The most incredible experience of the day today (so far; who knows what might be in store later) was visiting the Karlskirche, also designed by von Erlach for Charles VI. The church is ostensibly named for St. Charles Borromeo, but Charles VI was also obviously calling attention to himself (as if he needed more attention after his apotheosis in the library) as the culmination of all the Holy Roman Charleses from Charlemagne on. They are just finishing up a huge restoration project of the frescoes inside the dome and we got to ride an elevator and then climb some stairs up the scaffolding to the very top, about 65 meters high. It was like ascending with the angels. Von Erlach had seen drawings of the Hagia Sophia and definitely designed this church with that in mind. My favorite part of the fresco was this picture on the left, where we see Martin Luther being thrown down to the pit of hell (no doubt as one of those folks who goes around seeking the ruin of souls and has to deal with Michael the Archangel) and his books being burned up.

Around the altar are the four Latin church fathers. Quiz for you avid readers: which one of the following was NOT one of them?
Augustine, Aquinas, Jerome, Gregory, Benedict
Prize for the first correct answer posted as a comment on this blog!