St. Stephen's Cathedral & The North Tower

"When I quote others I do so in order to express my own ideas more clearly."- Michel de Montaigne

(Much of the information I get on my posts are from Rick Steves and the Internet.  You can always read more about anything by googling it.)

Today our travels took us to St. Stephen's Cathedral right in the centre of Vienna.  As I have mentioned before, as we came up the escalators from the subway, this is the view above ground.  Incredible.  To massive to get all in one shot.  

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a Gothic church, the third one on this spot, beginning in the 13th century.

The street, in front and around St. Stephen's is Karntner Strass, a traffic free area that locals know as the same road the Crusaders marched down as they headed for the Holy Lands from St. Stephen's Cathedral in the 12th century.

To the right is the South tower that you can get fantastic views but you will need to climb 343 winding steps to the top. It took 65 years to build it, completion is the year 1433.

The front of this church is the oldest part, approximately 1240 AD.  

During WWII, it appeared that the church may escape major damage, but a Nazi commander ordered  the church to be destroyed.  His orders were never carried out, but the Allied bombings and the fire that came after resulted in the church catching fire.  Much damage occurred.  The roof fell into the church and destroyed much that had not already been packed away to protect it during the WWII.

The nave is more than a football field long and nine stories tall.  No photo will do justice to this view.

A beautiful, intricate carving in wood.  Tiny figures of Mary and Jesus.

Below is a pulpit carved from three separate blocks of sandstone (1550 AD).  The little window (sculpted) under the winding stairs, is a self-portrait of the artist.  

This is Deb's favourite sculpture within the spiral pulpit carvings.

I found myself back in a school tour with high school aged Vienna students.  Fun!

There are 77 life size stone statues in this church!

Including this serene Madonna and child sculpture.  Many people pray at this statue who visit this church.

The bell held within the North tower is the famous "Pummerin" bell.  Made from the cannons (melted down) captured from the Ottomans.

The elaborate tiles on the roof of the cathedral.  This view can be seen when you travel up to the top of the North tower.

A peek at the South tower.

The "Pummerin" bell rings in the New Year in Vienna.

The carriages, from the top of the tower, below waiting for customers.  On such a cold day, would be a great idea.

Views of St. Stephen's Cathedral and the city of Vienna.

The North tower is only about 223 feet.  They stopped building as they needed money to defend themselves in war against the Ottomans.  A very wee, closed in, elevator whisks you up to the top.  About 4 people can fit inside.  When it opens, you find yourself surrounded by fencing, top to bottom, with a view all around and straight down through the grated floor.  Don't look down!

A great view of the gargoyles working as water spouts to clear the roof of rain water.

Another view of the intricate tiles on the roof.  I would not want that job.  It is high and very steep.  The wind is incredible up there.  I was actually scared even though we were completely closed in with wire.

OMG!  It is cold and very, very windy.  Take the picture quickly.

Back safely on ground to make our way through these salesmen.

But more on that on the next post.