The Sound of the Stephansdom Bells

Vienna, 14 September 2025, 10:08 am, right before High Mass.

This is how a Sunday morning starts in Vienna. The loud, beautiful sound of the cathedral bells fills the air at Stephansdom.

Walking across the busy square on a cool, cloudy morning, you can really feel the energy of the city. People are walking around, and everyone is drawn to the tall towers and the colorful, patterned roof of the church.

The heartbeat of Vienna. Hearing the famous Pummerin bell ring just before the morning church service is pure magic. The deep sound echoes over the stone streets, pulling you in.

Following the crowd past the old stone carvings and walk through the heavy wooden doors. Once inside, the feeling changes completely. The loud noise from outside fades away into a huge, quiet space. You see tall stone pillars reaching up to a very high ceiling, and a special red-and-white floor leads your eyes straight to the front of the church.

The Pummerin (also called the Mary Bell) is the huge, famous main bell of St. Stephen's Cathedral. People call it the "voice of Austria" because it has so much history behind it. When it rings for Sunday service, the sound is so strong that you can actually feel it in your chest.

I really miss this majestic sound.

Handbags from Korea

I keep forgetting when and where I bought my things from.

Looking back at our travel memories, these are the 3 leather handbags that I bought in Korea during our trip back in 2023. Along with them, I picked up an orange purse, a matching orange coin purse, and a black card holder. Every single one is made of genuine leather and are Korean-brand.  Until today,  they are still in great condition.

My most unique and special item from Korea is a pair of olive-colored handmade Korean slip-on leather shoes.

Moving forward, I’m going to share my other handbag purchases and their origins before they all slip my mind. I want to hold onto these beautiful memories for as long as I can.

Kaiserschmarrn at Demel Vienna Cafe

The Ultimate Sweet Guide to Vienna: Why You Must Try Kaiserschmarrn at Demel

When people think of Vienna, your mind instantly drifts to visions of classic imperial architecture, classical music, and, of course, a warm plate of Apple Strudel. But if you want to eat like a local and experience the Viennese comfort food, there is another royal dessert you absolutely cannot miss: Kaiserschmarrn (I don’t even know how to pronounce this).

And if you want the absolute best, you need to head straight to the legendary Demel Cafe.

What Exactly is Kaiserschmarrn?

Think of it as the ultimate upgrade to your standard breakfast pancake.

Kaiserschmarrn is a shredded, ultra-fluffy pancake. The batter is light, airy, and often contains rum-soaked raisins. It's cooked to a beautiful golden brown, torn into bite-sized pieces right in the pan, and lightly caramelized with a dusting of powdered sugar.

Served hot, it’s soft, pillowy, and completely melts in your mouth.

Demel Cafe

Demel is a historic institution in Vienna. Founded in 1786, it was once the official pastry shop of the Austrian royal family. While their main, historic flagship branch is nestled in the streets of Kohlmarkt near the Hofburg Palace, they have fantastic presence across the old town.

But for the most convenient—and scenic—experience, head straight to their highly popular takeaway pop-up spot right in front of Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral).

The Unbeatable Combo: 

Grabbing a steaming hot box of freshly made Kaiserschmarrn and eating it right outside with a direct view of the stunning, gothic Stephansdom architecture. The view and the food together are an absolute dream.

How is it Served & Price?

At Demel, they don't skimp on tradition. Your fluffy, hot pancake pieces are topped generously with a traditional tart fruit compote, usually Zwetschkenröster (stewed plum jam) or apple sauce—which perfectly balances the sweetness of the sugar.  A convenient takeaway box of this royal treat will cost you around €9.00.

Considering the premium quality, the rich history, and the fact that you get to bypass the notoriously long queues for indoor cafe seating, it is worth every single cent.

If you are planning your next stroll through the heart of Vienna's old town, make sure to look out for the Demel stand. Eat it hot, take in the cathedral views, and enjoy a slow, perfect Viennese moment.