Tourists who come to Vienna for the first time, hurry to the historic part of the city – to the square of St. Stephen, which is considered the patron saint of the Austrian capital. There is a monument of Gothic and Romanesque architecture – the medieval church and the Catholic cathedral of the same name, which has become a national symbol of the country.

St. Stephen's Cathedral is over 800 years old. During this time, it has survived several fires, rebuilds, and extensions. The temple was founded in 1137 but got its present appearance only at the beginning of the 16th century. Today, the main aisle is 110 m long, and the sloping roof, covered with bright patterned tiles, is 37.85 m high. The cathedral has the shape of a Latin cross, complemented by two towers. There are two towers. It took almost a hundred years to build the majestic South Tower, whose height is 137 m, and the North Tower was never completed: it collapsed during construction, and later suffered from a fire in 1945. Today, it is decorated with a Renaissance-style dome. Due to the huge difference in height and appearance of the towers, the cathedral looks asymmetrical. But it is still one of the ten tallest churches in the world.

The cathedral has not only an impressive appearance but also a rich interior decoration: a variety of altars, icons, shrines, sculptures, tombs, and even three organs. One could easily write an entire book about all the decorations. In order not to miss any important relics, buy the ticket with an audio guide in advance.

Lovers of spectacular views can climb to the observation decks located in each of the towers. But before going to the southern viewing platform, you need to dress comfortably and adequately assess your strength – it takes 343 steps to get there. Thrill-seekers will love the catacombs with the underground cemetery under the cathedral. To visit the above-ground and underground attractions, you can buy a single ticket. Besides, it even includes the services of a guide.

Not far from St. Stephen's Cathedral, there is the Baroque Peterskirche (St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church), where you can continue your acquaintance with the history and architecture of Vienna.