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Vienna: St. Stephen's Cathedral & Dom Museum Wien Tickets
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One of Vienna’s iconic monuments is the magnificent St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom in German) on the central Stephansplatz square: this Gothic masterpiece whose origins date back to the 11th century represents the geographical and emotional heart of the Austrian capital.
The Vienna Cathedral, affectionately called Steffl by the Viennese, is not only an important place of worship or a church with magnificent architecture that fears no comparison with the most famous cathedrals in other European capitals: it is a true national emblem and a symbol of Austrian identity.
For the tourist, it is a must-see attraction, but then again, it is really hard not to notice it, thanks to its prominent spires and towers soaring into the Vienna sky.
If this were not enough, you can easily recognise the cathedral by its roof: its colourful glazed tiles form the solemn images of the two-headed eagle, symbol of the Habsburg empire, the coat of arms of the city of Vienna and that of Austria.
The Cathedral was the scene of crucial historical events: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart married Constanze Weber here on 4 August 1782 and his funeral was held here in 1791. During the Second World War, a devastating fire in April 1945 destroyed large parts of the building, including the valuable 19th-century organ and the Pummerin bell. The reconstruction, completed in just seven years thanks to the determination of the Viennese, gave the city back its most beloved symbol.
Before entering St Stephen‘ s Cathedral, take some time to admire its impressive façade and exterior walls, but don’t let the Gothic frescoes, tombstones, skulls and bones scare you away!
The best view of the colourful roof of the cathedral is from the north-eastern side of the square, from where you can take outstanding photographs.
The main entrance to the Cathedral is through the Giants’ Portal (Riesentor), one of the few surviving elements of the original 12th century Romanesque structure. The name comes from a curious legend: during construction work, a mammoth bone was found that the Viennese of the time believed belonged to one of the biblical giants that drowned during the Great Flood.
On either side of the portal stand the Pagan Towers (Heidentürme), 65 metres high and so called according to some because they were built on the site of a former pagan temple, according to others because of their resemblance to Muslim minarets. These twin towers are the most significant testimony to the original Romanesque architecture and provide a fascinating contrast to the Gothic spires that characterise the rest of the building.
The South Tower, nicknamed Steffl after the entire cathedral, is the true pride of the Viennese. At 136.44 metres high, it is the third highest Gothic bell tower in the world and is a constant landmark in the cityscape. The tower was started in 1359 under Rudolf IV and completed in the 15th century, becoming a symbol of Vienna’s ambition and power.
To reach the 72-metre-high Türmerstube (guard’s office), you have to climb 343 steps via a narrow spiral staircase. The effort is amply rewarded by the breathtaking panoramic view over the rooftops of Vienna’s old town and beyond. At one time, the city was constantly observed from this position to spot fires and potential dangers; today it is one of the most spectacular vantage points in the Austrian capital.
The 68-metre-high North Tower (Adlerturm or Eagle Tower) has a special architectural history. Started in 1467 in Gothic style with the ambition to surpass its twin tower in height, it remained unfinished and was only completed in the 16th century with a Renaissance dome, creating a fascinating stylistic contrast to the asymmetrical silhouette of the Cathedral.
The tower houses the famous Pummerin, one of the largest swinging bells in Europe, weighing 21 tonnes. The original bell was cast in 1711 using Turkish cannons abandoned after the failed siege of Vienna in 1683, symbolically transforming the instruments of war into a message of peace. Destroyed in the fire of 1945, the Pummerin was recast from its remains and reinstalled in the north tower in 1957. Its solemn sound only resounds on special occasions such as New Year’s Eve and major religious holidays.
The roof of the cathedral is a unique artistic masterpiece, consisting of more than 230,000 polychrome glazed tiles arranged to form a magnificent mosaic. The double-headed eagle, the symbol of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, stands out on the south side, while the coat of arms of Vienna and Austria are depicted on the north side, testifying to the indissoluble link between the cathedral and national identity.
The particular slope of the roof is not only aesthetic but also functional: it allows for natural cleaning by rainwater, maintaining the vivid colours of the green, yellow and black tiles. After the devastating damage of the war, the roof was completely rebuilt between 1948 and 1952 using traditional techniques, giving the cathedral back its unmistakable appearance that continues to fascinate millions of visitors.
The interior of the Cathedral impresses with the dizzying height of the Gothic vaults that create a sense of spiritual elevation. The nave is flanked by 18 altars and numerous side chapels, each decorated with works of art from different eras. Neo-Gothic stained glass windows filter the light, creating a mystical atmosphere that is particularly impressive during the morning hours.
Anton Pilgram’s Pulpit from 1515 is considered one of the masterpieces of European Gothic art. Made of finely carved limestone, the pulpit features the four Church Fathers on the parapets, while at the base is the sculptor’s self-portrait looking out of the window, a very rare detail for the time. The work bears witness to the extraordinary skill of the Viennese craftsmen of the late Gothic period.
The cathedral catacombs extend beneath Stephansplatz and are one of the most atmospheric and mysterious places in Vienna. Excavated in the 18th century when the old parish cemeteries were closed for hygienic reasons, they house the remains of over 10,000 Viennese, including thousands of victims of the plague that periodically ravaged the city.
The Ducal Crypt houses the remains of Rudolf IV, the founder of the Gothic cathedral, and other members of the Habsburg family. A special section houses urns with the internal organs of numerous emperors and archdukes, extracted during the embalming process. In the Barbarakapelle there is a moving reliquary containing ashes from the Auschwitz concentration camp, a testimony to the horrors of the 20th century and an everlasting warning against barbarity.
Enjoy an elegant concert in Vienna in one of the most beautiful neoclassical buildings in the Austrian capital. Marvel at the treasures of classical music in St Stephen’s Cathedral, where Mozart and Haydn once played.
Access to the main nave of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is free of charge and allows visitors to admire the Gothic architecture, altars and side chapels. However, during religious services, the visit is limited to the initial part of the church out of respect for liturgical celebrations.
To visit the central area of the Cathedral, which includes the presbytery and the innermost chapels, it is necessary to purchase a ticket with reduced rates for children up to 14 years of age. The South Tower (Steffl) and the North Tower with the Pummerin bell require separate tickets, also with reduced rates for young visitors aged 6 to 14.
The Catacombs can only be visited on guided tours that start at set times during the day. It is possible to buy combined tickets that give access to several areas of the complex at a saving compared to buying them separately.
The Vienna City Card offers discounts on admission to Schönbrunn Palace, and is included with the Vienna Pass, which includes access to all ticketed areas of the Cathedral, making it an affordable option for those planning to visit multiple attractions in the city.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is open daily from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (Sundays and holidays from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.), allowing the faithful to participate in the many daily liturgical celebrations and visitors to admire the majesty of the cathedral at different times of the day.
The central paid area is accessible from 9 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4.30 p.m., with closure during the lunch break to allow for religious services. The south and north towers can be visited from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, weather permitting, as adverse weather conditions can make the ascent to the south tower via the narrow spiral staircase dangerous.
Guided tours of the Catacombs take place at set times throughout the year, with more frequent tours in the summer months when tourist numbers are higher. We recommend visiting the Cathedral early in the morning on weekdays to avoid the crowds and enjoy the cathedral’s more intimate and spiritual atmosphere.
For a complete visit including the main nave, the climb to the South Tower and the descent into the Catacombs, 2-3 hours are recommended, while a quick tour of the church alone takes about 30-45 minutes.
St Stephen‘ s Cathedral is located in the absolute heart of Vienna, on Stephansplatz in the pedestrianised Innere Stadt. Its central location makes it the perfect reference point for finding your way around the city and getting to all the main attractions in the centre.
The Stephansplatz underground station on the U1 and U3 lines is located directly below the cathedral square, making access extremely convenient from anywhere in the city. From Schönbrunn Palace take the U4 to Karlsplatz, then change to the U1 for one stop to Stephansplatz, a total journey of approximately 20 minutes.
From the Belvedere you can take tram D to the Ringstraße, then walk 5 minutes through elegant shopping streets such as Kärntner Straße, a pedestrian street that leads directly to the cathedral. Bus lines 1A, 2A and 3A all stop at Stephansplatz, offering extensive connections to the surrounding districts.
From the Hofburg Palace, the cathedral is only a 5-minute walk through Graben and Rotenturmstraße, two of Vienna’s most elegant streets. The entire Innere Stadt is completely pedestrianised, so a car is not a practical option, but this makes walking through the historic streets to the cathedral a pleasure.
On the site where St. Stephen’s Cathedral stands today, a Romanesque-style church existed as early as the 11th century.
All that remains of that early construction are the Pagan Towers (Heidentürme), so called because they were built on the site of a former pagan temple, and the Giant’s Gate (Riesentor), which today forms the main entrance on the western side of the Cathedral.
In 1359, Duke Rudolf IV of Habsburg initiated the work that would transform the church into a splendid Gothic cathedral: he himself laid the foundation stone, thus earning himself the nickname ‘Founder’.
Some distinctive elements of the cathedral were added later: the impressive south tower, visible almost from anywhere in the city, dates back to 1433; the finely inlaid pulpit by the artist Anton Pilgram is from 1515; the north tower was completed in 1579; the Pummerin bell was not added until 1952.
In 1945, a fire severely damaged the cathedral, but it was rebuilt in a record time of three years thanks to generous donations from all over Austria.
Today, the cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna and can be visited when there are no religious ceremonies or state occasions.
St Stephen's Cathedral is located at Stephansplatz 3 in the heart of Vienna's historic centre, in the 1st district (Innere Stadt).
City Card allow you to save on public transport and / or on the entrances to the main tourist attractions.
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