Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), Vienna
Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral) in Vienna, Austria, has survived through many wars and has become a symbol of Vienna's freedom. The Gothic cathedral was first built in 1147 AD and its most recognizable characteristic, the diamond-patterned tile roof, was added in 1952.
History
The first church to occupy the site of St. Stephan's Cathedral was a Romanesque sanctuary, which was replaced by a basilica in 1147 AD. A major fire in 1258 destroyed the basilica and construction on the present cathedral began in the early 14th century.
The cathedral suffered damage during the Turkish seige of 1683 and again in the closing days of World War II, when fire from streetfighting leapt to the rooftop. The cathedral was reopened in 1948; the roof was repaired and decorated with ceramic tiles donated by Viennese citizens in 1950.
Among the important events that have occurred at St. Stephen's are Mozart's wedding in 1782 and his funeral in December 1791.
What to See
The cathedral's interior is packed with many interesting things to see.
The pulpit, in the middle of the nave, bears the images of four Latin church fathers: Ambrose, Jerome, Gregory and Augustine, all full of personality.
The railing is covered in interesting symbols: the lizards are animals of light, the battle toads are animals of darkness, and the "Dog of the Lord" at the top protects the sermon from their influence. Wheels with three parts (the Trinity) roll up, while wheels with four parts (the four seasons, representing mortal or worldly life) roll down.
A rare self-portrait of the artist (Anton Pilgram) is under the stairs, looking out a window with his sculptor's compass. This marks the transition point into the Renaissance, when artists began to be famous instead of anonymous.
The Pummerin bell is one of the largest bells in the world, and was cast from a cannon captured from the Turks in 1683. It rings out over the city on New Year's Eve. Take the elevator up the north tower to see the bell and get a view of the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald).
The south tower is named Alter Steffl, "Old Steve," and was built between 1359 and 1433. The sweeping view of the city from the 450-foot-high tower is worth the 343 steps or elevator ride.
The "O5" carved into the stone outside the cathedral's massive front door has important historical significance. The "5" stands for the fifth letter of the alphabet, which added to the "O" makes OE, the abbreviation for Österreich (Austria). It was a covert sign of resistance to the Nazi annexation of Austria.
Map
Location map and satellite view of . Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. or a larger view, see our Vienna Map or Google Earth download.
Getting There
Reach Stephansdom by bus 1A, 2A, or 3A, or get off the U-Bahn at the Stephansplatz stop.
Quick Facts
The cathedral is open daily from 6am to 10pm. Visitors are welcome to worship services; if you're not attending, you cannot enter the nave but you can go to the elevator to the north tower. High Mass is held on Sundays and public holidays at 10:15am (9:30am in July and August).
Post a Comment