Lyla Lindsey
Austria is home to several cathedrals, including St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Graz Cathedral in Graz, Feldkirch Cathedral in Feldkirch, and Gurk Cathedral in Gurk. St. Stephen's Cathedral, the most important religious building in Vienna, is known for its ornately patterned, multi-coloured tile roof. The roof is covered in 230,000 glazed tiles forming various symbols and shapes, including the double-headed eagle of the Habsburg dynasty, the coat of arms of the City of Vienna, and the coat of arms of the Republic of Austria.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Tiles | 230,000 |
| Tile Type | Glazed |
| Tile Colours | Green, Blue, Yellow, Black |
| Tile Patterns | Herringbone, Diamonds |
| Roof Length | 364 ft |
| Roof Height | 38 m |
| Roof Features | Double-Headed Eagle, Coat of Arms of Vienna, Coat of Arms of the Republic of Austria |
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What You'll Learn
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna is a Romanesque and Gothic structure that stands on the ruins of two earlier churches, the first of which was consecrated in 1147. It is the most important religious building in Vienna and has been the site of many significant events in Austrian and Habsburg history. The cathedral has hosted the weddings and funerals of numerous notable figures, including royalty, musicians, and members of the House of Habsburg. As a result, it has become a symbol of Vienna and one of its most recognisable landmarks, even featuring on the packaging of the Manner-Schnitten wafer treat.
The cathedral's ornately patterned and richly coloured roof is a glorious sight. At 111 metres long, it is covered with 230,000 glazed tiles. These tiles form a mosaic of the double-headed eagle, symbolic of the Habsburg dynasty, on the south side of the building. Meanwhile, the north side depicts the coats of arms of both the City of Vienna and the Republic of Austria. The roof is so steep that it is naturally cleaned by rainfall and rarely accumulates snow.
In 1945, a fire caused by World War II damage to nearby buildings spread to the north tower of the cathedral, destroying the wooden framework of the roof. The original bracing for such a large roof (rising 38 metres above the floor) would have been prohibitively expensive to replicate, so over 600 metric tons of steel bracing were used instead.
St. Stephen's Cathedral also boasts an impressive organ tradition. The first organ was mentioned in 1334, and the cathedral now houses several impressive instruments, including a large electric-action pipe organ and a mechanical choir organ. The cathedral's tower room, accessible via 343 steps, offers a panoramic view of Vienna and houses 13 bells, including the Pummerin, the second-biggest free-swinging chimed church bell in Europe.
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Graz Cathedral, Graz
Graz Cathedral, also called St Giles' Cathedral, is a dedication to Saint Giles or Saint Aegydius. It is located in the Austrian city of Graz and is the seat of the bishop of the Steiermark diocese. The cathedral was built between 1438 and 1462 by Emperor Frederick III in the Gothic architectural style. It was constructed outside the city walls as a fortified church. The exterior of the cathedral is described as sober, but it once featured painted facades in the Gothic style. One notable feature is the Gottesplagenbild ("God's Plagues"), a preserved fresco that refers to a year of horrors in 1480 when Graz was struck by three plagues: locusts, war, and the Black Death. This fresco is considered a masterpiece of Gothic fresco painting and serves as a plea for forgiveness and reconciliation.
The interior of Graz Cathedral harmoniously blends Gothic architecture with Baroque furnishings. The Jesuits, who owned the church for nearly 200 years, made alterations in the Baroque style, including the impressive high altar designed by Georg Kraxner. The pulpit, choir stalls, and pews are also of notable quality. The cathedral houses several precious objects, including two reliquaries located on either side of the chancel entrance. These reliquaries were once bridal chests belonging to Paola Gonzaga, who married Leonhard of Gorizia in 1477. The inlays in bone and ivory represent a poem by Petrarca, "I Trionfi," and are believed to have been crafted by the artist Andrea Mantegna.
The cathedral features a multitude of ecclesiastical and historical treasures, including statues, carved pews, and golden-plated statues. The organ, built in 1978, boasts 5,354 pipes and 73 stops, filling the cathedral with music during services and organ concerts. The cathedral's atmospheric medieval setting, combined with its architectural marvels, makes it a popular destination for sightseeing in Graz.
The cathedral has a rich history, with the first church of Saint Giles occupying the site since 1174. It has undergone various changes over the centuries, including a refurbishment in the Baroque style in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. The nearby Mausoleum of Emperor Ferdinand II adds to the historical significance of the site. The cathedral's architectural style, both exterior and interior, showcases the grandeur and glory of Austria's imperial past, influenced by the presence of the Habsburgs.
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Feldkirch Cathedral, Feldkirch
Feldkirch Cathedral, or Dompfarrkirche St. Nikolaus, is a Roman Catholic cathedral dedicated to Saint Nicholas in the city of Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, Austria. It is the largest Gothic church in Vorarlberg and has been the cathedral of the Diocese of Feldkirch since 1968. The first church on the site was likely built around 1200, and it became an independent parish church in 1218. The dedication to Saint Nicholas dates from 1287.
The cathedral has a long and fascinating history, having been damaged by fires in 1348, 1396, and 1460, which destroyed the original Romanesque church building. In 1478, it was rebuilt by the architect Hans Sturm, who added a new Late Gothic nave and gable roof. The new building was dedicated in the same year. Today, it is a beautiful example of Gothic architecture, with a towering structure that is a prominent feature of the old town of Feldkirch.
While there is no specific information available on the exact type of tiles used in Feldkirch Cathedral, it is possible to make some inferences and provide insights into the types of tiles commonly used in Austrian cathedrals and churches. Austrian cathedrals are known for their ornate and colourful roofs, as exemplified by St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, which features a multi-coloured tile roof that has become one of the city's most recognisable symbols.
Porcelain tiles are a popular choice for church flooring due to their durability and low maintenance. They are harder than traditional ceramic tiles and do not require polishing, making them easier to maintain. Combination tiles with a ceramic body and a porcelain veneer are also available, but full-body porcelain tiles are recommended for high-traffic areas like the nave to prevent chipping and cracking. For cost-effectiveness and ease of maintenance, luxury vinyl tiles (LVT) or luxury vinyl planks (LVP) are alternative options to natural materials.
In addition to the practical considerations of tile choice, the design and layout of the tiles can also be customised to match the specific needs and desired aesthetic of the church. This includes decisions on tile size, diamond layout, borders, and inlays. Feldkirch Cathedral, with its Gothic architecture and intricate design, likely features tiles that complement the overall style and grandeur of the cathedral.
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Gurk Cathedral, Gurk
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna is known for its ornately patterned, multicoloured tile roof. The roof is 111 metres (364 ft) long and is covered by 230,000 glazed tiles. The tiles form a mosaic of the double-headed eagle, symbolic of the empire ruled from Vienna by the Habsburg dynasty, as well as the coats of arms of the City of Vienna and the Republic of Austria.
Gurk Cathedral, on the other hand, is a Romanesque pillar basilica located in the Austrian state of Carinthia. Built between 1140 and 1200, it is one of the most significant examples of Romanesque churches in Austria. The cathedral features a crypt with 100 columns, which is the oldest part of the structure, dating back to its consecration in 1174 when the tomb of St. Hemma of Gurk was relocated there. While the crypt is the most notable feature of the cathedral, it also boasts a variety of architectural styles, including a westwork with two towers, a gallery, and three apses. The high altar, created by Saxon sculptor Michael Hönel between 1625 and 1632, stands at 16 metres tall and fills the main apse.
The distinct twin steeples of Gurk Cathedral, reaching a height of 60 metres (200 ft), can be seen from a great distance, making it a prominent landmark in the rural Gurktal region. The cathedral's elongated structure and various architectural elements showcase the Romanesque style prevalent during its construction in the 12th century. While I cannot confirm the specific type of tiles used on Gurk Cathedral, its overall design and construction make it a notable example of Romanesque architecture in Austria.
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St. Giles' Cathedral, Graz
St. Giles Cathedral, Graz, also known as Graz Cathedral (German: Grazer Dom), is a beautiful example of Gothic-style architecture in the Austrian city of Graz. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Giles, also known as Saint Aegydius, and has been a significant religious site for centuries.
The construction of St. Giles Cathedral began in the 15th century, with the first church of Saint Giles occupying the site since 1174. The cathedral was built as a fortified church outside the city walls by Emperor Frederick III, who ruled the city of Graz during this period. It served as the court church starting in 1564 and became the seat of the bishop of the Steiermark diocese in 1786, known as the Diocese of Graz-Seckau.
The cathedral boasts impressive Gothic architecture with a beautiful ornate tower and a golden spire. The interior of the cathedral features several rare attractions, including an ornate high altar, organ, pulpit, choir stalls, and a 15th-century medieval fresco. The choir, dominated by the high altar, depicts the St. Giles miracles. The cathedral also houses two reliquaries on both sides of the chancel entrance and reliquary shrines containing the famous remains of saints.
Over time, the cathedral underwent alterations and redesigns. From 1577 to 1773, the Jesuits made modifications to the cathedral, adding elements of Baroque style to the initially Gothic structure. The interior of St. Giles Cathedral is primarily Baroque, while the exterior retains a more sober appearance. The original Gothic façades were once covered with paintings, and one notable Gothic fresco, the "Landplagenbild" or "Gottesplagenbild" ('God's Plagues'), has been preserved. This fresco depicts a year of horrors that Graz suffered in 1480, including pestilence, invasions, and a plague of locusts.
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Frequently asked questions
St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, Austria, has a roof covered with 230,000 glazed tiles laid out in a hypnotizing herringbone pattern in green, blue, yellow, and black.
The roof tiles of St. Stephen's Cathedral form a mosaic of the double-headed eagle, which is symbolic of the empire ruled from Vienna by the Habsburg dynasty. The coats of arms of the City of Vienna and the Republic of Austria are also depicted on the roof.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is the most important religious building in Vienna and is considered a symbol of the city. It is the tallest church in Austria, standing at 136 meters, and is known for its Romanesque and Gothic architecture. The cathedral has hosted the weddings and funerals of many notable figures in Austrian and European history, including royalty, musicians, and members of the House of Habsburg.
Yes, there are several other notable cathedrals in Austria, including:
- Graz Cathedral, also known as St. Giles' Cathedral, in the city of Graz
- Feldkirch Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Nicholas in the city of Feldkirch, Vorarlberg
- Gurk Cathedral, a Romanesque pillar basilica in the state of Carinthia
