In 1433, after 75 years of toil, Stephansdom's tower reached its final height of 136.7m, and today you can ascend the 343 steps to a cramped platform for one of Vienna’s most spectacular views over the rooftops of the Innere Stadt.
When the foundation stone for the south tower (Südturm) was laid in 1359, Rudolf IV is said to have used a trowel and spade made of silver – both of which apparently survived among the cathedral treasures until the 15th century before vanishing. Two towers were originally envisaged, but the Südturm grew so high that little space remained for the second.
