St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St Stephen’s Cathedral is considered the symbol of Vienna and the most significant Gothic building in Austria. It is situated in the historical centre. Construction of the Cathedral began in the 12th century and it is now a mixture of several architectural styles. The oldest parts are Romanesque, the south tower is Gothic, the north tower is Renaissance and the interior is Baroque. The main entrance to the Cathedral is called “Riesentor” and is situated on the western side of the Cathedral, opposite the entrance to the metro. There are several valuable altars in the Cathedral, relics decorated with gold and precious stones, monstrances, liturgical texts, books and robes. The remains of Emperor Frederick III are deposited there in a marble tomb and Prince Eugene of Savoy is buried in the chapel. The tour of the Cathedral also includes a visit to the underground vaults, where some eminent personages of Vienna are buried. Visitors can also buy a ticket to climb up both towers – the north tower (75 stairs) and the south tower (343 stairs). The south tower can be entered via a low guard house and offers a beautiful view. It also houses the Pummerin bell, the second largest bell in Europe. The roof is decorated with coloured roof tiles forming the letters “C” and “K”, the double-headed eagle and the coats of arms of the City of Vienna and of the Republic of Austria. Concerts take place in the Cathedral, bud advance booking is necessary. For more information, visit the official website.
Useful information for visitors
Public transport connections
The closest public transport stops near St Stephen’s Cathedral:
- Stephansplatz metro and bus station
- Kärntner Straße metro station
Opening hours and admission
For up-to-date information about the opening hours of St Stephen’s Cathedral, click here. Visitors can also explore the underground vaults and the north and south towers. Visitors can purchase tickets to each part or a multi ticket covering the entire Cathedral. For more information, go here. Official events are often held in the Cathedral and thus the opening hours may be limited.
Interesting facts about St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St Stephen’s Cathedral was one of the tallest buildings in Europe for a long time. At the beginning of the tourist season, vendors start surrounding the cathedral, offering tickets to various performances and exhibitions.
