Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral)

The Gothic cathedral at the dead centre of Vienna, and the building the city measures itself against — the Viennese simply call its spire the Steffl.

A Romanesque church stood here by the mid-twelfth century; its west front with the Giant's Door survives. Duke Rudolf IV began the Gothic rebuilding in 1359, and the south tower, about 124 metres high, was finished in 1433. The north tower was abandoned half-built in the early sixteenth century and capped instead. In April 1945 fire brought down the roof and destroyed the Pummerin bell; the cathedral was rebuilt with money from every Austrian province, and the new Pummerin, cast in 1951, hangs in the north tower. Look up at the glazed tile roof with its double-headed eagle — best seen from the north side.

The rear of the nave is free. Tickets checked on stephanskirche.at in September 2026: the south tower climb (343 steps) €8, the north tower lift €8, the catacombs tour €8, or an all-inclusive ticket at €29. Tourist visits pause for services — they run 09:00–11:30 and 13:00–16:30 Monday to Saturday, afternoons only on Sunday. The stair climb is long and narrow; the lift is the easier way up to the roof.

Keep walking: the cathedral is the start of every Old Town route — see the Innere Stadt.