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ST. STEPHEN'S CATHEDRAL l Vienna, Austria ll GWY's Travel Diary

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The magnificent Gothic edifice that is St Stephen’s Cathedral, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, is one of Vienna’s most culturally significant landmarks. It’s also an important heritage site, and is respected across Austria and indeed throughout the world. The cathedral is something of a symbol of Vienna, with its stunning mosaic roof and the sheer height of its south tower making it one of the most recognisable attractions in the city.

The exterior of the cathedral is made up of limestone walls that have been adorned with intricately detailed statues. The design is an amalgamation of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles. But the cathedral’s most striking feature, which is immediately eye-catching, is the decorative, coloured tile roof, featuring a striking diamond pattern in white, yellow, green and brown.

A prominent feature of St Stephen’s Cathedral is its towers, which seemingly scrape the sky with their mottled, ornate spires. The tallest, known affectionately as “Steffl”, is the south tower, which stands autocratically at a staggering 136 metres (446 feet) high and has become an icon of the city’s skyline, visible from almost anywhere in Vienna. Inside the north tower hangs the Pummerin, one of Europe’s largest free-swinging bells, which is etched with images of the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that Beethoven‘s deafness first became apparent to him when he observed birds flying away from the north tower yet could not hear the sound of the Pummerin ringing.

Those who make the pilgrimage up the 343 steps to the peak of the south tower, to the viewing room, will be rewarded with a dramatic view from St Stephen’s Cathedral of Vienna below – an especially incredible sight on a clear day with a blue sky.
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