Stephansdom (St. Stephen’s Cathedral)
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Stephansdom is Vienna’s oldest church, built on the site of an ancient graveyard dating back to the fourth century. Its major feature is its high southern tower from which watchmen protected the city and worked as a fire alarm. The northern tower was intended to be just as high but construction on it was halted and it has a ‘temporary’ roof that has been in place for almost 400 years. Stephansdom is also known for its steep, elaborately colour patterned tiled roof. It is also historically important due to the parish’s relationship with Mozart, he was married here, some of his children were baptised here and his funeral was conducted here. A memorial tablet for him has been placed beside the ornate high alter, he was buried without a coffin in a mass communal grave as was the practice of the time. The most popular piece of art in the church’s collection is a painting: the Potscher Madonna, famous for crying. Stephansdom was first a much smaller parish church built initially in 1147 then added to until the beginning of the 16th Century when it took its current form. The dom survived WWII after the commander of the retreating German forces disregarded orders to raise it to the ground. I would recommend you experience this dom inside and out, and climb one of the towers, the obvious choice is the high southern tower with its 343 steps and souvenir stand at the top, which didn‘t add to my experience. The north tower has an elevator. There are guided tours which take in the tombs and the crypt.
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