The Pummerin Bell and St Stephen’s Cathedral: The Rise of Two Austrian Icons

In April 1952, a triumphal procession was staged to bring the ‘new Pummerin’ bell to Vienna from Upper Austria. To mark the 70th anniversary of the famous bell’s reinstallation in the newly reponed cathedral, this Web-Exhibition tells the unknown or forgotten histories of the cathedral’s reconstruction. Featuring a wealth of historical photos, the exhibition examines and illuminates how the cathedral and its Pummerin became key symbols of Austria as a nation.

On 12 April 1945 a fire broke out in St Stephen’s Cathedral. Flying sparks from neighbouring buildings had set fire to the roof truss. A lack of water for firefighting and the Vienna fire brigade’s retreat from the city on the orders of the Nazi regime prevented the containment of the fire. The destruction of the roof caused large sections of the vaulted ceiling to collapse, causing massive damage to the interior. The large bell, known as the Pummerin, plummeted to the ground and broke apart on the floor of the church. These days already marked the beginning of the mythologisation of St Stephen’s – with iconic photographs taken at the moment of the blaze.

Through its detailed exploration of the reconstruction of St Stephen’s Cathedral, the exhibition brings to light previously unknown histories and stories that had faded from view. For example that of the young female architect who was in charge of the reconstruction for the first few months, or of the artists who were ordered to clear rubble because they had been members of the Nazi Party, or of the monument protection experts who argued – unsuccessfully – against the use of ‘ignoble’ steel to rebuild the roof truss.