The Eastern City Center: Stephansdom and Medieval Vienna

For more than eight centuries, the commanding Stephansdom cathedral has remained the nucleus around which the city has grown. Vienna of the Middle Ages is encapsulated behind it, and you could easily spend half a day or more just prowling the narrow streets and passageways. Stephansplatz is the logical starting point from which to explore Vienna's past and present. Streets here are named after medieval trades: Bäckerstrasse was the street of the bakers, and weavers peddled their wares on Wollzeile. Legend has it that several Knights Templar were murdered in Blutgasse, or "Blood Alley."