Stephansdom Guide

The South Tower of Stephansdom, affectionately known as "Steffl" by the Viennese, soars 136.4 meters above the city and is the tallest church tower in Austria. The 343-step spiral staircase climb takes you to a viewing platform at 72 meters that offers breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of Vienna — the Ringstrasse, Hofburg, Schönbrunn in the distance, the Danube, the Vienna Woods, and on clear days, the foothills of the Alps. The narrow stone staircase is an experience in itself, worn smooth by millions of pilgrims and visitors over six centuries. The climb is moderately challenging and takes about 10-15 minutes at a comfortable pace. This is the single best viewpoint in central Vienna and should not be missed if you are reasonably fit. The tower was completed in 1433 after 74 years of construction and has survived bombing, fire, and the 1945 siege of Vienna.

Beneath the cathedral lies a vast network of underground chambers and tunnels that have served as a burial site since the 14th century. The catacombs hold the remains of over 10,000 Viennese citizens, neatly stacked in bone-filled chambers, as well as copper urns containing the internal organs of Habsburg rulers — a practice following the imperial tradition of dividing the body among three burial sites (the Kaisergruft for the body, Stephansdom for the organs, and the Augustinerkirche for the heart). The 30-minute guided tour (German and English) takes you through narrow passages past rows of bones, plague-era mass graves, and the Ducal Crypt where Duke Rudolf IV, the cathedral’s founder, is interred. The catacombs are atmospheric and historically fascinating, though the narrow corridors are not suitable for claustrophobic visitors. Tours depart every 15-30 minutes from inside the cathedral.

The cathedral’s most visually striking feature from outside is its spectacular roof, covered with 230,000 glazed ceramic tiles arranged in intricate chevron patterns of green, yellow, black, and white. On the south side, the tiles depict the double-headed eagle of the Habsburg dynasty and the coat of arms of the City of Vienna and the Republic of Austria. The roof was painstakingly restored after being destroyed by fire in April 1945 during the final days of World War II — the original medieval tiles were lost, but the faithful reconstruction using identical techniques ensures the roof looks as it has for centuries. The best views of the roof pattern are from the North Tower elevator platform or from elevated vantage points along the surrounding streets. The roof is 111 meters long and reaches a height of 38 meters at the ridge, making it one of the most recognizable skylines in Europe.

The North Tower houses the Pummerin, Austria’s largest bell and one of the biggest free-swinging bells in Europe, weighing an impressive 20,130 kg. The original Pummerin was cast in 1711 from Turkish cannons captured during the 1683 Siege of Vienna, but it crashed through the floor when the cathedral caught fire in 1945. The current Pummerin was recast in 1951 from the fragments and rings only on special occasions — most famously at midnight on New Year’s Eve when its deep tones are broadcast across Austria to mark the start of the new year. Unlike the South Tower, the North Tower is accessed by elevator (ascending to 68 meters), making it accessible for visitors who cannot climb stairs. The elevator platform provides excellent close-up views of the mosaic roof tiles and a different perspective of the city from the South Tower.