St. Stephen's Cathedral

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, or Domkirche St. Stephan, is not merely a landmark of Vienna—it is the city’s beating heart, standing with quiet majesty at the center of history, faith, and everyday life. Rising proudly from Stephansplatz, its soaring Gothic spire seems to touch the sky, guiding visitors and locals alike through centuries of stories etched in stone. The cathedral’s exterior is instantly captivating. The richly patterned tiled roof, shimmering with imperial colors, feels almost alive under the changing Viennese light, while the South Tower commands awe with its elegant height and intricate detail. Step inside, and the atmosphere shifts to one of reverent calm. Soft light filters through stained-glass windows, illuminating the vast nave and drawing the eye toward the ornate high altar, a masterpiece of late Gothic art. Every corner of St. Stephen’s whispers history—from the worn stone floors shaped by countless footsteps to the catacombs below, where echoes of the past rest in solemn silence. The cathedral is not frozen in time; it breathes with the rhythm of the city. You may hear the distant sound of organ music or the quiet murmur of prayer, blending spirituality with daily life in a deeply moving way. Climbing the tower rewards visitors with breathtaking panoramic views over Vienna’s rooftops, a reminder of how deeply this cathedral is woven into the city’s soul. To visit St. Stephen’s Cathedral is to experience Vienna itself—timeless, resilient, and profoundly beautiful.

To stand before St. Stephen’s Cathedral is to feel stone inhale and exhale. This is not a building that merely occupies Vienna, it grows from it, like a geological miracle coaxed upward by faith, weather, and centuries of stubborn devotion. The roof shimmers like a living mosaic, a skin of color laid lovingly across the spine of the city. It feels almost playful, as if the cathedral winked at gravity before daring itself to rise. Patterns ripple. Geometry dances. Nothing is accidental. Even the weight of history here feels organic, curved by time rather than crushed by it. Step inside and the air thickens with reverence. Columns stretch upward not as rigid supports but as trees seeking light, branching toward heaven with quiet confidence. Shadows are not empty, they are intentional pauses, moments where silence does the talking. Light spills in carefully, as if invited, tracing stories onto stone the way a hand traces a familiar face. This cathedral does not shout its holiness. It hums. It reminds you that devotion can be joyful, that faith can be playful without losing its depth, that beauty and belief are not rivals but collaborators. St. Stephen’s is not frozen in the past, it is alive, breathing, watching the centuries pass with patience and grace. You don’t just visit it. You enter a conversation between earth and sky. Five stars, without hesitation. This is architecture that remembers how to dream.

If you read about Vienna or go to any museum about Vienna, you'll hear that St. Stephen’s Cathedral is the spiritual and architectural heart of the city. And it truly is! But the photos don't do it justuce. Its beauty and grandeur can only be appreciated in person. It was raised in 1147 and throughout time, it changed from a Romanesque church into a ghotic cathedral in the 16th century. It suffered many wars, even a partial roof burning in 1945, and it never fell. Its south tower can be seen from many points in the city, due to its heigh of 136.7 meters. Another eye-catching aspect from afar is its roof, decorated with 230,000 glazed tiles in a colorful zig-zag patterns. The inside is so vast, you can get lost in it. Not just the ground floor can be visited, but it also has catacombs beneath, where generations of Viennese bishops and nobles were interred. Apart from the catocombs, going inside is free. Do not miss the chance to visit it if you'ree in town!

Vienna City Center is truly a beautiful and lively place! This place feels elegant and cultural, with historic streets and landmarks creating an amazing atmosphere. During Christmas, the center becomes even more magical with decorations, markets, and illuminated streets. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is breathtaking both inside and out, and really gives the city center its unique character. There are plenty of great restaurants, cafés, and shops to explore. One of my favorites is La Romana ice cream, truly some of the best I’ve ever had! . The vibe of the city is lively yet relaxed, and the staff everywhere are friendly and professional. Getting around is very easy, public transport is excellent, and most streets, shops, and restaurants are ♿wheelchair-friendly, making it ♿ accessible for everyone. The center is perfect for families with children and very 🐶 pet-friendly, especially outdoors and on café terraces. Prices can be a bit higher, but the quality of services, atmosphere, and overall experience definitely make it worth it. 🅿️ Parking: ✅️ ♿ Wheelchair Accessibility: ✅ ♿ 🅿️ Wheelchair Parking: ✅ ♿ 🚻 Wheelchair WC: ✅ 📶 Wifi: Not Sure 💳 Debit / Credit Card: ✅️ 🏧 ATM : ✅️ 🍽 Food Availability : ✅️ 🛗 Lift/ramp : ✅ 👦🏼Kids Friendly: ✅

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a highlight of Vienna, blending history and awe-inspiring views. You can enter for free to explore the outer sections of the interior, but a ticket is needed to access the central area for a closer look at its stunning details. The South Tower is a standout attraction, offering sweeping views of the city and the chance to see the famous largest bell. Separate tickets are required for these experiences, but a combined pass is also available for full access. This landmark is a must-visit for anyone exploring Vienna, offering a perfect mix of history, beauty, and unforgettable cityscapes.

Loads of tourists, especially during Christmas season. Still very beautiful. Entry is free for the main tourist area, you have to pay for the actual pews, tombs and the lift to the upper floor. Otherwise beautiful building, a must see for gothic lovers!! Beware of people in the front trying to get you to buy tours. Just walk past them and don’t engage.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is one of those places that completely lives up to the hype. No matter how many photos you’ve seen, walking up to it in the middle of Vienna still feels impressive. The Gothic architecture is stunning, especially the roof, it’s incredibly detailed and unmistakably Viennese. Inside, the atmosphere is dark, heavy, and contemplative in the best way, the kind of space that makes you slow down without trying to. It feels less like a tourist attraction and more like a living monument that has absorbed centuries of history. If you go up the tower, the views over Vienna are absolutely worth it. A true landmark and an essential stop in the city.

A truly impressive cathedral right in the heart of Vienna — an absolute must‑see. The moment you step inside, the scale and detail of the architecture take your breath away. It’s one of those places where you can easily spend time just admiring the atmosphere and craftsmanship. Entrance is free, but if you want to climb up to the dome for panoramic views or explore the historic catacombs, there’s an additional ticket: €7 for each area or €25 for the full experience. Completely worth it if you want to appreciate the cathedral in all its depth.

We visited St. Stephen's Cathedral on our last morning in Vienna (a Monday). It is, unsurprisingly, located at the St. Stephansplatz subway station. This is also the closest public restroom, as they do not have one available in the church itself. The church opened at 9 a.m. and we were a few minutes early. We circled around the outside and took some photos. My wife had downloaded Rick Steves audio tour of the church (covering both the interior and exterior) and was fairly interesting. It lasted about 35 minutes. While it is free to enter the church, there are 3 areas where you have to pay: the 2 towers and the main aisle / altar. You can see most of the interior from the free side-aisle, but depending on how up-close you want to get, you may want to pay. I think each area cost about 7 Euros per person, but you could get a combo ticket for 20 Euros. We just did the towers, though. For the smaller north tower, there is an elevator. It only takes 5 people plus the operator so there may be a line (up and down). There are a couple of different platforms at the top along with good views of the church's tiled roof and the surrounding area. I thought it was worth it. No one else was interested in climbing the taller south tower with me. There is no elevator there, and it was 343 steps to get up to a small, enclosed gift shop about 2/3 of the way up the structure. You are still higher than you were on the other side, though. It took about 12 minutes for the climb. As this is enclosed, the views are more restricted here. There are some nice views, though. I'm not sure this is really worth it, but I'd skipped the bell tower in Bruges last year due to what I thought was price-gouging, so I felt due for a tower climb. The cathedral is one of the signature spots in Vienna, so it is definitely worth a visit. I don't think it was quit in the same league as Notre Dame in Paris or St. Peter's, but it was certainly a place I'd recommend.

My friend and I visited Domkirche St. Stephan a week or so ago when we were in Vienna for vacation together. The Cathedral is a Roman Catholic Church, the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna. The cathedral has some incredible architecture - Romanesque and Gothic - as it dates back to the 12th century. It seemed to be the heart of Vienna - at least as far as tourists are concerned. We must have walked past it three or more times - it's centrally located within Innere Stadt and near a lot of other Vienna attractions. This means that Domkirche is a hot spot for tourists. It was packed - inside the cathedral, outside the cathedral, everywhere. We purchased all-inclusive tickets (25 euros each), which you have to pay for in cash. It includes a self-guided tour of the cathedral, entrance to the south and north towers, the option to join the tour of the catacombs, and more. We enjoyed the tour of the catacombs. The guide did the tour in German and English, and it was interesting and informative. Unfortunately, the cathedral in the afternoon on a Monday was just too crowded to enjoy. We took the elevator up to one of the towers (I can't remember which), because you can only access it by elevator. The wait to go up took 10 or so minutes, because the elevator only fits a few people (maybe 4?). But the wait to get down took even longer. By then, we weren't sure we had time for the other tower (which have been the better tower anyway?). It was interesting, and I did enjoy the catacombs tour and the views from the tower we had time for. But I recommend going as early as possible in the day to avoid the crowds so you can enjoy it.

When in Vienna, this cathedral is a must-see. We started with the tower, which you need to pay for. You enter a narrow, spiral stone staircase that takes you up, and up, and up. 343 steps, to be exact. It doesn't seem like that much, but you're inside what is basically a stone tube with steps made for feet from the 16 and 1700's! By the time you get to the top, you're winded and have had a good workout, but the views are incredible! You can see across the city in every direction, and you get an up close look of the gorgeous cathedral roof. We stayed up there for at least 20 to 30 minutes, just taking everything in (and cooling off). The descent was much easier. We then looked around the outside of the church, taking in all the architectural details. There is a model on the right side of the building as you are facing it, and it gives you a pretty good idea of the layout. Finally, we made our way to the main entrance and entered. St. Stephan's is extremely Gothic in design and it shows, literally everywhere. Pictures will never do it justice. There are just soooo many carvings, frescoes, paintings, and stained glass windows to look at that it can be difficult to take it all in. Of all the churches in Vienna, this is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna. THIS is the church not to miss. 66/2025

The area around St Stephens Cathedral is very touristy, so I felt safe walking around and taking photos of the cathedral late at night. It is an awe-inspiring, gorgeous, gothic behemoth of a building. The female vocals from Rammstein's "Sonne" plays in my head upon tilting my eyes heavenward so that I can absorb St Stephen Cathedral's majesty and take many, many photos capturing the details of its gothic architecture.

Wow... this cathedral is impressive, even by European standards. You can see it from a large distance already and as you come nearer you can see the expanse of this building. The interior as well as the exterior are well maintained. There are just so many details to look at, you could spend hours in here. The grandeur of the past is almost overwhelming. The super high ceilings may make you feel somewhat insignificant. Definitely a must see if you're in the city.

Gorgeous roof on the outside of this church that blasts choral music inside, which I actually love and made the atmosphere celebratory. Turns out Mozart got married here (and I can see why!) Tall stained glass windows. 5 stars!!!

Saw a lovely Vivaldi string quintet at St. Stephan's last night. They are an impeccable group who will play all your favorite Vivaldi classics. The church has outstanding acoustics that are well suited to Vivaldi. The setting is beautiful. Marvel at the grandeur of this historic church while enjoying a sublime concert. The church itself is a delightful gothic confection in the classic basilica plan. It is a wonderful contrast to the later baroque domed churches found around Vienna. Couple of tips. St. Stephans has no public bathrooms. The nearest rest room is across the street in the subway stop. It is a pay bathroom that costs .60 euro to access. Credit card accepted. Go before the show. Also, St. Stephans is not air conditioned and the windows don't open, just the doors. At full capacity in summer it can get quite hot and stuffy inside. The Vivaldi concert lasts about an hour. Dress lightly but casual respectful and bring a paper fan. At the end of the concert the audience gets up all at once to leave through one side entrance at the narthex. If you are still comfortable, give the crowd a few minutes to clear out before you move to leave. Finally, the subway is probably the best way to leave the area. Auto access is limited in this shopping district. A lot of streets are closed off for pedestrian access. You pretty much have to walk out a few blocks to get an uber. Highly recommend.

Gorgeous cathedral that can be seen above the city limits. Stephansplatz square surrounds the cathedral with shops, restaurants, and entertainment. Horse drawn carriages ready to guide you around were on one side of the church. After taking quite a few pics, we headed inside and mass was in session. Limited access once inside unless you were attending mass, but the beautiful organ was playing and the interior of the church was absolutely amazing to look at. The cathedral has a north and south tower you can go up. We went for the south tower which has amazing views of the entire city. Cost was 6.5 euros each and you'll take 343 steep spiral stairs to get to the top. No easy feat, I felt a little dizzy afterwards....but worth it. Once at top, windows open up views to all of Vienna. A small bench area to rest and gift shop are there as well. After our way down, the harvest festival had started on Stephansplatz with a local band playing that were guided by police through the streets. Happy Sunday!

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Construction began in the 12th century, and over the centuries, it evolved with various architectural styles. Mozart was married here, and Haydn's funeral was held here. Beautiful and a must see.

Date of visit: June 6, 2024 We purchased All Inclusive Tickets online as we did not have much in the way of Euros and when on site, only cash is accepted for the various "tours." See my separate review of the Dom Museum Wien, too. Here are reviews of the various elements of the cathedral. Catacombs (Katakombenfuhrung) - You gather inside the church and the guide will narrate in English and German. Our guide did not pause long for questions so if you have any, ask 'em quick! No pictures during the catacombs tour--understandable but a bit disappointing as it's difficult to explain what it is that you are seeing! Many parts are quite dark so I did use my phone camera to illuminate some areas a little better. North Tower (Nordturm) - This is where you can "see" the Pummerin, the largest church bell in Austria. The real view here is that of Vienna as the bell is enclosed behind dirty windows. The elevator is small so suck in your guy before and during the ride! The guides are fun and play great music and it's a 20 second ride so it could certainly be far worse. South Tower (Sudturm) - You would think that after climbing over 300 narrow stairs you would be greeted with wonderful sights and people. And you would be wrong; there is a small gift shop and the views are only through small windows. The cashier here looked like he drowns kittens for fun in his spare time, so if you are wary of the stairs, you could definitely skip this one. All in all a mixed bag here. If you want to do just some of these things and skip others to same some time and money, that is definitely the way to go. And the cathedral itself is free to wander through. We could have done the audio tour of the cathedral but we were a bit audioguided out by this point.

Yelp Review 2023 #13: An Austrian landmark not to be missed. It's a beautiful Catholic Church. Even if you're not Catholic, you'd find this church remarkable from the outside and inside. Sadly, a lot of tourists I've witnessed and encountered here do not have etiquette. Be respectful of church-goers as you would your own place of worship - May it be a mosque, temple or synagogue. You wouldn't want to be praying and wanting some peace and tourists snapping pictures and being loud, right? Take your crying and screaming children out of the church until they've calmed down. This church has been around for centuries. Since the 12th century to be exact. It has not escaped the devastation caused by World War II. The day I visited was the day after Christmas which was also St. Stephen's feast day which means more people came. There's a lot of remarkable features of this church including catacombs that were accidentally discovered only in 2000. (Refer to my catacombs review). The altar is pretty high. The roof is also beautiful. They also have a Christmas market outside the church from November to December.

There is something about these old European churches that really reignites the religious flame within. I wish we had anything like this in the United States, but unfortunately, we do not. Saint Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, while maybe not as gorgeous other cathedrals throughout Europe, is nonetheless fantastic display of beauty and religious expression. When you first enter, you are struck with the sheer magnitude of the interior, as well as the architectural beauty of the building. Admission was free, you could choose to pay for tours if you wanted. highly recommend!

St. Stephen's Cathedral founded in the 12th century is one of the must see highlights when visiting Vienna. Situated in Vienna's historic center at Stephanplatz, this Romanesque church with Gothic additions is quite the site to see. It's listed in the top 10 tallest churches in the world. Admission to the church is FREE, although there are several tours available inside to admire the beauty of this church. One of the unique features of this church are the colorful mosaic roof tiles. A great way to get a closer look at them is to take an elevator (6 euros) up the north tower. You'll also be treated to gorgeous views of Vienna from up there. One can also go up the south tower (343 stairs to the top and no elevator). Overall I enjoyed my visit here and it's one of the must see sites in Vienna. Just a few hundred feet away is another beautiful church worth visiting, St. Peter's (Baroque style).

One of the most gorgeous cathedrals I have been to! I am not religious but I absolutely love visiting churches. What really sets St. Stephan's apart is how dark it is inside. It allows everything inside to shine and it feels like you have walked into something special. The architecture is just unreal. It is so beautiful inside and outside. As you walk around this giant cathedral, you just stare in awe at its beauty. We went right after Christmas and it was a zoo with so many people but the police kept everything in great order and it was easy to get in and out. I did get yelled at by one patron because my 11 year old nephew made a joke about how how many candles he wanted to light and a man came up and started yelling at my for laughing in a church. Was shocked as I have never been into a church and was told you could not laugh. It was a small chuckle at a kid so it felt ridiculous that this man felt it okay to raise his voice and berate someone in a church but a laugh is too much!?!? Crazy! Anyway, if you are ever in Vienna, I would highly suggest visiting as it will not disappoint!

An absolute must see in Vienna. No entrance fee to walk in. The architecture is breathtaking - inside and outside. The stain glass windows are incredible. The tile roof is beautiful as well. I imagine it's gorgeous from an aerial view as well.

This is a MUST see if you are in Vienna. It is hard to miss in the main square but it is stunning. We walked around the entire building to appreciate the architecture. There are so many people around taking photos and selfies of the church. One thing to note we were told about is this is a high traffic area for pick picketing. So make sure to hold onto your belongings! There is no entrance fee to walk in, so I highly recommend going in! Even if you do not practice the Christian faith, you can still appreciate our beautiful the church is.

I saw.A LOT of churches on my trip up the beautiful Danube River (back when Americans could go to Europe!). And this one was my favorite. It was as beautiful on the outside as it was from within. There was so much to see and learn about this religious symbol's 700 history. Vienna is an awesome city and this church is located not far from an outdoor mall and many coffee and bakery shops, so you can spend a whole afternoon visiting this site if you would like. What I loved about this church was is ominous gothic appearance. Very dark, yet inspiring if that makes any sense! There much to see and do in Vienna... but be sure to add a stop at this landmark on your visit to this historic city.

It is always so beautiful to see the almighty Stephansdom in Vienna. I loved the place as kid and still am in aawww when I go back to visit. You always find street entertainer, Fiaker, plenty of fantastic photoshops and yes... tourists. I know Vienna and find the not so touristy gems... it is for sur an unforgettable experience

Highly recommend visiting this gorgeous cathedral when in Vienna. The inside is as beautiful as the outside. The tour is also worth doing.

Domkirche St. Stephan is one of Vienna's most visited sites. It is a must see when arriving in Vienna.

St. Michael's Cathedral was completed in the year 1160, and is one of Vienna's most recognizable symbols. I was surprised to discover that it was free to tour, and photography is allowed. The church is magnificent in EVERY way and a must see while in Vienna

Spectacular Christmas Eve Service. What a delight. The choral ensemble did such a beautiful job it really made for a memorable evening. If you're ever in Vienna at Christmas you should make a point of stopping in.

Another pretty gothic cathedral in Austria. It was under construction when I went to see it, but you can still see the beautiful detailing that went into the steeples and exterior of the church. It hurt my neck looking up at it for so long to check out the detail of the steeples. Entrance inside the church is free, but a fee to enter beyond the entrance way and into the main part of the church.

Absolute must to visit the St. Stephan's cathedral when in Vienna. It's free to enter, but we took a tour of the catacomb which takes you below ground. There's two sections, the old and the new. Very interesting to look at all the tombs and the skulls/bones. It costs 6 euros for adults. The gift shop and the tour only takes cash.

Beautiful cathedral inside and out , highly recommend setting some time while in Venice to explore the inside of the cathedral and grab a ticket to go upstairs for 6 euros to explore the surroundings and get a beautiful view of Venice form above. Such distinguished details all around the cathedral. Fyi , the little gift shop inside only accepts cash . This is a must visit spot in Venice !

St. Stephen's Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. Consecrated in 1147, the current cathedral resides on remains of two prior churches and utilizes both Romanesque and Gothic architecture to create it's unique facade.

Amazing Stephansdom Beautiful Romanesque cathedral that was completed in 1160 AD with later Gothic additions. Saved from complete destruction during WWII when a retreating German officer disregarded a command to fire a hundred shells and leave it in ashes, it sustained major damage from fires in 1945 and underwent rebuilding after the war.

A soaring gothic style cathedral in the center of old town that's taller than everything else in the neighborhood. We visited St Stevens cathedral during a private walking tour of the old town with our Tours by Locals guide Elisabeth. Like all churches in Vienna, there was no fee to enter the building. As we were visiting during the holiday season, there was also a lively Christmas market just outside in the square. Inside you feel the centuries and can imagine what a person attending mass 400 years ago must have felt about the soaring ceiling and long angular lines. For a fee you can rent an audio guide as well as go further into the church itself. Unless you are planning to walk up the approximately 400 stairs to the top of the bell tower, you will probably spent 30 minutes here taking in the sights. We did come back for a second visit and paid to take the elevator to the top of the north tower (a quick ride up once you get through the line -elevator only holds about 5-6 people), for some great views since the weather was fairly nice.

The Stephansdom is such a grand and beautiful church. I must have passed by it at least a dozen times during my stay in Vienna, yet each time, I still couldn't resist snapping a photo. There is a fee to enter, but if you have the Vienna Pass, it's included. What is not included is the tower climb, which is an additional €5.50. When I say "climb", I mean that there is this angry-looking man who rides the elevator up with you, and brings you back down. Not quite sure how he knows when you want to come back down, especially since there were only two other people up there with us, but we got lucky and were able to get back down when we wanted to. Up top, there's really not much to see. You don't get any spectacular views, but you do get to see some of the church roof's detail. Around Christmastime, there's a small Christmas Market along the side - nothing grand but will work if all you're looking to do is drink mulled wine and window shop. I did buy a beautiful glass ornament, which lights up, for about €10 - something I couldn't find at the bigger Christmas market at Rathaus. Also, I'm not sure if it's because if it was Christmas or if it's a year-round thing, but the outside of the church lights up and changes colors at night.

St. Stephan's Cathedral is the focal point of Vienna's city center. The tiled roof is stunning as is its intense Gothic architecture. The crowds here are a bit excessive considering there are several other gorgeous cathedrals nearby such as St. Peter's - which is Baroque in style. Admission is free, but you only can see the inside with free admission. If you want to walk around and explore, there's a modest fee. We did not do the tower climb, which is an additional fee. There's also a catacombs tour, which we skipped. Since we visited during Christmas, there's a little Christmas market outside.

Beautiful church, amazing history. It's free to enter the church but you'll have to pay to enter the main section (nave, chapel, etc.). If you want to better understand the cathedral and what you're looking at, there's a free Rick Steves audio guide which covers this site. Although many people recommend walking up the 343 stairs of the south tower, I found it was not worth the €5/person and vomit inducing vertigo. You basically walk up a dark, narrow spiraling staircase to the "top" (not really the top) to a warm, enclosed room where you can partially see the roof. After going back down and walking around the church did I realize that the north tower would have been a better choice to view the roof tiling. Plus, for the north tower, you can take an elevator up and walk around the entire tower on the balcony in fresh air.

I'm getting old... I'm get tired... I'm intimated by long staircases... Luckily this place has an elevator! (aka Lift) I think it was about €5 to take the elevator up one of the towers. Worth it. Up there you'll get a great view of the city, as well as the church's colorful groovy roof. Far out man...

There is no shortage of beautiful architecture in Europe, and Stephansdom is another example of that. This towering, impressive cathedral is located in the middle of old Vienna and is an imposing structure around the gaggle of modern buildings and the nearby shopping arcade. The second you walk in, it's hard to ignore the beautiful interiors that almost outweigh the exquisite Gothic exterior. The place is clearly still a place of worship based on the tourist to actual worshiper ratio when you step inside. Vienna has no shortage of incredible sights and this place definitely is among my top 5 favorite places that I visited during my stay. Fortunately it doesn't require a major schlep around the city to get here. This beautiful place is near a lot of major landmarks and attractions and the odds of you finding this place as you tour the city is very high. Personally I think anybody would be remiss if they didn't have the opportunity to at least come by and spend some time here.

The most important religious building in Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral is absolutely beautiful with its multi-coloured tile roof, is considered one of the city's most recognizable symbols. I bought some magnet to take home and most had this cathedral in it. During my short stay in Vienna, I listed two locations I must see and this was one of them. During two days I spent here, I came here twice. First was at evening and took some pictures from outside only and the next day, went inside. Pictures I posted here is without any processing. (Except Yelp compressed image as I uploaded here). Since I only had limited time, I didn't get a chance to do any tours they offered. I spent 20 mins or so and took about 20 pictures. I read up on some internet articles prior to my visit, this cathedral witnessed many important events in the past. I like Mozart, he got married here. Standing here thinking about it was such a feeling. I would love to come back here to take time to join some of their tours to witness this historical building and architecture. I really fell in love with Vienna. I hope to have an opportunity to come back again.

Stephansdom stands in Stephansplatz, an ancient square located in the heart of the old city of Vienna, It was built in the 12 century on top the ruins of two previous churches which were themselves constructed over a 4th century Roman cemetery. Named after the Christian Martyr, Saint Stephan, the church was constructed in order to transfer the Catholic See in Austria from St. Peter's in Rome, to the Capital in Vienna. And so not only does it's history run deep, but also it was constructed to be a powerful symbol of religious self determination at the height of Catholic Europe. The cathedral itself dominates the old center of Vienna, with its unique free standing twin spires, and its ornate and colorful tiled roof. If you have the stamina for it, a hike up the 14 flights of the south tower will reveal some spectacular views. The interior of the church is large, with many statues both of stone, and more uniquely of painted wood. It is not only a tourist attraction but it is also a functioning church... the active seat of the arch bishop of Austria, and also the center of the largest parish in Vienna, offering multiple services on Sundays (and more on main holidays) which include amazing organ music and an inspiring mass in German. Another fun experience here is to go down into the old catacombs. It is spooky and inspiring at the same time. Come here in the winter if you can. Snow makes the visage of the dom all the more spectacular.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a beautiful church, and its located in the heart of the city, where the tourists congregate, the horse carriages congregates, where people dressed like Mozart sells you shows, and the panhandlers congregates. I would normally say its worthy of 5 stars except for the part they ask for a separate admission to access the "good" part of the church. Really? What Catholic Church charges people to admire a building built for God and his people? -1 star for that. I'm sorry but either make people pay to begin with, and give full access, or don't charge at all. Otherwise, its another magnificent church in Europe, but with just too much of a commercial appeal outside.

St Stephens Cathedral is Vienna's eye: it rises from the Innerstradt with its 2 massive towers, one that is 450 feet. What really caught my eye is the zig zag pattern of the roof and its 230,000 ceramic tiles. There is so much history to this beautiful cathedral: how it survived WW II,the original Gothic timbered roof burned, the cathedrals bell crashed to the ground, Mozart was baptized in this Cathedral. There is much to see inside especially the treasury which is accessed by elevator. Here lies church art,precious relics and views down in the nave. The nave is massive and contains 77 statues. When I entered the Cathedral I felt peace and took time to reflect: surrounded by the beautiful stain glass windows and wondrous singing from the choir. This Cathedral is a must see when visiting Vienna. There are many tours you can take separately: the nave, catacombs and treasury or a combo tour to see all three and more. Main entrance to the Cathedral is free.

Fascinating church My wife and I recently toured St. Stephen's Cathedral on our visit to Vienna and it was quite impressive to behold. From the ornate embellishments - inside and out - to the sanctuary itself. We did not have time, but you can also take the stairs to the upper parts of the steeple. It was very nice to be able to see it and learn some off the history. Be sure to check it out when you go to Vienna.

The Gothic architecture of this church is incredible especially the exterior. It stunningly towers over the heart of Vienna's upscale city center. We enjoyed sitting at an outdoor cafe to enjoy it's beauty. It's free to enter and see the church however if you want a tour or go up to the tower there is a cost.

I was here almost 30 years ago and did not remember anything about it. Located conveniently above a Metro station. Architecture was awesome and sculpted columns inside were exquisite. When we visited the musical organ was just making single tunes for a long time and bothered my ears after awhile. I joked with my wife maybe they were testing it or letting everyone know that they need €850,000 to restore the organ (listed on its website). The painted glass was unimpressive when compared to others including one at a nearby church.

It is BEAUTIFUL inside! The interior is full of character, history, colors, ahhh! A must see while in Vienna.

Visiting Vienna? You can't miss Stephansdom - it's located in the center of the city and dominates the central plaza and the city skyline. Built on a Roman cemetery, parts of the church date back to the 1200's. Though the church sustained some damage at the end of WWII, it was quickly restored and now serves as the HQ of the Catholic Church in Vienna. Visitors are very welcome - there are no admission costs to visit. You can pay a little bit and tour the crypts or climb the towers if you want to. Otherwise, expect crowds of visitors, especially during tourist season (and even off season!). The side altars have gorgeous art, and there are leaflets that explain things in English if needed. While the interior is absolutely gorgeous (especially the main altar!) the exterior is just as interesting. I love the mismatched towers and the beautiful multi-colored tile roof. We walked all the way around to admire the gargoyles, sculptures and beautiful details. Let's face it, if you're visiting Vienna you literally can't miss Stephansdom - and you shouldn't.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is influenced by both Romanesque and Gothic design, which you can easily tell because it has a vary dark feeling. Now this may not be the most impressive Cathedral I've been in, but there is a lot to look at. The best part about the Cathedral is that it is free to enter (bonus points there!)! The only part you have to pay for is the tour of the catacomb or the lift up one of the tours. I had originally planned on taking a catacomb tour here, but I was super early and didn't feel like waiting around. Instead I paid around €5 to take the lift up to one of the towers, which provided fantastic views of Vienna and of the architecture of the cathedral. I recommend doing this if you have the time.

I recommend the guided tour of the catacombs underneath the church and its adjacent area. The tour costs about $7/person, takes some 20 minutes, and is in German and English. The catacombs hold the remains (bones and dust) of over 10,000 people as well as a collection of famous members of the Habsburg dynasty. Slightly spooky but very interesting. No photography is allowed in the catacombs (but--of course--photos can be found via a quick google image search). The entrance is in the dome and you pay the guide at the end of tour (some combo tickets are available elsewhere).

There is certainly many beautiful churches with their amazing architecture to see all over Europe. If you're visiting Vienna than Stephansdom should be on the to do list. It's marvelous structure should definitely not be missed. I had the fortune to see and pass by Stephansdom throughout my visit in Vienna. As Stephansdom was part of the view from my hotel room. The church can be appreciated it during the day and night. At night the church lights up and has another beauty of it's own. With that being said, I gave it 3 stars because I felt it was partly over-rated with tourist and pricey. I did not pay the admission to enter inside of Stephansdom. Everything I would have seen by paying the over priced admission fee, I have already seen on travel shows or read about it. While the structure of the church was beautiful, you will quickly learn in Europe there are many churches equally if not more majestic. In another part of Vienna, another church called Votivkirche is so under the radar. It's structure was stunning inside and out! Yet because it isn't as well known or advertised there was hardly any tourist there. I think the day I went, there was literally 6-7 tourist inside. Best part of it all, IT IS FREE! That is definitely worth the visit!

St Stephan's Cathedral, one of the major landmarks in Vienna, I grew up looking at a picture of this Church in my Dad's study so it was a pretty surreal experience when I finally saw this place with my own eyes. Vienna has a surprising amount of history and Stephansdom has been part of a lot of it. Saved from destruction by the Germans at the end of WWII when the order to reduce it to ruble was ignored by retreating Capt. Gerhard Klinkicht, unfortunately in April 1945 it caught fire when the Russian troops were entering the city, but much of its historical valuables were protected. Its multicolored tile roof makes this one of the most unique Churches in the Europe and the main tower is prominent in the Vienna skyline. It is said that composer Ludwig Van Beethoven discovered the extent of his deafness when he noticed that birds were flying away from the towers as the bells were tolling, but he couldn't hear them. Among many of he amazing works in the interior of this Cathedral, is the Anton Pilgram pulpit, an amazing Gothic work of art.

If there is one thing that Europe has tons of are beautiful cathedrals, imposing castles, and plenty of statutes/fountains (just look through all of my vacation photo albums). For a non-religious person, I always find myself visiting churches in my travels. If you've seen one church, you've seen them all was definitely not the case with Stephansdom. From the outside, it was undergoing construction and the scaffolding was covered with a tarp of what the cathedral would look like if it wasn't there (there was a picture of the cathedral superimposed on the tarp). I've seen stained glass before, but it creates a stunningly beautiful effect inside of the church (it looks like a color prism projection over the columns and statutes - just look at the pictures). Its definitely a must see while in Vienna and there are plenty of shops/restaurants nearby.

I didn't go on the guided tours, though I did attend mass here and returned to snap some photos I had forgotten to take on that prior visit. it was neat to attend mass in a church that has seen not only Habsburg royalty, but composers such as Haydn, Beethoven, Mozart, and Vivaldi. in retrospect, I should have done the catacombs tour as well, though I missed seeing a sign for that; it sounds pretty interesting. duly noted for a return trip. easy to get to - Stephansplatz is the big U-Bahn stop right here, but realistically you can pretty much walk anywhere in Vienna given enough time and HIGH ENERGY as I have. overall, it was very well-maintained, and security is visible but not oppressive. however, I wish they would do a better job with the guys outside dressed as Mozart selling opera tickets - mostly because they like to crowd by the entrances/exits of the church. yo, I know you gotta hustle to make money, but maybe not try to cause a fire hazard? there is a small shop which sells mostly religious and historical items (rosaries, Bibles, tour books, small statues). I felt that was appropriate - I hate seeing when churches or other historical locations are simply looking to make a quick Eurobuck with cheap trinkets. if you want, you can pay to take an elevator to the top of one of the towers, though I didn't. the location, in the center of the city, didn't really appeal to me for photography. funny enough, a few days later in Budapest I did walk to the top of the similarly-named Saint Stephen's Basilica, which had better, more sweeping views - but that's a story for another day.

This is an absolutely gorgeous church and a must see when you're in Vienna. We came here on an extremely rainy day and the entire area looked simply stunning. Yes it can get pretty crowded if you're going during the middle of the day in broad day light. But somehow, we got every lucky - it wasn't too crowded when we came in. It's such a touring structure that you simply cannot miss it. Definitely come here while you're in the area. A few other attractions to hit while walking by: + Catacombs + Interior Upstairs + Cute shops outside + Sit in a pew and listen to the quiet + Also, don't forget to check out the shops outside and get a few gorgeous pictures. If you're not sure what else to couple this with, might I suggest a mid-afternoon coffee break at Cafe Sacher, home of the original torte? (Just a heads up, it's way too dry, but if you're already this far... you might as well go right?)