Remarks
With its 137m spire soaring to the skies, St Stephen's Cathedral is the monument that is the most symbolic of Vienna. While the west façade has preserved its original Romanesque simplicity with the Giants' Doorway and Pagans' Towers, the cathedral was almost entirely rebuilt in Gothic style from the 14 to the 15C. The Pope made it a cathedral in 1469. With its numerous statues, the decoration on the Giants' Doorway is extremely detailed. Inside, the nave in all its majesty extends to the chancel for a total length of 107m, which is typical of hall-churches. Despite the crowd, it is as if you are drawn in by the immensity of space, intensified by the purity of the flamboyant Gothic lines. An immediate attraction is the enchantingly brilliant pulpit sculpted by Anton Pilgram in the 16C. To the left of the central apse at the bottom, in the Virgin's Chancel, visitors should try to decipher the remarkable carved scenes on the Wiener Neustadt altarpiece or those on the other side, on the tomb of Frederick III, representing the fight between Good and Evil personified by unpleasant creatures trying to disturb the Emperor at rest. From the south tower, if you are up to climbing the 343 steps, you will have one of the finest panoramic views of the city, from a height of 73m. For the less active, a lift in the north tower takes you to a height of 60m for the same purpose, but the view also includes the «Pummerin», the famous 21t bell which rings on special occasions. To complete the tour, why not visit the impressive Catacombs