiatric institution, emphasizing rounded corners and minimal sharp angles. Crosses are few, and there's separation between the priest's area and the patients'. The central ceiling, situated beneath an unseen dome, features symbolic imagery of the four evangelists: a man representing Matthew, a lion for Mark, a calf for Luke, and an eagle for John. Adorning the sides of the Kirche am Steinhof are magnificent windows portraying seven saints, each identified below the respective frame.

The vibrant mosaic behind the ornate altar depicts a departed soul's ascent to heaven via a trompe-l'oeil staircase, often likened to Hollywood glamour. Notable saints include Saint Dymphna, patron of epilepsy and mental illness, and Saint Clement Hofbauer (1751–1820), patron saint of Vienna. Despite a hidden dome, the church's nave has a remarkable six-second echo.

This church, with a seating capacity of 800 when filled to capacity, underwent extensive renovation work and was reopened to the public on October 1, 2006.