A sacred beauty the camera can’t capture: A nighttime visit to Vienna’s landmark church and an encounter with an eternal ring floating between its twin towers
If you get the chance, you really have to go see it!
On a winter evening, Vienna’s sky gradually turns deep blue. In front of the city’s landmark Votivkirche, some people slow their pace, while others stop to take in this rare sight. Between the Gothic twin spires, a giant infinity symbol glows warm yellow, quietly suspended in the night sky.
A church born of gratitude
The church itself holds important historical significance. In 1853, Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph I (Empress Sisi’s husband) survived an assassination attempt. To thank God for his protection, he ordered the construction of Votivkirche. From that brush with death to today’s infinity symbol, it feels like a dialogue between history and the present. The 700-year-old church’s spires soar skyward, while a horizontal “∞” stretches between its two towers. The combination of ancient architecture and modern light art is unexpectedly harmonious.
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Behind the glow: What is the artist trying to say?
This light installation, titled “Infinity of Light,” is by Austrian artist Billi Thanner. She uses yellow LED lights to form an infinity symbol between the twin towers. The design is simple: only on the hour do the lights shift slightly, introducing a brief pulse of color. Restrained, yet sacred. Through the symbol, the artist hopes to connect the two towers, the past and present, and everyone who looks up at it. In these economically difficult times, the light seems to whisper: “Don’t give up. The possibilities are infinite.”
Images from IG @billithanner
Free outside, with a secret light show indoors
The exhibition began at the end of 2025 and is illuminated every night, with plans to continue through August 1, 2026. If you only want to see the exterior, you can enjoy the nighttime view for free from the square in front of the church. For a deeper experience, there is also a light show inside the church, with 4 performances between 5:00 PM and 9:30 PM. Tickets cost €22, and advance reservations are required. Visitors who have seen it say the 30-minute music and light show is thoughtfully produced: the stained-glass windows and dome become projection screens, with visuals ranging from stars in the cosmos to forests and grasslands, from the underwater world to the African savanna. The colors are rich, and even photos struggle to capture the impact of seeing it in person.
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If you happen to be in Vienna during this time, consider stopping by Votivkirche one evening. Stand in the square and look up: between the old stone walls, the glowing infinity symbol is there, a warm light that happens to illuminate your own unforgettable memories of the city.
“Infinity of Light”
Artist: Billi Thanner (Austria)
Exhibition dates: Late 2025 to August 1, 2026, illuminated nightly
Light show inside the church: 5:00 PM-9:30 PM (4 performances), tickets €22
Official website: Click here
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