Deep beneath the bustling Stephansplatz lies a secret. It is a relic of medieval Vienna that is the Virgilkapelle. Imagine stepping into an underground crypt. This hidden chapel offers a glimpse into the city’s rich past.
The history of the Virgilkapelle is shrouded in mystery. Its architecture dates back to the early 13th century. Frederick the Warlike ruled Vienna then. He was the last Duke of the House of Babenberg. Some believe the Duke wanted Vienna to become an episcopal see. He might have had this crypt built for St. Coloman of Stockerau. Coloman would have been the patron saint of the new diocese. Chronicles do not mention the chapel. This fuels speculation that it was part of an unfinished project.
In 1307, a burial chapel of the Chrannest family is mentioned. This chapel had several altars. One was dedicated to St. Vergilius of Salzburg.
During the Middle Ages, the Stephansdom was surrounded by a large cemetery. A small chapel existed for consecrations. It was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. This was the Magdalenskapelle. The Virgilkapelle lay directly beneath it. A vertical shaft connected the two chapels.
In 1732, the cemetery around the Stephansdom was closed. The Magdalene Chapel was destroyed by fire in 1781. It was not rebuilt. There was no longer a need for a funeral chapel without a cemetery. The Virgilkapelle was filled with rubble. It faded into obscurity.
The chapel was rediscovered in 1973. It happened during the construction of the Vienna U-Bahn. Today, a mosaic on Stephansplatz outlines the Virgilkapelle’s location. The chapel has survived with minimal damage. It offers visitors a unique look into the Middle Ages.
The Virgilkapelle is rectangular. It measures about 6 meters by 10 meters. It features six niches. Today, it lies approximately 12 meters beneath Stephansplatz.
You can enter the Virgilkapelle directly from the Stephansplatz U-Bahn station. You can also look into the chapel from above. A collection of historical ceramics is displayed at the entrance.
The Virgilkapelle originally lacked doors and windows. It was only accessible from above. Ladders were used to enter it. The west wall was removed during the U-Bahn construction. This made access easier. The chapel was then integrated into the Stephansplatz U-Bahn station.
In December 2015, the Virgilkapelle reopened. To mark the occasion, the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt created a “Little Litany.”
The outlines of the Virgilkapelle and Magdalenenkapelle are marked on Stephansplatz. Initially, colored stones were used. In 2017, these were replaced with black lines.
Today, the Virgilkapelle is a branch of the Wien Museum. Initially, it was accessible via a small side passage from the U-Bahn station. High humidity levels and lichen growth led to its closure in the early 2000s. Since December 2015, it has been accessible from the upper level of the Stephansplatz U-Bahn station.
Inside the Virgilkapelle, the floor has been slightly raised. A discreet railing prevents direct contact with the walls. The Virgilkapelle includes a museum. It showcases exhibits and detailed documentation about the chapel. It also includes information about the Middle Ages in Vienna. The Virgilkapelle stands as a testament to Vienna’s enduring history. It connects us to the city’s medieval roots.