Overview:

St. Stephen's Cathedral is a Roman Catholic place of worship located in Passau, Austria on the Austrian-German border. The cathedral was built between 1668 and 1693 and is one of the most important baroque churches in Austria. It was built in the form of a Latin cross and is 95 meters long by 57 meters wide. It features a high dome that stands at over 130 meters in height. The interior is decorated with frescoes, gilded ornamentation, and opulent altars. The cathedral also features several whimsical gargoyles and an impressive sculpture of St. Stephen himself. The cathedral is also home to one of the largest organs in the world with over 17,000 pipes. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Austria
Prominent Features:

1. Gothic architecture: St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a spectacular example of Gothic architecture, boasting awe-inspiring spires and pointed arches dating back to the 13th century. 2. Baroque façade: In the 18th century, the facade of St. Stephen’s Cathedral was redesigned in beautiful baroque style by architect Johann Georg Bergmüller. 3. Historic pipe organ: Located on the balcony of the cathedral, the pipe organ was installed between 1668 and 1701 and was restored in the 1920s. 4. Fresco ceiling: The ceiling of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is covered in magnificent frescoes, created between 1707 and 1709 by the Brothers Hans and Martin Schrotter. 5. Tower: The main tower of this cathedral can be seen up to 30 miles away and stands at an impressive height of 52 meters. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Austria.

History:

St. Stephen's Cathedral in Passau, Austria, was built in the early 17th century and originally named St. Stephen's Collegiate Church. It is one of the most beautiful baroque churches in the country and is considered to be a masterpiece of the baroque style. It was designed by the famous Italian architect Lorenzo Sabbatini and constructed between 1668 and 1705. The exterior of the church is composed of a unified façade, which has some of the most beautiful sculptures, stucco works, and bas-reliefs from the period. The facade, which was completed in 1707, features a large central portal designed by the Baroque sculptor Johann Baptist Straub. It has a pair of great doors flanked by two angel figures, each holding a staff and a flaming torch. Above these stands a huge figure of St. Stephen with a miniature replica of the dome of the church set in his left hand. Flanking figures of the four evangelists and the four Latin Fathers of the Church stand in line to either side. The interior of the church is just as ornate and impressive as the exterior, with its high-vaulted ceiling, magnificent marble altars, and fabulous frescoes. The main altar, which was built by Balthasar Vogt in 1710, is made of marble and features a painting of St. Stephen by the 18th century painter Martin Johann Schmidt. The chancel area also has a tall and beautiful marble pulpit designed by Vogt with statues of St. Peter, St. Paul, and St. Stephen. St. Stephen's Cathedral has been the center of religious life in the small city of Passau since its completion and is a major tourist attraction today. It is one of three major baroque churches in the city and has been the site of important religious events such as the ordination of priests and the installation of Archbishops. Visit one of the famous monuments of Austria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Passau, Austria is considered one of the most ornate and beautiful Baroque churches in the world. 2. The church was built between 1668 and 1711 by architect Lorenz de Geitner and painter Paul Troger. 3. The cathedral houses more than 500 years worth of artworks and the ancient organs of J.B. Stelzhammer making it a must visit destination for any music lover. 4. Inside the church there is an ornamented marble pulpit from the year 1667, a Baroque baptistery and a sepulchral monument to Ramsauer, the builder of the Cathedral's dome. 5. St. Stephen’s Cathedral is located in the historic city center of Passau, making it a unique stop on the Danube River cruise route. 6. The medieval city of Passau, where the Danube, Inn and Ilz Rivers meet, is often referred to as the “City of Three Rivers” or the “Venice of Bavaria.” 7. The colorful terracotta roof was re-tiled with over 160,000 handmade ceramic tiles from the Passau area in 2008. One of the historical monuments of Austria, it tells the story of a bygone era