Vienna - St Stephen's Cathedral

(Local Name: Stephansdom) St Stephen's Cathedral, with its 137m/450ft high spire, is not only the major sight and symbol of Vienna; it is also the city's most important Gothic edifice and has been the cathedral church of the archbishopric since 1722. The cathedral reflects the never ending labors of generations since the 12th C. and represents eight centuries of architectural history. The original Romanesque church was replaced by a Late Romanesque one in the 13th C. All that remains of it are the massive gate and the "Heidentürme" (Heathen Towers). Next came reconstruction in the Gothic style in the 14th C. by Duke Rudolf IV of Habsburg - known as "The Donor". The choir, and the Chapels of St Eligius, St Tirna and St Catherine were completed in that same century, while the south tower, the nave and the Chapel of St Barbara belong to the 15th C. The uncompleted north tower was roofed over in the 16th C. Improvements and further construction followed in the 17th, 18th and 19th C. The roof was destroyed by fire in the final days of the Second World War in 1945. The vaulting of the middle and the right hand side choirs collapsed and the towers were gutted. Reconstruction and restoration went on from 1948 to 1962. It was a communal effort, involving the whole of Austria. The new bell was paid for by Upper Austria, the new floor by Lower Austria, the pews by Vorarlberg, the windows by Tyrol, the candelabra by Carinthia, the communion rail by Burgenland, the tabernacle by Salzburg, the roof by Vienna and the portal by Styria. Today atmospheric pollution is the chief danger, especially the effects of sulfur dioxide. The exterior is being painstakingly cleaned with soft brushes and pure water: chemical cleaners and sand blasting are out of the question, as they would do more harm than good.

The cathedral buildings cover an area of 3,500sq.m/4,186sq.yd. They are 107m/350ft long and 39m/128ft across. The nave is 28m/92ft high. The Heathen Towers are 66m/217ft high, the south tower 137m/450ft and the uncompleted north tower 61m/200ft. The roof, the apex of which is 60m/200ft above ground level, is roofed with 230,000 glazed tiles.