The Maltese Church, also known as the Church of the Order of St. John, traces its origins back to the time of the Crusades. Vienna played a crucial role as a waypoint during the Crusades, with Frederick Barbarossa, the German king, making stops in the city. The church is first mentioned in historical records in the year 1217. Prior to this, the site of the church was occupied by the "House of the Prüder of the Order of the Sandy John," dedicated to pastoral work, caring for the poor, and supporting the crusaders. It is likely that between 1205 and 1217, followers of the Order of St. John, known as the Johannites, settled in the then-Saint John Street (now Kärntner Straße 35 / Johannesgasse 2), an important trade and military route through Vienna to Croatia.
In the 17th century, the church became a venue for the preaching of Abraham of Santa Clara, a court preacher and founder of a distinctive preaching style. His sculpture is installed near the Albertina, at the entrance to the Palace Park.
From Stephansplatz, we meandered through the time-worn cobbles of Karntrashtrasse, arriving at the venerable Albertina Gallery. There, a unique Monet exhibition unfolded before our eyes, uniting his masterpieces from global museums. This collection showcased the same locales captured at varying seasons and times, revealing Monet's genius in a new light. Our stroll culminated at the old market square, where we were delighted by a humorous tale reminiscent of Mark Twain's wit.
