Vienna

83.871 km²
(2x Nederland)

UTC +1

German, Italian, Turkish, Slavic

Großglockner - 3798 m

The Austrian flag is among the oldest national flags in the world. The flag was designed in the thirteenth century designed by Duke Frederick II of Austria (1210-1246). The current flag has been in use since 1918.

The euro was introduced simultaneously in 12 European countries, as well as in Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City on 1 January 2002. This was the largest monetary exchange operation of all time. On the front of the note is a gate or window and a bridge on the back. These are all fictional. The euro replaces the Shilling, introduced in 1924.

The Ferris wheel in the Prater was built in 1897 in honor of Emperor Franz Joseph 1's golden jubilee. Only 19 years later, in 1916, a permit was issued for its demolition but due to a lack of funds, the demolition was cancelled. During World War II, the Ferris wheel burnt down but was rebuilt to reopen in 1947. Originally the Ferris wheel consisted of 30 hanging wagons but today only 15 wagons remain. You can even dine in one of the wagons. Every time the wagon is at its lowest point, dishes are changed. A single rotation takes quite a while. A ride costs 13.5 euros in 2023. The amusement park around it makes an dull impression.

Total height: 64,75m

Diameter: 60,96m

The axis of the Ferris wheel: 10,78m long, 0,5m wide and a weight of 16.3 tons

Weight of the wheel: 244,85 tons

Weight of the entire construction: 430 tons

Turning speed 0,75m/sec, 2,7km/h

St Stephan's cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral, a Roman Catholic cathedral is the seat of the archbishop of the Austrian archdiocese of Vienna. The cathedral is 107 meters long, 34 meters wide and the largest cathedral of the country. A previous church was built on this spot in 1147. In 1469, Vienna became a diocese and the church became a cathedral. The southern tower is the tallest at 136.7 meters. The north tower was never completed and is only 68 meters high. The Pummerin is a clock donated by the state of Upper Austria in 1951 after the original one during the 1945 fire was was lost. A small elevator takes you to a platform on the tower where you can admire the surroundings and the beautiful roof. On either side of the main entrance are the Heidentürme, which are about 65 meters high. In the rooms under the cathedral, a number of bishops are buried and also numerous bones and skulls, including those of victims of the plague.

Wiener staasoper

The Vienna State Opera is the most important and largest opera house in Austria and is considered one of the best in the world. Construction began in 1861 as part of Vienna's new Ringstraße. The building opened in 1869 and was called the k.k. Hofoper. In 1920 after the fall of the empire, it became the Wiener Staatoper. In 1945, it was largely destroyed by an Allied bombing raid in which the hall and stage were completely destroyed by fire. The building was rebuilt as much as possible in its original state and the reopening premiere took place in 1955. You can book a tour on the State Opera's website.

Schönbrunn

Schloss Schönbrunn is one of the most important cultural heritages of Austria and one of the busiest in the capital. It is located outside the old center in the Hietzing district but is quickly accessible by public transportation. It was built between 1692 and 1713. From this time, only the castle chapel and the Blue Stiege with a roof fresco by Sebastiano Ricci remain. Maria Theresa, daughter of Emperor Charles VI made it the summer residence of the Habsburgs and it would remain so until 1918. During her reign it was extensively remodeled. The vast majority of the palace's furnishings date from this period and is considered the only example of Austrian Rococo. Between 1817 and 1819, the palace was painted in the color yellow. In 1945, the main building and part of the Gloriette (on the hill) were damaged by Allied bombs. During the occupation by the Allies, Schönbrunn became headquarters of the British. At that time, the restoration started. A renovation of the south side followed in 2004. The palace has 1441 rooms. Also the oldest zoo in the world is located on the estate.

The Spanish Riding School is located in a wing of the Hofburg on Michaelerplatz. First mentioned in 1565, it is the oldest surviving riding school in the world. The "Winterreitschule," the indoor riding hall that is part of the Hofburg, dates back to 1735. Originally the school was owned by the imperial family, and served to teach the noble youth how to ride a horse. Today it is a tourist attraction. The horses, lipizzaners, traditionally have a Spanish background. They are generally white but there are also black and brown ones, they are born black. On average, they have a shoulder height of about 1.5 meters and grow older than other horses. On a tour, you can visit the winter - and summer riding school and the stables in the Stallburg on the other side of the road. The Stallburg was built around 1560 as a residence commissioned by Archduke Maximilian, later Emperor Maximilian II. From 1659 to 1776, it housed Archduke Leopold Wilhelm's art collection. After that, the building was used for the stables.

Plague column

The Vienna Plague Column is a monument on the Graben in the city center. The column was erected in 1693, after one of the last greatest plague epidemics (1679).

National Library

The Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (ÖNB) is a scientific library in Vienna. Its collection of nearly 8 million books is housed in the Vienna Hofburg and in the Neue Hofburg on Heldenplatz. In 1722, Emperor Charles VI had the library's showroom built as part of the Hofburg. The hall, designed by Johann Fischer von Erlach is 80 meters long, 20 meters high and contains about 200,000 books and is among the finest examples of historic libraries. The entrance is confusing. In fact, for the showroom you have to take the entrance on the Jozefsplatz.

Christmas markets

Christmas markets are a popular tradition in Austria. The first "December market" in Vienna was held in 1298. There are about 20 different markets from mid-November to Christmas. Some remain open until New Year. The largest and best known is the Christkindl market on the 'Rathausplatz'. This market attracts about 3 million visitors annually. There is a carousel, Ferris wheel and visitors can skate on a 3,000-square-meter circuit. The park and trees are beautifully illuminated. There are about 150 stalls where one can buy Christmas ornaments, art, traditional Austrian snacks, Punch and gluhwein. The drink is served in a mug for which you have to pay a five euro deposit. You can decide if you want to keep the mug. Not all mugs are beautiful but at some stalls they have beautifully decorated mugs with inscription of the location. Some other Christmas markets are the weihnachtsmarkt am Spittelberg, at the St Stephan's cathedral, Maria Theresien platz, Schloss Belvedere, at the Karlskirche, the University campus, Schönbrunn and the Museumquartier.

Hofburg

The Hofburg was the residence of the Habsburg Archdukes of Austria from the thirteenth century until 1918. The Hofburg was the winter residence, Schloss Schönbrunn was the summer residence. During the reign of the Habsburg Emperor Rudolf I construction of a castle began in 1279. In the middle of the sixteenth century, Emperor Ferdinand I began rebuilding the castle, and over the following centuries the Hofburg was rebuilt and expanded so often that nothing of the original building can be seen. From 1881-1913 the largest expansion took place with the construction of the Neue Burg. The Neue Burg is the gigantic curved wing that extends from the older parts of the Hofburg to the Ringstraße.

Kapuzinergruft

The Capuchin church with its imperial tomb in Vienna on Neue Markt was built in 1618 by order of Empress Anna of Tyrol. There are 146 bodies including 12 emperors and 18 empresses. Emperor Matthias and Empress Anna were the first to be buried there. Their tombs are quite plain. Other tombs are very lavishly decorated like Charles VI's. At the end of the tour you'll find the tomb of Emperor Franz Josef I, the last emperor of Austria. Next to him are the tombs of Elisabeth (Sisi) and Rudolf, their son. The last to be buried in the crypt was Otto of Habsburg-Lorraine in 2011.

Furthermore, you can visit the Karlskirche, a beautiful Roman Catholic church on Karlsplatz, among others. The Jesuit Church, not far from St Stephan's cathedral. For a delicious Apfelstrudel you have to visit Café Residenz at Schönbrunn. You can also book a demonstration of how it is made. At the Naschmarkt you can buy many delicious food items. There are three café's in Vienna for which people line up. café Central, Hotel Sacher for a Sacher torte and Demel which used to be a court supplier. There is plenty to see and do in Vienna.