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Austria's great capital of Vienna spreads along both sides of the Danube River at the foothills of the Alps. Vienna (Wien) is a unique blend of the history and modern life. Vienna’s role as the house of the great Hapsburg Empire for centuries can be seen in the wealth and diversity of architecture and in the city’s artistic and musical heritage. Many of the world’s most important and well known composers, including Beethoven and Mozart, have lived and performed behind Vienna’s Baroque facades. There are also excellent examples of the Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) architecture that also flourished in Vienna. The fall of the Hapsburg Empire, towards the end of World War I, allowed Vienna’s socialist party to come to power during the ‘Red Vienna’ period which resulted in many social housing and other projects, which still play an important role in Vienna. Vienna’s occupation by the Nazis and partitioning of Vienna by the four Allied powers is almost forgotten as the city rather focuses on its post war neutrality and the glittering remnants of its Imperial glory. Vienna is formally divided into 23 districts. The original city of Vienna that lay within the protective walls comprises the First District of today's Vienna (Innere Stadt). The demolition of the city walls of Vienna led to the construction of the Ringstrasse and an impressive parade of glorious buildings along the Ringstrasse. Most of the tourist attractions lie on and within the Ringstrasse. Districts two to nine are arrayed between the Ringstrasse and the concentric Gürtel (belt). The other districts of Vienna lie beyond the Gürtel and stretch into the foothills of the Vienna Woods, where wine taverns and pretty villages are dotted among the vineyards. Vienna’s climate is generally moderate, although the city can sometimes experience heavy snowfalls and quite low temperatures from December to March, as well as usually very high temperatures in July and August. Summer, on the other hand, is usually comfortable with an average daily temperature of 20°C-25°C, although heavy thundershowers are frequent. Vienna is not only the capital of Austria but also a federal province of Austria. Vienna’s location on the trade route along the River Danube played an important role in its history – an empire that once covered a large part of Central Europe was ruled from Vienna. Even today, Vienna is the main financial and administrative capital of Austria and home to a number of international organisations such as the United Nations. Vienna - Transportation You can arrive to the Vienna city center (Wien-Mitte railway station) by the cat train in about 16 minutes. The train leaves every half hour and we strongly suggest you to buy a Vienna Card to get high discounts for trains and other transportation within Vienna. A Vienna Card will cost you EUR 18,50 and it can be purchased at your hotel or the tourist information center. With this card you will get unlimited travel (either bus or train) for 72 hours and reduction museums, sights, theaters, concerts, etc. A single transportation ticket will cost you EUR 1,50. You can also buy a daily card for unlimited transportation for EUR 5. Trams 1 and 2 make a loop around the historical Vienna (they loop in the opposite direction) so if you need an unguided but cheap tour you can take these trams. Vienna - Where to eat? There are various kinds of restaurants in the Spittelberg area. Walking down the historical Spittelberg Street, you'll realize many lively and cosy restaurants and bars. a classy meal with a quality wine for two will cost you approximately EUR 90. In June through August, many food stalls are set up in front of the Rathaus (city hall) where you can find some good bargains for various world cuisines. Vienna - Main attractions The Anchor Clock (Ankeruhr) - The Anchor Clock of Vienna was built between 1912 and 1917 by the plans of the famous painter Franz von Matsch...more Belvedere Palace - The two magnificient palaces of the Belvedere region lie in the middle of a magnificent park. Both palaces were constructed for Prince Eugene of Savoy by Hildebrandt, a famous Baroque architect...more Vienna Opera House (Wiener Staatsoper) - Vienna Opera House is situated in the first district of Vienna at the southern part of the Kärntnerstrasse. August von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll built the Vienna Opera House in 1869...more National Theater (Burgtheater) - The Burgtheater, which is also known as Burg or "Haus am Ring" (House at Ring), is situated in Vienna's first district (Innerstadt). In 1741, Empress Maria Theresia gave an old dance parlour to Sellier, a theatre company. In 1888, Sellier moved into a nearby house designed and built by Gottfried Semper and Hasenauer. Since then, this building was used as the National Theatre...more The Prater - The Prater is one of Europe's most popular fun fair. You can enjoy a magnificent view over Vienna from the giant Ferris wheel or do some sports and relax in an spacious area of parks, forest and fields...more
Schönbrunn Palace -
Schönbrunn Palace and the huge park nearby is one of the most
important cultural monuments of Austria. The Schonbrunn Castle
was built to rival the famous French Versailles in Baroque beauty
and importance but House Habsburg lacked funds to beat its rivalling
nation France...more
Hofburg Palace - The Hofburg was orignially a
medieval castle, but today only the chapel of the castle
demonstrates its medieval past. The Hofburg Palace was extended to a
magnificent residence when the Habsburg Dynasty's power increased.
That is the reason why you can find almost any architectural
style, from gothic to art nouveau, in Hofburg Palace...more |