Imagine stumbling upon a medieval time capsule right beneath a bustling U-Bahn station. That is the Vergilius Chapel. It sits quietly beneath Stephansplatz. Today, we are going to uncover the secrets of this underground crypt.
The Vergilius Chapel, or Virgilkapelle in German, dates back to the early 13th century. Picture Vienna ruled by Frederick the Warlike. He was the last Duke of the House of Babenberg. Some historians think he wanted Vienna to become its own episcopal see. They believe he commissioned this crypt for St. Coloman of Stockerau. St. Coloman was supposed to be the patron saint of this new diocese. But the chronicles of the time don’t mention the chapel. This makes some think the project failed.
In 1307, records mention a burial chapel belonging to the Chrannest family of Vienna. This chapel had multiple altars. One was dedicated to St. Vergilius of Salzburg. This dedication eventually gave the Vergilius Chapel its name.
During the Middle Ages, Stephansdom stood surrounded by a large cemetery. A small chapel existed. It was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene. This was called the Magdalenskapelle or Magdalene Chapel. The Virgilius Chapel lay directly beneath it. A vertical shaft connected these two chapels. Imagine attending a requiem mass in the Magdalene Chapel. All the while, the Vergilius Chapel rests silently below.
In 1782, the cemetery around Stephansdom closed. A fire damaged the Magdalene Chapel in 1781. It was never rebuilt. Without the cemetery, there was no need for a funeral chapel. The Virgilius Chapel was filled with rubble. It faded from memory.
Fast forward to 1973. Construction workers were building the Vienna U-Bahn. They rediscovered the chapel. The Vergilius Chapel had survived with hardly any damage. It provided a window into the Middle Ages. After a long renovation, it reopened in December 2015.
Today, you can enter the Vergilius Chapel directly from the Stephansplatz U-Bahn station. You can even peek into the chapel from above. Inside, you will find a collection of historical ceramics at the entrance.
The Vergilius Chapel is rectangular. It measures about 6 meters by 10 meters. It features six niches. In about 1246, artists decorated the chapel with murals and Celtic crosses in the niches. Later, the Maria Magdalena Church was built over it. Its outlines are visible in the pavement around St. Stephen’s Square. The chapel once served a rich Viennese merchant family as a devotional space.
In the room next to the Vergilius Chapel, there is a permanent exhibition. It focuses on the chapel. It explores the chapel’s construction, possible uses, and its place next to St. Stephen’s Cathedral. The exhibition also traces Vienna’s spatial development. It goes from its Roman roots to the 16th century.
The Vergilius Chapel stands as a testament to Vienna’s layered past. It is a hidden gem. It waits to be discovered by those who venture beneath the surface. Take a moment to appreciate this medieval marvel. It is a reminder of the history that lies beneath our feet.