St. Stephen’s Cathedral

Exhibiting some gorgeous Romanesque and Gothic architecture, the cathedral boasts a lofty tower and glimmering limestone walls, with its wonderful roof mosaics being one of its defining features.

Inside are atmospheric crypts and catacombs for visitors to explore, which house the remains of important members of the Hapsburg dynasty. Since it was built in 1137, the cathedral has been one of Vienna’s most arresting architectural and historical landmarks.

One of the city’s most recognizable symbols, St. Stephen’s Cathedral lies in Stephansplatz in the heart of Vienna. is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the archbishop of Vienna.

The church was dedicated to St. Stephen,  the first Christian martyr, and so was oriented toward the sunrise on his feast day of 26 December, as the position stood in the year that construction began. Built of limestone, the cathedral is 351 ft long, 130 ft wide, and 446 ft tall at its highest point.