St. Pölten Cathedral: Baroque Bishop's Church on Domplatz

Above Domplatz in the heart of St. Pölten rises the distinctive tower of the St. Pölten Cathedral, the bishop's church of the Diocese of St. Pölten. Having grown out of a medieval Augustinian canons' monastery, the cathedral ranks among the most significant sacred buildings in Lower Austria.

From Monastery Church to Cathedral

Originally built as the church of the Augustinian canons' monastery, the church was only elevated to a bishop's cathedral in 1785 with the founding of the Diocese of St. Pölten. Over the centuries, the building changed repeatedly until it took on its present baroque form in the 18th century.

Magnificent Baroque Interior

Inside, rich stucco work, ceiling frescoes, and a splendid high altar impress visitors, created by renowned artists of Austrian baroque. The contrast between the rather restrained exterior facade and the lavish interior surprises many visitors.

The Heart of Domplatz

The wide Domplatz in front of the church ranks among St. Pölten's central squares and is surrounded by historic buildings that tell of the long history of the monastery complex. For visitors to the provincial capital, the cathedral makes an obvious starting point for a walk through the old town.