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  The Roman Towers of St. Stephen  

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Uploaded: 01/02/07 2:45 AM GMT
The Roman Towers of St. Stephen
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The Stephansdom (Cathedral of Saint Stephen), in Vienna, Austria, is the seat of a Roman Catholic Archbishop. The cathedral was first built as a parish church, in 1147, and rebuilt and enlarged over the centuries, with major new work concluding in 1511, although repair and restoration have continued from the beginning to the present day. (In fact this was the only side without construction work going on). The Stephansdom was saved from intentional destruction at the hands of retreating German forces during World War II, when Captain Gerhard Klinkicht disregarded orders from the city commandant, Sepp Dietrich, to "fire a hundred shells and leave it in just debris and ashes". One of the fires set by plunderers when Russian troops entered the city was carried by the wind to the cathedral, severely damaging it on 12 April 1945. On the left and on the right from the main entrance, seen here, are the two Roman towers which are about 65 meters (215 feet) tall. They are called "Roman" because they were built from rubble of structures built by the Romans during their occupation of the city site. Square at their bases, and octagonal when the rise above the roof, they housed bells, and although the south Roman tower lost its bells during World War II, the north one is still a working bell tower. Along with the Giant Door, they are the oldest parts of the church.

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::tigger3
01/02/07 3:53 AM GMT
Magnificent Sabine wow such detail and composition makes the a fantastic post. I believe your only getting better and better. It was very interesting to to read the history of this grand cathedral. Sandi
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Hoping for only the best for all my caedes friends in the coming year.
::kidder
01/02/07 4:25 AM GMT
An amazing looking structure Sabine! Again the ages of these buildings floor me. What a history it has too! I love the looks of the towers..so much detail went into building this cathedral, and your excellent shot shows us all of it. I can even make out the gargoyles on it. Nicely done again!
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GOD PUT ME on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind I will never die. Bill Watterson, Calvin and Hobbes cartoonist VISIT MY GALLERY
.twinkel
01/02/07 10:59 AM GMT
great picture Sabine and great architecture and you captured it well

Twinkel
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laughter is the best medicine, so have a wonderful and healthy 2007
::Jhihmoac
01/02/07 12:05 AM GMT
A different looking cathedral indeed! Nice capture...
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"Let us forever cherish and hold sacred these moments...for it is our undoing ...should we forget..." -William Shakespeare ... Visit Jhihmoac's Gallery
::djholmes
01/02/07 5:27 PM GMT
This is a very nice shot, Sabine. Beautiful colors and clarity on the building detail. It could use tilting a bit to the left. Also, you might try shooting from a different perspective as opposed to straight on and centered. That would make the photo even more striking.
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::JQ
01/02/07 8:09 PM GMT
I like this, what interesting patterns on the pyramid shape, also the towers too are nice!
you seem to have nice towers in vienna! as well as nice everything else actually!
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::fogz
01/02/07 8:14 PM GMT
Amazing building with a lot of history Sabine! The front is almost like a tapestry! I really like photos taken from this angle looking right up the front of the building! Patti
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"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity." ...live well ...love much ...laugh often ..... mygallery
.sansoni7
01/03/07 3:38 PM GMT
Marvelous...
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Look around and catch it ; the Art is there !
::dutch_postings
01/05/07 9:14 PM GMT
A wonderfull photo Sabine, extraordinay, well done.
I find the text to go with it very interesting to read as well, and we can safely say
that Gerhard Klinkicht was right and is a hero to disobey orders.
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please visit my gallery - mountain site or my little Switzerland Forum
::happygirl400
01/05/07 9:56 PM GMT
Magnificent! What a beautiful church. I love the detail and the history lesson. Great shot!
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::od0man
01/06/07 9:47 PM GMT
This is a fantastic structure Sabine and you have done it full justice both by your fantastic capture and by the detailed background story - fascinating - which brings the whole thing alive.
Cheers,
Steve.
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This mail is a natural product. The slight variation in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are tobe considered flaws or defects.

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