Introduction
In every city, certain objects become symbols. One such symbol in Vienna is St. Stephen’s Cathedral, which stands in the oldest part of the city. Locally, it has always been known as Stephansdom. This name combines the German version of the name Stephan with the word der Dom, which means cathedral.
Finding St. Stephen’s Cathedral is straightforward—it is located right in the heart of the city, on a square aptly named Stephansplatz. You can easily recognize it by the shimmering, colorful tiles that adorn its two distinct roofs. The first roof covers the main part of the church (called the nave), while the second roof covers the area where the priests stand (known as the presbytery).
In total, an impressive 230,000 glazed tiles embellish the cathedral. Each tile weighs 2.5 kilograms (5.51 lbs) and is secured with two copper nails embedded in mortar. The overall decoration includes depictions of two imperial eagles, with the coats of arms the Habsburgs and the city of Vienna.
12th century – the parish
Based on the mention of the church in the Exchange of Mautern, the construction of the first church of St. Stephen dates to the year 1137. Under the contract, Duke of Bavaria Leopold IV the Generous and Bishop Reginmar of Passau established a new parish in areas outside the city walls. About 10 years later, the church was partially consecrated, but only in 1149 it burned down from a lightning strike. The construction of the second Romanesque church began in the early 13th century. From that period, the Pagan Towers, and the main portal, called the Giant’s Gate, have survived to this day.
14th century – the Chapter of All Saints
In the first half of the 14th century, the Gothic Albertine Choir was added to the cathedral. It was named after its founder, Albrecht II the Wise, who ruled at that time. In 1365, Duke Rudolf IV, also known as the “founder,” established the Cathedral Chapter, then called the Chapter of All Saints. This administrative institution allowed the cathedral to become independent from the Diocese of Passau. That event significantly raised the status of the church. Today, the Cathedral Chapter is responsible for the administration of the cathedral church and consists of 12 priests.
The Towers
In 1433, after 65 years of construction, the Stephansturm, also known as the Südturm (the South Tower), was completed. Standing at a height of 136.4 meters (approximately 448 feet), it held the distinction of being the tallest church tower in Europe for nearly 50 years after its completion. In the former Holy Roman Empire, it was forbidden to construct a church taller than the South Tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral. Today, the Viennese colloquially call it Stefii, which is a diminutive form of the name Stephen.
A few years later, in 1450, the construction of the Adlerturm, or Nordturm (the North Tower), began. However, its construction was interrupted in 1511, leaving it halfway up the Southern Tower. This interruption occurred partly due to the Reformation and partly because of the need to strengthen the city’s fortifications in response to threats from Turkish forces. The last set of stones on the North Tower bears the year 1511. In 1578, the North Tower was crowned with a Renaissance cap. Currently, it houses the Pummerin bell, which is the third-largest functioning bell in Europe, weighing over 21 tons (equivalent to 42,000 pounds). This bell is a 1951 replica of the original largest bell in Austria, cast in 1711 by Johann Achammer. The original bell was made from Turkish cannons captured during the Vienna relief. Initially placed in the South Tower, it first rang out on January 26, 1712. Unfortunately, it was destroyed when it fell during the cathedral fire on April 12, 1945.
The Metropolitan Church
On June 1, 1722, the papal bull “Suprema dispositione” was issued. It elevated Saint Stephen to the status of a metropolitan church, and the Viennese diocese to the rank of an archdiocese. The solemn elevation took place on February 24, 1723.
Wars, Destruction and Reconstruction
In the times of Napoleon, during the French bombardment in 1809, the spire of the South Tower was damaged. Many years later, around 1862, it was rebuilt using stone. On the spire, a new cross and eagle with the initials and motto of Emperor Franz Joseph were placed.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral survived the bombing raids during World War II and the city’s battles with minimal damage. Many movable artworks were evacuated from it, and some elements, such as the pulpit and Frederick III’s tomb, were bricked up. This likely saved them from destruction during the three-day fire that raged from April 12, 1945. In the blaze, the 1886 Walcker organ, the choir gallery, the imperial lodge, and valuable Gothic choir stalls were consumed, crushed by debris, and fell amidst burning roof beams. In November 1947, the southern presbytery vault collapsed.
The reconstruction of St. Stephen’s Cathedral began immediately after the war, funded by numerous donations from the population. The church was reopened in 1952, but conservation work continued until the 1980s.
Visit
Stephansdom consists of three naves and measures 107 meters (approximately 351 feet and 0.6 inches) long and 34 meters (about 112 feet) wide. Several entrances lead into its interior. The most famous one is the Riesentor (the Giant’s Gate). This massive entrance was originally reserved exclusively for the emperor. Its name likely derives from the Middle High German word risen (meaning to sink or fall), referring to the funnel-shaped portal. According to legend, it comes from a gigantic mammoth bone suspended above it or an assisting giant who helped construct it.
Another intriguing gate is the Bischofstor (the Bishop’s Gate). As the name suggests, bishops entered through it from their palace located directly opposite. For many years, it also served as an entrance exclusively for women. Conversely, the Singerto (the Singer’s Gate) was used by choir singers and was solely for men. This gate is also considered a key masterpiece of Gothic art within the cathedral.
The Patrons
The interior of the cathedral is very rich; it contains several Baroque altars. The early Baroque marble and stone main altar, dating back to 1647, was created by the architect and sculptor Johann Jacob Pock and his brother Tobias Pock. It depicts the scene of the stoning of Saint Stephen, the patron of the cathedral.
In the eastern part of the northern nave of the cathedral, there is an altar from Wiener Neustädt, made in 1447 at the request of Emperor Frederick III. On the predella, which is the base of the altar, there is an abbreviation of the motto of the Habsburgs: A.E.I.O.U. This motto, inscribed in the form of a monogram by Frederick III Habsburg in 1437, is most commonly interpreted as “Austriae est imperare orbi universe”– which means “The whole world is subject to Austria”.
In the cathedral, you’ll find the original image of the Virgin Mary of Pócs. Emperor Leopold I ordered this image to be taken from the Hungarian town of Máriapócs. Since it began “weeping” in 1696, the image has been surrounded by veneration. Mary’s tears were attributed to a miracle, and prayers were entrusted to her. Additionally, it became associated with the future victory over the Turks in the Battle of Zenta in 1697, led by Prince Eugene of Savoy. After the icon was brought to Vienna, the Virgin Mary of Pócs was established as the patroness of the city. In 1707, a copy of the icon was gifted to the Hungarians, and it too became renowned for its miracles. Initially located on the main altar, the image now resides in the southern nave, beneath a late-Gothic altar canopy dating back to 1515.
In addition to admiring the interior, you can visit the cathedral museum and the catacombs.
Catacombs beneath the Cathedral
Underneath the cathedral, there is an extensive complex of about 30 burial chambers. The core of the catacombs dates back to the ducal burial chamber, which Prince Rudolf IV built around 1363, and it is now known as the ducal crypt. During the reign of Maria Theresa, the crypt was significantly enlarged.
In 1732, the above-ground cemetery was closed, and at that time, new tombs were built beneath St. Stephen’s Square. Access to them was through the crucifix chapel. In total, over 10,000 bodies were buried underground. Burials ceased in 1783 during Emperor Joseph II’s rule, but many bones remain beneath the cathedral. In the 20th century, several burial chambers were destroyed due to the construction of an underground parking lot. Some of the catacombs are accessible for guided tours.
In the Princely Crypt, in the main section, there are 16 coffins belonging to members of the House of Austria. In the wall niches, there are urns containing the entrails of 76 members of the ruling family. Their bodies have rested in the Capuchin Crypt since 1633, while their hearts have been in the Loreto Chapel of the Augustinian Church, since 1637.
Furthermore, the cathedral crypt serves as the burial place for the archbishops of Vienna and two Austrian Baroque artists: Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt (1668–1745) and Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach (1656–1723).
Approximately 6 million people visit the cathedral each year. It also hosts concerts, for which tickets can be purchased 🌐 online. The cathedral’s rich history and cultural significance make it a popular destination for both tourists and music enthusiasts!
Planner
- The main entrance is through the Giant’s door, located on the west side of the cathedral, opposite the underground station.
- To access the South Tower, head to Stephansplatz. It’s slightly hidden behind the tower opposite the Haus Stephansplatz 3.
- Visitors can enter the cathedral free of charge, but some areas require paid access.
- Explore the Cathedral with a German or English-speaking guide, or use an audio guide.
🎫 Tickets online & ⏰ Open Hours
