St. Stephen's Cathedral: The Heart of Vienna and Landmark of Austria
St. Stephen's Cathedral - also affectionately known as "Steffl" - is probably the most famous building in Vienna and a symbol of the city and Austrian history. With its impressive Gothic architecture and its high, striking south tower, St. Stephen's Cathedral has shaped Vienna's cityscape for centuries. The cathedral, which is located in the heart of the city on St. Stephen's Square, is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also an important religious and cultural center.
Short info:
- Where is it: Stephansplatz 3, 1010 Vienna
- Accessibility: subway station Stephansplatz (U1, U3)
- Highlights: Gothic architecture, south tower, catacombs, Pummerin bell, access to north and south towers
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Sundays and public holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The different highlights vary.
- Admission: The “all-inclusive” ticket costs €25 and includes access to the cathedral interior, north tower, south tower and catacombs as well as an audio guide. They can also be booked individually. Here you can find all Prices and opening hours.
The “All-Inclusive” Ticket – A Comprehensive Experience
With the "All-Inclusive" ticket you get full access to St. Stephen's Cathedral and can experience the entire building in all its splendor. This ticket includes:
By the way, you can also visit the cathedral for free, but the free section is much smaller and limited by railings.
St. Stephen's Cathedral: Highlights of the Audio Guide Tour
St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of Vienna's most famous landmarks, impresses with its rich history and extraordinary architecture. The audio guide leads visitors through carefully selected stations that introduce important works of art, monuments and architectural features of the cathedral.
stations of the audio guide tour
1st Turkish Liberation Monument
This monument commemorates the liberation of Vienna from the second Turkish siege in 1683. It symbolizes gratitude for the victory and the protection of the city.
2nd baptismal chapel
The baptistery houses a historic baptismal font that has been used for many important baptisms in the past.
3. Servant Mother of God
The statue of the Servants' Mother shows the close connection between the Viennese population and the Mother of God. She was especially revered by servants.
4th choir organ
The choir organ is a magnificent instrument and today is used primarily to provide musical accompaniment to church services in the choir area.
5th high altar
The high altar from 1647 depicts the stoning of Saint Stephen, to whom the cathedral is dedicated. This baroque masterpiece is a central eye-catcher.
6. Tomb of Rudolph IV
The tomb of Rudolph IV, also known as the “founder”, is one of the most important monuments in the cathedral. It commemorates the patron of the Gothic reconstruction of St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
7th Wiener Neustadt Altar
The late Gothic Wiener Neustadt Altar is an extraordinary work of art. With its wings and detailed scenes, it is one of the highlights of the tour.
8th Ries organ
The Riesorgel is the largest organ in St. Stephen's Cathedral and impresses with its sound volume and artistic design.
9th organ base
This area showcases the magnificent base of the organ and gives an insight into its impressive construction.
10th cathedral pulpit
The Gothic cathedral pulpit, a masterpiece by Anton Pilgram, is richly decorated and features numerous symbols and figures reflecting the teachings and beliefs of the church.
The audio guide offers valuable information at each station, which conveys the rich history and significance of St. Stephen's Cathedral in an impressive way. A must for anyone who wants to get to know the heart of Vienna better!
North Tower (Pummerin)
The north tower houses the Pummerin bell, the largest bell in Austria. The elevator takes you to an observation deck from which you can enjoy an impressive view of Vienna. You can take beautiful photos from here. Unfortunately, it was raining during our visit.
south tower
The south tower is 136.4 meters high and is the landmark of Vienna. The climb up 343 steps is quite strenuous, but offers a breathtaking view of the city. However, it is easier to take photos from the north tower, as the windows here are usually closed for safety reasons.
catacombs
The catacombs of St. Stephen's Cathedral are located beneath the cathedral and offer a fascinating insight into the centuries-old history of Vienna. Originally there was a cemetery around St. Stephen's Cathedral, but it was closed in the 14th century for hygienic reasons. Instead, the catacombs were created as an underground burial site.
In the catacombs there are several burial chambers, including the so-called ducal crypt, which is located directly under the high altar. The remains of Rudolf IV, the founder of today's St. Stephen's Cathedral, and other members of the Habsburg family are buried here. It is particularly noteworthy that it was common practice in the Habsburg tradition to bury body parts in different places. While the bodies of the Habsburgs rest in the Imperial Crypt in the Capuchin Church, their organs are in the catacombs of St. Stephen's Cathedral and their hearts in the Augustinian Church.
In addition to the ducal crypt, the catacombs also contain rooms that house victims of the plague epidemic of 1679. In a mass grave lie the bones of around 11,000 people who died during the great plague in Vienna. The bones are partly stacked and distributed in a gruesome manner in the underground chambers, which makes the visit an impressive experience.
In the newer parts of the catacombs, which were created in the 18th century, there are additional burial chambers in which burials took place until 1783. The catacombs thus offer not only insights into the history of the cathedral, but also into the eventful history of Vienna and its inhabitants.
Photography is not allowed in the catacombs, but the dark and mysterious atmosphere remains in the memory of visitors
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Treasury of the Teutonic Order: This treasure chamber houses an impressive collection of medieval works of art and historical artifacts. Not in the cathedral, but 1st alleyway further on at Singerstraße 7, 1010 Vienna
- Visit to the Dom Museum Vienna (located behind St. Stephen's Church)
The History of St. Stephen's Cathedral
Construction of St. Stephen's Cathedral began in 1137, and the building has witnessed many historical events since then. Its Gothic architecture, magnificent tiled roof and south tower are symbols of the cathedral's and Vienna's long history. St. Stephen's Cathedral is particularly well-known for its role during World War II, when it was badly damaged and subsequently rebuilt.
church services and events
St. Stephen's Cathedral is an active place of worship. In addition to daily services, concerts and other events are held here regularly. The classical concerts, where works by Mozart, Beethoven and other composers are played, are particularly atmospheric.
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