A place travelers can visit St. Stephen's Cathedral

Reviews: St. Stephen's Cathedral

General description: St. Stephen's Cathedral

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St Stephen's Cathedral - Stephansdorm
This landmark, affectionately known by the locals as "Steffl" is Austria's most important Gothic building. It began life as a Romanesque church, consecrated in 1147. In the mid-13th century it was replaced by a new Romanesque church, the remains of which - the Giant's Door with the two spires - still form the west façade of the Cathedral.

Building the Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna
The current building was erected in several stages: 1303-40 saw the construction of the three-naved Albertine Choir. From 1359, at the suggestion of the Habsburg Duke Rudolf V the founder, the nave with its magnificent star and ribbed vaulting and the 137 m high South Tower were built. The planned North Tower, intended to mirror the South Tower, remained unfinished, and was given a "Renaissance cap" in 1579. Beneath this cap one can see the "Pummerin" a 21-ton bell, the biggest in Austria. It was cast from the metal of captured cannons after the second Turkish siege (1683).

Inside the Stephansdorm
The interior of the church, described by Adolf Loos as the "most religiously solemn in the world", houses a multitude of unique art treasures. The most important of these are Anton Pilgram's pulpit, made from 1514-15, the Gothic "Vienna Neustadt Altar", made in 1447, Kaiser Friedrich III's raised tomb built over 40 years (1467-1513) by Niclas Gerhaert van Leyden, and the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy, made in 1754. Visitors should also take a trip down to the catacombs which contain the mortal remains of 15 early Habsburgs, as well as the entrails of 56 further members of the ruling family, stored in urns.

Panoramic views over Vienna
Affectionately known by the Viennese as the "Steffl", this city emblem is Austria's most important Gothic building. Its history reaches back to 1147, when the first, Romanesque church was consecrated.
Anyone who climbs up the 343 narrow steps to the room in the southern tower can enjoy fabulous views across the city.

Visiting St Stephen's Cathedral

Address
Stephansplatz
1010 Wien

Opening times
Open daily

Official website: www.stephansdom.at

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