Anchoring the heart of Vienna, Stephansplatz is the city’s busiest and most recognised square in the city. It draws its name from the Stephansdom Cathedral, which towers above the city and is renowned as one of the tallest churches in the world. Ascend the tower and admire stunning views over Vienna, or stay at ground level and enjoy the square’s museums, cafes, restaurants and shops.
For architecture enthusiasts, the striking Haas-Haus building is one of Europe’s most controversial projects. While some were fast to criticise the combination of ultra-modern steel and glass with a medieval cathedral, most credit architect Hans Hollein for his harmonious fusion of old and new.
The U-Bahn station is the beating heart of both Vienna, and Stephansplatz. It’s one of the city’s busiest stations and connects the U1 and U3 underground lines. Stephansplatz is an easy walk from most major city attractions, including the exclusive shopping precincts of Graben and Kohlmarkt. From the Naschmarket, Stephansplatz is a scenic 20-minute walk past some of the city’s most iconic buildings.
While today Stephansplatz is one of Europe’s busiest squares, it was once used as a graveyard. Today, visitors can descend into Stephansplatz’s ghostly past by signing up for a tour of the cathedral’s catacombs. In 1973 U-Bahn excavations revealed even more insight into what lies beneath Stephansplatz, with historians finding a medieval chapel that was later converted into a family crypt.