Pestsäule
Monument Baroque plague column erected after 1679 epidemic
Vienna’s Pestsäule (Plague Column) on the Graben is a Baroque public monument from the 17th century; visitors see its sculptural program while walking the central historic district near St. Stephen’s.
Pestsäule is the Baroque plague column located on the Graben, one of Vienna’s main pedestrian streets in the Innere Stadt. The monument was commissioned in the wake of the 1679 plague and completed in the late 17th century as a votive offering.
The column features complex sculptural groups of angels, saints, and allegorical figures symbolising the deliverance from the plague, and it was created by a succession of sculptors and craftsmen over several years. The monument stands as a central landmark in the historic city centre and is an often-photographed urban focal point.
The column sits in central Vienna on the Graben, within walking distance of St. Stephen’s Cathedral and other central landmarks of the Innere Stadt.
- Origin: Erected after the great plague of 1679 and commissioned by Emperor Leopold I, the column is a prominent Baroque monument on the Graben in Vienna's first district.
- Size and viewing: The column is approximately 20 metres high and is best viewed from the Graben pedestrian street where it occupies a central position.
How to Get to Pestsäule #
The Pestsäule is on the Graben pedestrian street in Vienna’s Inner City, a short walk from Stephansplatz metro station (lines U1, U3). It is easily included in a walking tour of the Ringstraße and central historic sights.
Tips for Visiting Pestsäule #
- Visit early in the morning for quieter views of the Pestsäule before the city fully wakes.
- Look for inscriptions and small votive plaques at the base of the column that indicate the 1679 plague's civic memory.
Best Time to Visit Pestsäule #
Spring through early autumn for comfortable sightseeing and outdoor café life.
Weather & Climate near Pestsäule #
Pestsäule's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -2°C to 26°C. Moderate rainfall (594 mm/year).
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -2°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (63 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 13°C. The wettest month with 72 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. The wettest month with 72 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (47 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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