The original church was built in 1147 and was the highest building in Europe at the time with a height of 137 metres. In 1359, Duke Rudolf IV of Habsburg ordered the reconstruction in Gothic style, and the South Tower was completed in 1433. It features the glazed style roof, and the tall tower. Inside the Cathedral are art treasures such as the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1754), the Altarpiece of Wiener Neustadt, the pulpit by Anton Pilgram (1514-15), the sepulcher of Emperor Frederik III by Niclas Gerhaert (1467-1513), the watchman’s lookout, a self portrait of the sculptor, and the Gothic winged altar. The sound of the 'Pummerin', the cathedrals big bell, is used to celebrate New Year in Austria. Other interesting features include the indentation of the wall at the left side of the main entrance, which was used to measure the size of a loaf of bread by dissatisfied customers; Zahnwehherrgott (Lord of tooth ache), an 'ecce homo' statue once situated at the graveyard outside the cathedral, at the cathedral's apse; and the incomplete northern steeple.
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