The foundations of the houses in Blutgasse go back to the Middle Ages; the area is considered one of the oldest in Vienna. In 1368 it was first mentioned as Kotgässel by the German gentlemen, in 1392 it was only referred to as Kotgässel. Further mentions of the alley speak of the alley behind the German gentlemen (1394), of Kergässel (1406 and 1411), of the blood alley (since 1547) and the milk alley (1600); since 1862 the official name is Blutgasse.
Since 1963 the cathedral has been the seat of the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Austria (the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople: the Metropolis of Austria and Exarchate of Hungary and Middle Europe).
