{"id":5430,"date":"2018-08-24T09:51:05","date_gmt":"2018-08-24T08:51:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=5430"},"modified":"2025-04-21T11:02:13","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T10:02:13","slug":"south-tower-stephansdom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/south-tower-stephansdom\/","title":{"rendered":"The Stephansdom South Tower"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><a href=\"#tickets\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/southtowertickets.jpg\" alt=\"South tower sky view\" class=\"wp-image-43495\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The South Tower of Stephansdom cathedral features prominently on the list of places to enjoy views of Vienna. Unlike many alternatives, though, it&#8217;s right in the centre. So you get an aerial perspective of the very heart of the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Narrow climb up, but spectacular views<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It&#8217;s a lot of steps, mind you (no lift)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tower ticket available on site (cash only)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book all-inclusive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/st-stephens-cathedral-tickets-l145760\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_Steph\" rel=\"sponsored\">cathedral tickets<\/a>* in advance<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/stephanskirche.at\/calendar.php\">calendar<\/a> for any days with limited entry times<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stefansdom\/\">Stephansdom cathedral overview<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/where-to-get-the-best-views-of-the-city\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4922\">Best views of Vienna<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Inside the tower<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/southtower.jpg\" alt=\"South tower at twlight with the Himmelsleiter installation\" class=\"wp-image-43501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/southtower.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/southtower-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The cathedral&#8217;s south tower is on the right of the picture with the temporary Himmelsleiter &#8220;heaven&#8217;s ladder&#8221; installation visible)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rather unhelpfully, medieval builders failed to install lifts in their constructions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So reaching the &#8220;top&#8221; (it&#8217;s not the very top) of Stephansdom cathedral&#8217;s South Tower involves a 67m climb and 343 steps that wind up a dusky, narrow staircase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You might ask why you&#8217;d want to put yourself through that?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well, the stairs take you up to a top chamber that served as an observational post for watchmen and firefighters from the 1400s right through into the 20th century. It played a special role in the two sieges of 1529 and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/the-1683-siege-of-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"29264\">1683<\/a>, for example. So a true journey into history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Perhaps more importantly, the same chamber offers splendid views across Vienna in all directions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><<div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-slug-ids=\"exp206741,exp145760\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_Stephans\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>To the west, look down on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/peterskirche\/\">Peterskirche<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/hofburg\/\">Hofburg<\/a>, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/rathaus-2\/\">Rathaus<\/a>, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/votivkirche\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"27630\">Votivkirche<\/a>. To the south, Karlsplatz. To the east, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sightseeing\/vienna-museums\/belvedere\/\">Belvedere Palace<\/a>. And, to the north, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/prater\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"35726\">Prater<\/a>, United Nations and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/the-donauturm-danube-tower\/\">Danube Tower<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because Stephansdom cathedral is, obviously, slap bang in the middle of the city, you also get a feel for old Vienna out the tower windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You see the true scale of the Hofburg palace complex and the Graben shopping street below, enjoy sneak peeks into ivy-clad courtyards, and discover the hidden rooftop gardens of those able to afford an apartment in the very centre. (Not me.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If that&#8217;s not enough, how about a closer view of the thousands of glazed tiles that give the cathedral its distinctive and colourful roof?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Another treat comes from spotting those architectural touches barely visible from the ground. The journey up provides glimpses of little statues and gothic gargoyles.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"337\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/southtowertop.jpg\" alt=\"Installation of the top of the Stephansdom South Tower\" class=\"wp-image-32625\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/southtowertop.jpg 337w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/southtowertop-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 337px) 100vw, 337px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Preparing for the installation of the new top of Stephansdom&#8217;s South Tower on August 18th 1864, photographed by Andreas Groll; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 32659; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A small shop stood at the top on my visit, selling postcards and souvenirs (but no cold drinks, which I would have paid a lot of money for after a hot midsummer climb).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tickets\">Tickets &amp; visitor tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adults pay \u20ac6.50 to go up at the time of writing, with a ticket counter at the foot of the tower: this takes cash only at the time of writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternatively, consider purchasing a combination ticket (on site or online in advance) that includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All ticketed parts of the cathedral (both towers, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stephansdom-catacombs\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5459\">catacombs tour<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stephansdom-tour\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5420\">access<\/a> to the main nave and altar)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The neighbouring <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/museums\/dom-museum\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"5640\">Dom Museum<\/a> with its art and historical artefacts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Booking service provided by Tiqets.com*, who I am an affiliate of)<\/p><div data-tiqets-widget=\"availability\" data-product-id=\"982496\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"AW_Sdom\" data-layout=\"full\"><\/div><script defer=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(NB: Check the <a href=\"https:\/\/stephanskirche.at\/calendar.php\">cathedral calendar<\/a> for occasional service-related limits on visiting times)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Note that the spiral staircase is fairly narrow, which makes for a lot of winding turns. However, benches at the top allow you to take a breather before the trip down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you can&#8217;t manage the steps (it&#8217;s not an easy climb, so you need to be fit enough), the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/north-tower-stephansdom\/\">North Tower<\/a> has a lift. The view is not quite so high or clear at the top, but you get a better look at the wonderful roof tiles. And you get close to the huge Pummerin bell that rings in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/new-years-eve\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"6832\">the New Year<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I also have a number of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/where-to-get-the-best-views-of-the-city\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4922\">other suggestions<\/a> for getting top views of the city from above.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to the South Tower<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The main article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/stefansdom\/\">Stephansdom<\/a> has travel tips; you access the South Tower from the outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When you face the main doors into the cathedral, go around to the right until you reach the marked tower entrance towards the far end of the building.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Incidentally, a few steps further on takes you to the rather nice <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/eatingdrinking\/cafespubsbars\/haasandhaas\/\">Haas&amp;Haas tea rooms<\/a>. Just in case you need a refreshing cup of Earl Grey and a cucumber sandwich after all that exertion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Stephansdom, Stephansplatz, 1010 Vienna<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1IxPFEhDg3FsX7IS7iCoTg5wgA-9Mi0Cq\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The South Tower of Stephansdom cathedral features prominently on the list of places to enjoy views of Vienna. Unlike many alternatives, though, it&#8217;s right in the centre. So you get an aerial perspective of the very heart of the city. Inside the tower (The cathedral&#8217;s south tower is on the right of the picture with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35094,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-5430","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sights","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5430","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5430"}],"version-history":[{"count":34,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5430\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82568,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5430\/revisions\/82568"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35094"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5430"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5430"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5430"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}