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The Gothic Magnificence - St. Stephen's Cathedral
By Anil Gupta
The Stephansdom as the St Stephen's Cathedral is known is an island of Gothic splendor in a sea of Baroque and 19th Century architecture. Almost main part of church dates back to the 14th, 15th, and 16th Centuries. However, the Romanesque "Giant's Doorway" which is situated on the west façade dates back to the early 1200s. The Hochturm or south tower, at 450 feet, has almost the same height as that of a 45-story office building; the marvel is that it was built more than 600 years ago, half a millennium before the invention of the modern skyscraper.
The red-marble sepulcher of Emperor Frederick III, carved by Niclas Gerhaert van Leyden; the pulpit by Anton Pilgram; the Altarpiece of Wiener Neustadt, a Gothic winged altar from 1447 - and the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy, dating from 1754 all this form s the Cathedral.
The pulpit, in the middle of the nave, bears the images of four Latin Church fathers: Ambrose, Jerome, Gregory and Augustine all having full personality. The railing is covered in interesting symbols - the lizards are animals of light, the battle toads are animals of darkness, and the "Dog of the Lord" at the top protects the sermon from their influence. Wheels with three parts representing the Trinity roll up. Wheels with four parts representing the four seasons as well as mortal or worldly life roll down.
The Pummerin bell is one of the largest bells in the world, and was cast from a cannon captured from the Turks in 1683. It rings out over the city on New Year's Eve. One can take the elevator up the north tower to see the bell and get a view of the Vienna Woods.
The south tower is named Alter Steffl, "Old Steve," and was built between 1359 and 1433. The sweeping view of the city from the 450-foot-high tower is worth the 343 steps or elevator ride.
The "O5" engraved into the stone outside the cathedral's enormous front door has important historical significance. The "5" stands for the fifth letter of the alphabet, which added to the "O" makes OE, the abbreviation for Österreich (Austria). It was a covert sign of resistance to the Nazi annexation of Austria.
Stephen's Cathedral defines the city centre and has been the heart of Vienna for centuries. It is one of the most famous Viennese sights and was built in 1147 AD. For a long time it was recognized as highest building in Europe.
There are many myths are about Vienna's famous landmark. One of them is the weird indentation of the wall at the left side of the main entrance, which was used to measure the size of a loaf of bread by discontented customers. Further there is the story of the Servants' Madonna, which once saved an innocent girl from being arrested for stealing. Further inside at the cathedral's apse one can admire the so-called "Zahnwehherrgott" or Lord of tooth ache, an 'ecce homo' statue once situated at the graveyard outside the cathedral. All in all St Stephen's Cathedral is a place worth visiting.
About the Author
Anil Gupta recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.be/city/at/vienna.html?aid=305255 for more information on Vienna hotels.
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