St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna facts for kids

"Steffl" redirects here. For the department store located nearby, see Steffl (department store).

Quick facts for kids St. Stephen's Cathedral
Cathedral and Metropolitan Church of Saint Stephen and All Saints
Stephansdom (German), Dom- und Metropolitankirche zu Sankt Stephan und allen Heiligen (German)

48°12′31″N 16°22′23″E / 48.2085°N 16.373°E / 48.2085; 16.373
Location	Vienna
Country	Austria
Denomination	Roman Catholic
History
Status	Cathedral (also parish church)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Style	Romanesque, Gothic
Groundbreaking	1137
Completed	1578
Specifications
Length	107 metres (351 ft)
Width	70 metres (230 ft)
Nave width	38.9 metres (128 ft)
Height	136.7 metres (448 ft)
Number of spires	2 main
Spire height	North: 68.3 metres (224 ft) South: 136.44 metres (447.6 ft)
Materials	limestone
Bells	22
Administration
Archdiocese	Vienna

St. Stephen's Cathedral, also known as Stephansdom, is a very important church in Vienna, Austria. It is the main church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna. This amazing building has a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles.

The church you see today was mostly built starting in the 1300s by Duke Rudolf IV. It stands on the remains of two older churches. St. Stephen's Cathedral is the most important religious building in Vienna. It has seen many big moments in Austrian history. Its colorful tiled roof makes it one of Vienna's most famous symbols.

History of St. Stephen's Cathedral
Outside the Cathedral
Inside the Cathedral
Taking Care of the Cathedral
Famous People and Events
Balassi Mass
Images for kids
See also

History of St. Stephen's Cathedral

By the mid-1100s, Vienna was growing fast. The city needed more churches. In 1137, a new church was planned. It was likely built on an old Roman cemetery. Digs in 2000 found graves from the 4th century. This shows that a religious building was here even before Vienna's oldest church.

Growth of the cathedral, showing the Roman towers and Giant's Door from the burned first church (1137), the Romanesque second church (1263), the Gothic Albertine Choir (1340), and the Duke Rudolf IV additions (1359), which removed the second church, leaving Stephansdom as it appears today.

The first part of the Romanesque church was dedicated in 1147. It was named after Saint Stephen. The first building was finished in 1160. But major building and repairs continued until 1511. Work to keep it in good shape still happens today.

From 1230 to 1245, the first Romanesque church was made bigger. The west wall and two Romanesque towers you see today are from this time. In 1258, a big fire destroyed much of the church. A new, larger Romanesque church was built. It reused the two old towers. This new church was dedicated on April 23, 1263.

In 1304, King Albert I ordered a new Gothic section. This part was built to the east of the church. Under his son, Duke Albert II, work continued. This new section was finished in 1340. The middle part is for St. Stephen and All Saints. The north and south parts are for St. Mary and the Apostles.

Duke Rudolf IV wanted Vienna to be more important. So, he expanded the church again. On April 7, 1359, he started building a Gothic extension. This new part would eventually cover the whole old church. By 1430, the old church building was removed from inside the new one. The tall south tower was finished in 1433. The main part of the church got its vaulted ceiling between 1446 and 1474.

In 1365, Rudolf IV decided the church should be a big cathedral. This was the first step for Vienna to get its own diocese (a church district led by a bishop). In 1469, Emperor Frederick III convinced the Pope to make Vienna its own diocese. St. Stephen's Cathedral became its main church. In 1722, it was made an archbishopric.

Watercolor by Jakob Alt, 1847

During World War II, the cathedral was almost destroyed. A German captain ignored orders to blow it up. But on April 12, 1945, fires started by looters spread to the cathedral. The roof was badly damaged and fell in. Luckily, special brick covers protected many valuable artworks. The church was rebuilt quickly after the war. It fully reopened on April 23, 1952.

Outside the Cathedral

The church faces the sunrise on St. Stephen's feast day. It is built from limestone. The cathedral is 107 meters (351 feet) long. It is 40 meters (131 feet) wide. Its highest point is 136 meters (446 feet) tall. Over time, pollution made the church look black. Recent cleaning has brought back its original white color in some parts.

Cathedral Towers

Romanesque Towers on the west front, with the Giant's Door

The south tower is the tallest part of St. Stephen's Cathedral. It is 136 meters (446 feet) tall. People in Vienna lovingly call it "Steffl." Building it took 65 years, from 1368 to 1433. During sieges in 1529 and 1683, it was used as a lookout post. Watchmen lived in the tower until 1955. They would ring bells if they saw a fire.

The north tower was meant to be as tall as the south tower. But the plan was too big for the time. Building stopped in 1511. In 1578, a Renaissance-style cap was added. Locals call it the "water tower top." This tower is now 68 meters (223 feet) tall. That is about half the height of the south tower.

The main entrance is called the Giant's Door, or Riesentor. This name might come from a mammoth bone found nearby in 1443. Or it could be from an old German word for 'funnel shape'. Above the door, there is a carving of Christ with two angels. On the sides are the two Roman Towers, or Heidentürme. They are about 65 meters (213 feet) tall. Their name comes from being built with stones from old Roman buildings. These Roman Towers and the Giant's Door are the oldest parts of the church.

The Roof of the Cathedral

South tower and the shorter north tower, along with the roof tiles mosaic.

St. Stephen's Cathedral roof

Window on the Stephansdom roof

The roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral is very famous. It is 111 meters (364 feet) long. It is covered with 230,000 colorful glazed tiles. On the south side, the tiles form a mosaic of a double-headed eagle. This eagle was a symbol of the Habsburg family who ruled from Vienna. On the north side, you can see the coats of arms of Vienna and Austria.

In 1945, fire from World War II damaged the roof. The wooden frame was destroyed. Rebuilding it with wood would have been too expensive. So, over 600 tons of steel were used instead. The roof is very steep. This means rain cleans it well, and snow rarely stays on it.

Cathedral Bells

"Christ with a toothache"

St. Stephen's Cathedral has 22 bells. The biggest bell is called Pummerin ("Boomer"). It hangs in the north tower. It weighs 20,130 kg (44,379 lb). It is the largest bell in Austria. It is also the second-largest swinging bell in Europe.

The original Pummerin bell was made in 1711 from cannons taken from invading armies. It was recast in 1951 after it fell during the 1945 fire. The new bell was a gift from the region of Upper Austria. It rings only a few times a year, like on New Year's Eve.

The tall south tower holds eleven electrically operated bells. They were made in 1960. These bells replaced others lost in the 1945 fire. They are used during church services. Four bells are used for a normal service. For big holidays, up to ten bells ring. If the Cardinal Archbishop is there, the largest eleventh bell is added.

The north Roman Tower has six bells. Four of them were made in 1772. They ring for evening prayers and funerals. One bell, the Kleine Glocke, was made around 1280. It is the oldest bell in the cathedral.

Outside Walls and Features

Capistran Chancel

In the Middle Ages, cities had their own measuring tools. Vienna's official length standards are on the cathedral wall. They are two iron bars used to check cloth measurements.

Official Viennese linen ell and drapery ell length standards embedded in the cathedral wall

A special tablet tells about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's connection to the cathedral. He was married here. Two of his children were baptized here. His funeral was held in the Chapel of the Cross inside the church.

Near the catacombs entrance is the Capistran Chancel. This is an outdoor pulpit. From here, St. John Capistrano preached in 1456. He called for a fight against invading armies. A statue from the 1700s shows him stepping on a defeated Turk.

A statue of Christ is known as "Christ with a toothache." At the southwest corner, you can see old memorials. This area used to be a cemetery. There is also a restored 15th-century sundial.

Inside the Cathedral

Plan of St. Stephen's Cathedral. CT "Christ with a toothache"; Fr3 Tomb of Emperor Frederick III; G Giant's Door HA High Altar; MP Maria Pötsch icon; NT North Tower; P Pulpit; PES Prince Eugene of Savoy burial chapel; RT Roman Towers; S Sundial; SJC St. John of Capistrano pulpit; ST South Tower; WNA Wiener Neustädter Altar

The main part of the church has 18 altars. More altars are in the different chapels. The High Altar and the Wiener Neustadt Altar are the most famous.

Main Altars

The High Altar was built between 1641 and 1647. It was part of the first Baroque-style renovation. It is made of marble from different regions. The High Altar shows the stoning of St. Stephen. It is surrounded by statues of other saints. A statue of St. Mary is at the top.

Wiener Neustädter Altar

The Wiener Neustadt Altar is at the front of the north part of the church. It was ordered in 1447 by Emperor Frederick III. His tomb is nearby. This altar has two parts. When the lower panels are open, you can see a Gothic grate. On weekdays, the panels are closed and show 72 saints. On Sundays, they open to show golden wooden figures. These figures show events from the life of the Virgin Mary. This altar was restored for 20 years, finishing in 2005.

The Maria Pötsch Icon

Pötscher Madonna

The Maria Pötsch Icon is a painting of St. Mary with baby Jesus. It came from a Hungarian shrine called Máriapócs. The painting shows Mary pointing to Jesus. Jesus holds a three-stemmed rose, which means the Holy Trinity. He also wears a cross around his neck.

In 1696, people claimed the mother in the picture shed real tears. So, Emperor Leopold I ordered it moved to St. Stephen's Cathedral. He wanted it safe from the armies that controlled Hungary. It arrived in 1697 after a five-month journey. The Emperor placed it near the High Altar. It stayed there until 1945. Now, it is in a different frame. It is above an altar in the southwest part of the church. Many candles burn there, showing how much people honor it.

The people of Pócs wanted their painting back. The emperor sent them a copy. Since then, the copy has also been reported to shed tears and work miracles. So, the village changed its name to Máriapócs. It is now an important place for pilgrimages.

The Pulpit

Pulpit

The stone pulpit is a beautiful example of late Gothic sculpture. It is believed to be carved by Niclaes Gerhaert van Leyden. The pulpit stands against a pillar in the main part of the church. This helped people hear the sermon better before microphones existed.

The sides of the pulpit look like petals. On them are carvings of four important church teachers. They are St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Ambrose, St. Gregory the Great, and St. Jerome. Each is shown at a different age and with a different personality. The handrail of the stairs has carvings of toads and lizards biting each other. This symbolizes the fight between good and evil. At the top of the stairs, a stone puppy protects the preacher.

Under the stairs is a famous carving. It is a self-portrait of the unknown sculptor. He is peeking out of a window. This carving is known as the Fenstergucker (window-peeker). The chisel in his hand and his stonemason's mark suggest it is him.

Cathedral Chapels

St. Catherine's Chapel

St. Stephen's Cathedral has several chapels:

St. Catherine's Chapel: This chapel is at the base of the south tower. It is used for baptisms. The baptismal font was finished in 1481.
St. Barbara's Chapel: This chapel is at the base of the north tower. It is a quiet place for prayer.
St. Eligius's Chapel: This chapel is in the southeast corner. It is open for prayer. Its altar is for St. Valentine.
Chapel of the Cross: This chapel is in the northeast corner. It holds the burial place of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Mozart's funeral was held here in 1791. The beard on the crucified Christ above the altar is made of real hair. This chapel is not open to the public.
St. Valentine's Chapel: This chapel is above the Chapel of the Cross. It stores hundreds of important religious items. These include a piece of cloth from the Last Supper. It also holds the bones of St. Valentine.

Tombs and Catacombs

Plan of St. Stephen's Cathedral basement

For a long time, people were buried inside and around the cathedral. It was an honor to be buried inside a church.

Inside the cathedral are the tombs of important people. These include Prince Eugene of Savoy, a military commander. His tomb is in the Chapel of the Cross. Emperor Frederick III is also buried here. His tomb is in the Apostles' Choir.

Tomb of Emperor Frederick III

Emperor Frederick's tomb took over 45 years to build. It is a large stone coffin made of red marble. It was carved by Niclaes Gerhaert van Leyden. The lid shows Emperor Frederick in his royal clothes. The tomb itself has 240 statues.

In 1735, a plague outbreak led to closing the cemeteries around the cathedral. The bones were moved to the catacombs below the church. People were buried directly in the catacombs until 1783. Now, over 11,000 people's remains are in the catacombs. You can take tours to see them.

The basement also has crypts for bishops, provosts, and dukes. The Ducal Crypt is under the main altar area. It holds 78 bronze containers. These contain the bodies, hearts, or organs of 72 members of the Habsburg royal family. Duke Rudolf IV ordered this crypt built for himself.

Ducal Crypt

Organs of the Cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral has a long history of pipe organs. The first organ was mentioned in 1334. After the 1945 fire, a large electric organ was built in 1960. It had 125 stops (different sounds) and 4 keyboards. In 1991, a smaller organ was rebuilt in the choir area.

The large 1960 organ was not used much after about 35 years. From 2017 to 2020, it was rebuilt. It now has 5 keyboards and 130 stops. There is also a special console that can play both the large organ and the choir organ at the same time. The cathedral also has three smaller organs.

Taking Care of the Cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral under renovation, 2007

Interior after renovation. 2017

Keeping the medieval cathedral in good shape is a constant job. It has been going on since it was first built in 1147. The limestone used to build it wears away over time.

The permanent Dombauhütte (Construction Department) uses modern science. They use lasers to clean delicate stone parts. They are also looking for ways to protect the stone from water.

A big project recently finished was better heating for the church in winter. Old heating systems left soot on the artwork. The new system uses heat from many places. This means less air movement to carry damaging particles. The church is now heated to about 10°C (50°F).

Christ in Gethsemane after restoration

Some of the old building plans are from the Middle Ages. They are on paper that is 15 feet long and very fragile. Now, the cathedral has a digital 3D model. Laser measurements were used to create it. This helps the nine full-time stonemasons on staff. They can create new stone pieces to repair or replace old ones.

In 2014, a man damaged a statue of St. Jude Thaddeus inside the cathedral. In 2020, art experts found a mural under dirt in the gift shop. They think it might be by the famous artist Albrecht Dürer.

Famous People and Events

Many famous musicians have led the music at St. Stephen's. These include Johann Joseph Fux and Johann Georg Reutter. Reutter was the music director when Joseph Haydn was a choirboy.

The cathedral has hosted many important weddings and funerals:

Royal Weddings: Louis II of Hungary and Mary of Austria (1515); Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor and Anne of Bohemia and Hungary (1515).
Musician Weddings: Joseph Haydn (1760); Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1782). Mozart's funeral was held here in 1791.
Funerals: Antonio Vivaldi (1741); Franz Joseph I of Austria (1916), who was Emperor for 68 years; Otto von Habsburg (2011), the last Crown-Prince of Austria-Hungary; Niki Lauda (2019), a famous Formula One world champion.

Some notable people buried in the crypt include:

Johannes Cuspinian – a historian and diplomat.
Elisabeth of Austria, Queen of France – wife of Charles IX of France.
Neidhart von Reuental – a medieval singer.
Former Archbishops of Vienna.

Balassi Mass

Since 2008, two special swords for the Balint Balassi Memorial Sword Award are blessed at a Mass here. In 2013, a bishop blessed the swords during a Mass with many Hungarians present.