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St.Stephens cathedral
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For over 800 years now, the jewel in Vienna's eccliastical crown has been the magnificent cathedral known as the Stephansdom. Nothing remains of the original 12th century cathedral but, as it stands today, the building is a glorious combination of mostly Romanesque and Gothic styles with some later Baroque elements.
The oldest section is the west door (known as the Giant's Doorway) which is flanked by two steepled towers (known as either the Heathen Towers, for the pagan shrine that once stood on this site, or, alternatively, the Roman Towers) - dating from the 13th century. Almost all the rest - nave, choir and side chapels and steeple - was built through the years of the 14th and 15th centuries in High Gothic style, while the north tower with its pretty ogee-roof is an as-yet-unfinished 16th century Baroque addition that houses the mighty Pummerin bell, made from the melted-down cannons of the defeated Turks .
The absolute crowning glory of the cathedral is its steep-pitched roof, the tiles (over a quarter of a million of them) laid out in dazzling diaper and chevron patterns with two huge panels featuring the double headed eagles of the Hapsburgs and the Austrian coat of arms.
The cathedral's vertical lines and narrow perspectives (it sits on a very cramped space for such a massive building) emphasize its height. It towers over the roofs of the Innerstadte and it's quite difficult to get a good look at it from the close confines of the old city. Fortunately, there are several high spots around the city from which you can get a good sighting.
The cathedral was very badly damaged by fire during WWII. A massive restoration effort saw it rise again as the symbol of the city but , as is always the case with such buildings, the need for restoration is constant, ongoing and very expensive. Currently it is the south tower that is shrouded in scaffolding. When that is finished, it will be something else. Please don't begrudge a donation to this work. Leave a Comment Directions: U - Stephansplatz
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St Stephan’s surely must take the award for the “Number One” sight in Vienna. The problem is that you are likely to gain the impression that nearly everyone in Vienna also will be visiting whenever you are there! An early start does help though.
Built in the 13th-14th centuries, St Stephan’s has had a hard time, being damaged by wars on several occasions. Most recently, it was severely damaged by fires late in WW II. That damage has long been repaired, but during our visit much of the main tower was so encased in scaffolding that I was prompted to make the unkind comment that it looked like a giant …well, never mind! Apparently the scaffolding is required for ongoing renovation work.
On your first visit, you probably will share our surprise at the extent to which the cathedral is hemmed in by other buildings, making photography very difficult. Equally, the external stonework shows the effects of centuries of soot and dust (Photos 2,3).
One of the building’s highlights is the richly decorated mosaic tiled roof. If there is a clear view of the entire south side roof from the old city area, we were unable to find it. Fortunately, a view of the northern roof with the Austrian coat of arms is possible from the Reisenrad giant ferris wheel at the Prater (Photo 4) (NB binoculars or a long telephoto are required). Another photographic hint – the late afternoon sun (heading photo) is much kinder than the morning light, and from a more suitable direction. Directions: Smack in the centre of the city.
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The STEPHANSDOM is the means's point of Vienna, and its most important symbol.
The Viennese name it "Steffl".
The prominent building is placed, in centre of the city, and is visible, from throughout Vienna. It is 108 m long, 39 m wide, and 137 m of high.
The construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century, in the year 1147, as a Romanesque basilica.
This church was burned down twice.
Under the order of the King Ottokar II of Bohemia, began in the year 1260, the construction of a Romanesque church.
From this construction, it remained the Giant Gate (Riesentor) and the west facade of the cathedral, with its Heath Towers (Heidentürme).
In the year 1359 began the rebuilding of the church, in the Gothic style.
The Foyer Choir (Hallenchor), the Nave, and the South Tower were erected in this time.
Beginning of the 16th century, the construction, at the North Tower, was broken, because of the dangers of the Turks.
In the year 1579, this tower was covered, with a tower helmet.
The Stephan cathedral remained relative intact after the Turk sieges, but in year 1945, it suffered heavy damages, under a big fire, almost at the end of the World War II.
In the year 1948 began the re-construction of the cathedral, with the population's support from whole Austria. It lasted seven years.
The "Steffl" was transformed into the people cohesion’s symbol, after the horrors of the war. Leave a Comment Phone: 01 515 52 3520Directions: Located in the "Innere Stadt", the cathedral is the geographical and emotional heart of the city. Station: Stephansplatz Metro: U1, U3Website: www.stephanskirche.at or www.st.stephan.at
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St. Stephen has 2 major towers - South tower and North-tower, both can be conquered.
We first went after the North-tower (Nord-turm, 68.3m), which was quite simple: go to the giftshop in the church, buy a ticket, and the elevator will take you up in no time - the view over Vienna is spectacular. (Yes, it is also incredibly unnerving if you suffer from vertigo like some of us...) Up on top of this tower you can glance at Vienna's most famous bell, the "Pummerin" (21,383 kg). The tower also provides an unusually close look at the famous roof of St. Stephen's tower. The North Tower is the shorter of the 2 towers, since building in the Gothic style ceased after 1511 and the tower remained unfinished to this day.
Next we went around the outside the church on search for the door to enter the South tower. The South Tower (Sudturm, 136.44m) was completed in 1433 (the Viennese have given it the nickname Steffl, which also denotes the whole cathedral). This tower, one of Vienna's most famous landmarks, is lit at night and can be seen all over Vienna. This time there was no elevator, so we had to climb the stairs...and climb....and climb....and climb...... 343 steps. It was a little disappointing to arrive at the top and all there is, is a little wooden room with windows (yes - really nice view) and yes - another giftshop.... but it was worth it just to be able to say "We climbed the South tower!" Leave a Comment
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When Pauline first saw St Stephan's, she was a little disappointed that the cluttered setting of the cathedral detracted from the impression she had gained from the TV shows. What we found inside though, more than overcame any reservations she may have had, and we returned several times during our stay.
Inside, the Gothic ceilings soared skywards, their height emphasised by white banners draped for a forthcoming musical performance (main photo); the giant pipe organ above the entrance looked most imposing and we both wished we’d been able to hear it (Photo 2); at the other end, the richly decorated High Altar, with its painting of the stoning of St Stephan, was quite ornate (Photo 3); and there was the famous pulpit, with its small stone dog at the top of the curved banister keeping back the cane toads and lizards (symbols of evil) (Photo 4) while the unknown stone sculptor with his chisel (Photo 5) peered out of his stone window. And everywhere, as can be seen in several of these photos, were the endless crowds.
Yes, St Stephan's is indeed well deserving of its popularity. Directions: Look for the busiest part of Vienna and you'll see it.
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It was the first day Ashley was supposed to meet my mom, so what better place than to get the two hopelessly Catholic people in my life meet at a Church - not just any church: St. Stephen's Cathedral! Located on St. Stephen's square in a pedestrian only area, and surrounded by some of Vienna's most exclusive shopping streets, this gothic church dominates not only the center of Vienna but also Viennese culture.
Once you exit the underground the church stares smack-bang into your face - Ash's catholic nature was so in awe that he got lost in the crowd staring open-mouthed at the tower. [Ash and the truth: THATS NOT TRUE-Eva points out the tower to me as we get out of the underground ... so there I am all lost in awe staring open-mouthed at the church, and when I turn around .. EVA's GONE!!!!! Thats when I try to locate her from a crowd of tourists, and a few moments later I see her hugging her mom. Mom gives me a bear hug, scolds Eva, and then we all go into church..smiling away! - Back to Eve]
Anyways, the church was built between the 12th and 14th century, destroyed and rebuilt several times because of wars, and thought completely lost after WW-II, but once again the Viennese decided on rebuilding their beloved church. Upon entering, one is awed by the beauty of the gothic architecture. The smell of frankinscense, the many candles lit for the souls of the departed, basins with holy water, and people kneeling in prayer gives you a feel of content somberness. We quietly walked around the church, admiring the artfully decorated walls, and successfully located the "Fenstergucker" (a small self-portrait of the church's architect, hidden under a stairway). We then went on to conquer both towers. In the back of the church is a little giftshop that offers books, cards, rosaries, medallions, pendants, and all sorts of souveniers. There is also the option of visiting the extensive catacombs underneath the church, but we'll keep that option for our next visit! Leave a Comment Phone: +43 1 513 76 48Directions: Right smack in the center of Vienna on St. Stephen's Square (Stephansplatz) take the underground U1 and exit on Stephansplatz Website: http://www.stephansdom.at
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So you've gazed up at the Stephansdom, walked around the building, taking in detail of the exterior, now it's time to look inside. Like all the venerable cathedrals of Europe, the Stephansdom is a wonderful cornucopia of periods and styles. Each succeeding generation has left their mark in the form of the ornamentation of the church, leaving an overall impression of incredible richness. From the Gothic to the Renaissance and on to the Baroque, there are side chapels and tombs, altar screens and statues, beautiful stained glass and acres of gold leaf, exquisite carving in stone and wood, and from about 9am onwards ... hordes of tourists clustered around their guides as this feature or that is pointed out and described in minute detail. You could be forgiven for thinking that this place is simply another museum.
Come earlier, at 8 or so and you will find a very different scene. Calm, quiet dignity. Mass being said to a small group of worshippers in a side chapel. A few people like you, slowly making their way up and down the aisles, sitting a while on a pew in contemplation of some detail of the building around them, gazing with intense absorption at the expression on a saint's face. This is when you really understand what these great edifices mean to their cities and the people who know them and claim them as their own. How master stonemasons and woodcarvers could work for years creating such masterpieces. When you slip out of a side door, you may leave without having seen every last polychromed triptych or gently smiling saint, you may not know what year saw this chapel dedicated or that tomb added, but you will take with you some of the awe, and the succour, they have inspired in people for centuries .. a connection to those mediaeval souls for whom the worship of God was made manifest in their cathedral. Leave a Comment Directions: The cathedral is first and foremost a place of worship. No flash photography might mean your photos aren't wonderful, but you could always buy a postcard and support the upkeep of the place.
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 Roof of the Cathedral by Mariajoy
The foundations of this cathedral date back to 1147 and the tiled roof (250,000 tiles to be exact!) was constructed with the design of the Hapsburg coat of arms in 1490. It was restored after fire damage in WWII. Leave a Comment
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St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) is probably Vienna's most known landmark. Standing at 137 m, it is the tallest church in Austria. The Gothic cathedral has 4 towers. The South and North Tower can be visited for magnificent views. The second largest swinging bell of Europe is located in the North Tower and called "Pummerin".
Directions:
St. Stephen's Cathedral is located at Stephansplatz, right in the heart of Vienna. The nearest metro stop is Stephansplatz (U1, U3). Leave a Comment
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Before you make your way inside the Stephansdom, do take some time to have a good look at least some of the sculptures and frescoes that adorn the exterior. Prior to 1735 the area along the side walls and around the back of the cathedral was used as a cemetery and many of the memorials on the outer walls relate to that use. Particularly notable are the newly-restored relief of Christ praying in the Garden of Gethsemane as his Apostles sleep and the pulpit of St Johannes Capistrano with its depiction of the saint triumphing over the defeated Turk in celebration of the victory of the Battle of Belgrade on 1456. There are delicate traceries of stone, statues of saints and worthies, reliefs of Biblical scenes, elaborately carved lintels, a memorial marking the spot where Mozart's corpse was blessed on its way to the grave. The frescoes are somewhat hidden by a protective mesh as work continues on the restoration of the south tower. Leave a Comment
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