Cities
Austria Vienna Vienna Cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral

About

St. Stephen's Cathedral, or Stephansdom, is Vienna’s most iconic Gothic landmark, renowned for its soaring south tower that reaches 136 meters, dominating the city skyline. The cathedral’s history dates back to the 12th century, with its current Romanesque and Gothic form largely shaped between the 14th and 15th centuries. Visitors are drawn to its stunning multicolored tiled roof, featuring intricate patterns including the Imperial double-headed eagle and the coats of arms of Vienna and Austria, made from over 230,000 glazed tiles. Inside, the cathedral impresses with its richly decorated Baroque high altar, the Gothic stone pulpit carved in 1515, and numerous chapels and altars, including the famous Wiener Neustadt altarpiece and the tomb of Emperor Frederick III. The cathedral also houses 22 bells, with the massive Pummerin bell in the north tower being the second largest free-swinging bell in Europe. Visitors can climb the 343 steps of the south tower for panoramic views over Vienna or take an elevator to the north tower to see the Pummerin up close. The catacombs beneath the cathedral, containing tombs and relics, offer a fascinating glimpse into its history. St. Stephen’s Cathedral remains an active place of worship and a symbol of Vienna’s resilience and cultural heritage.

Vienna Austria
St. Stephen's Cathedral
Location

St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) is situated at Stephansplatz, the geographical and historic heart of Vienna’s city center. This iconic Gothic cathedral towers over the square with its distinctive multicolored tiled roof and soaring south tower, making it a central landmark visible from many parts of the city. The cathedral is surrounded by bustling pedestrian streets, including the famous Graben and Kärntner Straße, which are lined with upscale shops, cafes, and restaurants, making the area a vibrant hub for both locals and tourists. Opposite the cathedral stands the striking modern Haas-Haus, a glass and steel building that contrasts yet harmonizes with the medieval architecture. Nearby, visitors can explore other attractions such as the Vienna State Opera, the Hofburg Palace, and the historic Stock-im-Eisen corner, famous for its medieval nail-studded tree trunk. Stephansplatz is well connected by public transport, with the Stephansplatz U-Bahn station serving multiple lines, ensuring easy access to the cathedral and the surrounding cultural and shopping districts. The area pulses with life, blending Vienna’s rich history with its modern urban energy.

Schönbrunn Palace Schönbrunn Palace Palace Hofburg Palace Hofburg Palace Palace Belvedere Palace Belvedere Palace Palace Albertina Museum Albertina Museum Museum Leopold Museum Leopold Museum Museum Mumok Mumok Museum Natural History Museum Natural History Museum Museum Kunsthistorisches Museum Kunsthistorisches Museum Museum Spanish Riding School Spanish Riding School Tourist attractions Vienna State Opera Vienna State Opera Opera House Prater Prater Tourist attractions Naschmarkt Naschmarkt Market Graben Graben Tourist attractions Kärntner Strasse Kärntner Strasse Tourist attractions Hundertwasserhaus Hundertwasserhaus Tourist attractions Sigmund Freud Museum Sigmund Freud Museum Museum Haus des Meeres Haus des Meeres Tourist attractions St. Peter's Church St. Peter's Church Church Volksgarten Volksgarten Park Burggarten Burggarten Park Augarten Augarten Park Jewish Museum Vienna Jewish Museum Vienna Museum Military History Museum Military History Museum Museum Technisches Museum Wien Technisches Museum Wien Museum Globe Museum and Esperanto Museum Globe Museum and Esperanto Museum Museum Clock Museum Clock Museum Museum Hermesvilla Hermesvilla Museum Imperial Treasury Imperial Treasury Museum Danube Island Danube Island Park Donauturm Donauturm Tourist attractions St. Michael's Church St. Michael's Church Church Minoritenkirche Minoritenkirche Church Otto Wagner Pavilions at Karlsplatz Otto Wagner Pavilions at Karlsplatz Museum Secession Building Secession Building Museum Theatermuseum Theatermuseum Museum Austrian Film Museum Austrian Film Museum Museum Third Man Museum Third Man Museum Museum Postal Savings Bank Building Postal Savings Bank Building Museum Anker Clock Anker Clock Tourist attractions Schönbrunn Zoo Schönbrunn Zoo Zoo Butterfly House Butterfly House Museum Kahlenberg Kahlenberg Museum City Hall City Hall Tourist attractions Burgtheater Burgtheater Museum Volkstheater Volkstheater Theatre Musikverein Musikverein Theatre Konzerthaus Konzerthaus Theatre House of Music House of Music Theatre Mozarthaus Vienna Mozarthaus Vienna Museum Liechtenstein Palace Liechtenstein Palace Palace Austrian National Library Austrian National Library Museum Imperial Treasury Vienna Imperial Treasury Vienna Museum Sisi Museum Sisi Museum Museum House of Austrian History House of Austrian History Museum Haus der Musik Haus der Musik Museum Beethoven Museum Beethoven Museum Museum Schubert Geburtshaus Schubert Geburtshaus Museum Zoom Kindermuseum Zoom Kindermuseum Museum Funeral Museum Funeral Museum Museum Kunsthalle Wien Kunsthalle Wien Museum Brunnenmarkt Brunnenmarkt Market Karmelitermarkt Karmelitermarkt Market Rochusmarkt Rochusmarkt Market Meidlinger Markt Meidlinger Markt Market Viktor-Adler-Markt Viktor-Adler-Markt Market Yppenmarkt Yppenmarkt Market Flohmarkt am Naschmarkt Flohmarkt am Naschmarkt Market Stephansdom South Tower Stephansdom South Tower Cathedral DC Tower 1 DC Tower 1 View Tall Building Stephansplatz Stephansplatz Street Heldenplatz Heldenplatz Square Am Hof Am Hof Square Freyung Freyung Square Judenplatz Judenplatz Square Maria-Theresien-Platz Maria-Theresien-Platz Square Michaelerplatz Michaelerplatz Square Rotenturmstraße Rotenturmstraße Street Spittelberg Spittelberg District Lobkowicz Palace Museum Lobkowicz Palace Museum Museum Vienna Observatory Vienna Observatory Observatory Kuffner Observatory Kuffner Observatory Observatory Urania Observatory Urania Observatory Observatory Habsburgwarte Habsburgwarte Tower Albertina Modern Albertina Modern Gallery Kunst Haus Wien Kunst Haus Wien Museum Galerie Krobath Galerie Krobath Gallery Galerie Martin Janda Galerie Martin Janda Gallery Galerie Meyer Kainer Galerie Meyer Kainer Gallery Galerie Emanuel Layr Galerie Emanuel Layr Gallery