ABSTRACT
"A Cathedral is more than a pile of stones." Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral is not only one of the first rate cultural monuments in Europe but appears to be the Austrian symbol most Austrians can identify with. St. Stephen's Cathedral is situated in the heart of Vienna and there is something about it that is difficult to put into words. One of the great counselors at St. Stephen's described the Cathedral as "resounding with prayers," as St. Stephen's is a spiritual center and place of reflection and contemplation not least of all because of the variety of services offered. Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral is much older than it was assumed years ago. The Romanesque church, which was consecrated in 1147, was preceded by three other buildings. Duke Rudolf IV., also called "The Founder," and Emperor Friedrich III. rendered outstanding services to St. Stephen's cathedral. Since the reconstruction of St. Stephen's Cathedral after its destruction during WW II, St. Stephen's has been the symbol of the rebuilding of Austria as a free and independent state. The Cathedral's outer appearance is characterized by the southern tower, which is 137m high, and the roof, which is covered with colorful roof tiles. On the inside, St. Stephen's Cathedral captivates with its Baroque, Gothic, and Renaissance works of art: the altarpiece of the high altar, the pulpit with the self-portrait of the unknown craftsman (called "Fenstergucker"), the huge gate and the tomb of Emperor Friedrich III. are only a few examples. Weighing 22 tons, the "Pummerin" is the biggest and heaviest bell in Austria and hangs in the unfinished Northern tower. In 1697, the highly worshipped icon "Maria Pocs" was transferred to St. Stephen's Cathedral. The Cathedral is far more than just a cultural or historical monument. St. Stephen's is a house of God, a kerygma carved in stone, a sign of God's presence in today's world.
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Vienna's history dates back 2000 years. At the site of the former Roman camp Vindobona, the Babenberger dynasty built a new city, which was embellished on a grand scale by the House of Habsburg with the support of the Viennese population. Under the rule of the House of Habsburg, many famous church buildings were constructed, such as Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral, which still constitutes the city center. Since the reconstruction of St. Stephen's after its deconstruction in World War II, the Cathedral has been the symbol of the rebuilding of Austria as a free and independent state. The "Pummerin," the big bell of St. Stephen's, constitutes the resounding symbol of Austria as a whole and the city of Vienna in particular. Financially supported by the provinces and foreign sponsors, the reconstruction and preservation of St. Stephen's is the main aim. Above all, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a house of God, which provides space for people of various denominations to pray and meditate, and thus is a symbol of God's presence in today's world.
Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral, the "living room" of the Viennese population, does not have this puristic style typical for French cathedrals, and many churches in Italy may surpass St. Stephen's when it comes to world-famous works of art. But still, situated at the heart of Vienna, there is something about St. Stephen's that is difficult to put into words. One of the great counselors at St. Stephen's described the Cathedral as "resounding with prayers." There are church services held on a regular basis: seven services on a normal weekday and nine on Sundays and Feasts, and there is a possibility of going to confession every day.
According to latest scientific research, St. Stephen's Cathedral is much older than it was assumed years ago. Three other church buildings preceded the first church called St. Stephen's, which was built in the Romanesque style. St. Stephen's was first mentioned in records in 1137. In 1147, the Romanesque church was consecrated by Bishop Reginbert of Passau. Between 1230 and 1250, the church was rebuilt. From this building period, the western façade and the two so-called "pagan towers," which are 65 m high, are preserved. Also the huge entrance gate dates back to the 13th century. The gate, which was worked over and over again, conveys highly theological symbolism: at the center of the tympanum, Christ, wearing a halo, is portrayed as the ruler and savior of the world who blesses those entering St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Under the reign of Duke Albrecht "The Lame" new choir stalls were built. The Viennese population supported the building process effectively with charitable foundations or leaving their fortunes to the church in their wills. In 1340, the choir stalls were finished and were consecrated by Bishop Albert of Passau, Duke of Saxony, on April 23, 1340. In a complicated founding process, Duke Rudolph IV., called "The Founder," established a cathedral chapter which was independent of the Archbishopric of Passau and was led by a provost who had been given the status of a prince - so Vienna had reached the preliminary stage of becoming an independent diocese. In 1359, the very same Duke Rudolph laid the foundations of the southern tower and started the extension of the Cathedral in Gothic style. On October 10, 1433, the 137-meter high southern tower was finished, and so Vienna was in possession of the highest church tower in Europe for several years. From 1440 to 1474, the Gothic roof truss was built, which rises 37 meters above the nave and 25 meters above the choir stalls. The whole roofage covers around 10.000 square meters and the pattern consisting of 230.000 colourfully glazed tiles was based on the pattern of a Persian carpet.
In 1450, Emperor Frederick III. laid the foundations of the 62-meter high Northern tower, which was never finished. In 1511, the construction activities were interrupted due to the Turkish troops marching on Vienna. The means available were used to consolidate the Vienna City fortification walls. In 1578, a Renaissance roof was built on the Northern tower to accommodate the "Pummerin," the most famous bell in Austria which weighs almost 22 tons.
Due to the efforts of Frederick III., His Holiness Paul II. issued the Papal Bull "In Supremae Dignitatis Specula" establishing the diocese of Vienna on January 8, 1469 - in 1722, the diocese was turned into a Archbishopric.
The façade statues are mostly copies dating back to the 19th century. They portray various saints as well as ancestors of Duke Rudolph IV. Notable are the many grave stones on the outer walls, remnants of the former graveyard, which surrounded St. Stephen's Cathedral until 1732.
The Cathedral's outer appearance is characterized by the roof with its colorful roof tiles and the southern tower, which is commonly known as "Steffl." No matter from which side one approaches the Cathedral, St. Stephen's never comes fully into view and the viewer always gets a new view of the Cathedral.
On the inside, the St. Stephen's Cathedral mainly captivates with its Baroque altars. In 1647, the two brothers Johann Jacob and Tobias Pock created the Early-Baroque high altar with its depiction of the martyrdom of St. Stephen, the Cathedrals patron. In 1697, the highly worshipped icon "Maria Pocs" was transferred to St. Stephen's Cathedral. Several works of art from the Gothic period and the Renaissance are preserved: for instance, the pulpit with the depiction of Doctors of the Catholic Church and the self-portrait of the unknown craftsman called "Fenstergucker" (built around 1500), the altar canopies, the tomb of Emperor Frederick III. (finished in 1513), and the Gothic windows in the nave.
In the last days of World War II., flying sparks from surrounding houses caused a disastrous fire which destroyed the roof including the roof truss. The arches in the middle and at the southern side of the nave collapsed and so almost 45% of the original building were destroyed. Additionally, almost all bells, the organ, the Emperors' Oratorios, the Gothic choir stalls and many other significant works of art were lost. With the active help of the Viennese population, all the other Austrian provinces and foreign sponsors the nave could be restored until 1948 and the whole Cathedral was reopened in 1952.
Vienna's St. Stephen's Cathedral is not only one of the fist rate cultural monuments in Europe but appears to be the Austrian symbol most Austrians can identify with. Up until today, it has been the citizens of this country and this city who support St. Stephen's Cathedral and thus keep the Cathedral alive. St. Stephen's has been a Cathedral "resounding with prayers" for centuries and has not lost its typical character and atmosphere despite suffering great damage. May the huge gate be open for everyone inviting people to marvel at the works of art or to pray and meditate.
In 1457, Aenaes Silvius Picolomini, adviser of Frederick III and later Pius II., wrote: "St.Stephen's Cathedral is so gorgeous - one is at a loss for words." The Cathedral is far more than just a cultural or historical monument. St. Stephen's is a house of God, a kerygma carved in stone.
Reinhard H. Gruber
Archivist at St.Stephen's Cathedral
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