06 Cathedral Square
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BAKABU at the Cathedral Square
"This is the Domplatz. There used to be three churches here," explains Lups after a while. "Wow, there's really a lot of space here," says Bakabu. "S-s-space?" whimpers Charlie Gru. "This place gives any pigeon instant claustrophobia, I mean, agoraphobia." "And who is that woman?" asks Mimi Lou, pointing to a figure on a building directly at the square. "On the Sparkasse building, you can see the lady with the cornucopia," replies Lups, showing the spot in his family album. "It was supposedly created by the great Austrian artist Gustav Klimt for my great-great-aunt Lupadele." "And what's in that huge building over there?" asks Bakabu. "That's the cathedral of St. Pölten, the largest church in the city." "Oh dear, such a high tower," moans Charlie Gru. "I'm getting all dizzy." "But you're a bird!" croaks the frog. "But one with a fear of heights," protests the pigeon. "What's that?" exclaims Mimi Lou as they are interrupted by very loud noises. Charlie Gru covers his ears in fear. Bakabu realizes, "The bells at the top of the tower are ringing. And somehow, it’s a special melody. It seems... to fit our song." Bakabu quickly notes the sounds - and once again, they are a step closer to their goal.
On the trail of history
The second largest square in the city is named after the cathedral church on its eastern side. Today's cathedral, formerly the church of the Augustinian canons, has baroque furnishings from the 18th century. The former monastery is home to the Bishop of St. Pölten. An administrative palace stood on the site in late Roman times; a first church was built in its remains around 800 AD and demolished in 1689. Archaeological excavations from 2010 onwards uncovered medieval monastery remains, church foundations and 22,242 graves. The square was the city's main cemetery until 1779.
The baroque Palais Wellenstein stands on the south side. On the west side is a building designed by the important architect Hubert Gessner in 1914, as well as the Savings Bank building from 1883, which is crowned by a mosaic of an allegorical figure in Art Nouveau style.