Austria Attractions - Vienna Tourist Attractions

Vienna is a city of dreams. As no other, she parades transitoriness and her proper past. The Habsburg Empire has long disappeared, but its metropolis still cherishes the old dream of splendour and glory. The pompous façades and cobbled alleyways, the countless ancient monuments and the mish-mash of peoples -–many inhabitants hail from East-European countries – make the past come alive again. Not as an oppressive burden, but rather as a melody from bygone days which now pervades the air again, a medley of Viennese waltzes, the Radetzky March and a Bruckner symphony. In Vienna, particularly in the First District, the air really seems to swing. Apart from nostalgic baroque, however, one also discovers contemporary architecture extending its tentacles in the form of glass-and-chromium buildings, right into the heart of the city, to the Stephansplatz, where the cathedral’s spire points skywards like giant stalagmite. Visitors climbing to the top are rewarded with a view of Vienna reaching far into the surrounding countryside in an ascending panorama. On the outskirts of Vienna a new district called Donau-City is being constructed by architects inspired not so much by baroque criteria as by the skyline of places such as Frankfurt and Chicago.

Modern Viennese art, fashion and ‘scene’ are impressive, yet form merely one facet of the spectrum. After the fall of the Iron Curtain which for so long cast a dark shadow over the western world, Vienna is once more located in the middle of Central Europe. The city has become a junction connecting the continent’s eastern and western parts, a role it already fulfilled once when an empire of 53 million citizens was governed from here. At present, however, political power is no longer involved, but rather cultural stimuli and lifestyle. Vienna has become a ‘definer of style’ again. Many of the numerous museums and cultural institutions are truly exemplary and make Austria into one of the most important cultural centres in Europe.

Belvedere Palace

The two magnificent palaces on the Belvedere grounds lie in the middle of a splendid park. They were constructed for Prince Eugene of Savoy by J.L. von Hildebrandt, a famous Baroque architect.

At this time the Belvedere Palaces were still located outside Vienna's defenses, but today they are a part of Vienna`s third district which is not far away from the very centre of Vienna. The Palaces' architecture and interior design are typical for Rococo style.

Today, both palaces house museums featuring Austrian painting. In the lower palace the "Österreichisches Barockmuseum" (Austrian Museum of Baroque Art) displays Austrian Art of the 18th century. In the upper palace you can visit the Austrian gallery with a collection of 19th- and 20th-century Austrian paintings. There, you can find works of artist of the Secession movement such as Gustav Klimt (1867-1918), Egon Schiele (1890-1918) or Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980).

In 1803, Europe's first alpine garden was created in the extensive park area of Belvedere castle following a suggestion of Archduke Johann. Today, more than 4000 plants represent the diverse flora of the alpine ecosystem. Spring and early summer are the best times to visit as many plants foliate and start to flower.

Vienna Schonbrunn Palace

Leopold I started the building of this magnificent Palace. Karl VI used it as a hunting lodge. But when Maria Theresa ascended the throne in 1740, she moved in and made it her permanent home.

Schonbrunn is a must during any visit to Vienna. It is a little outside the Inner Ring to the West, but very accessible. Get the U4 (Green) Underground to “Schloss Schonbrunn” (about 6 stops from Karlsplatz) or the Yellow Line, U3 to and when you come out of the station just follow the signposts. When you arrive at Schonbrunn (a 7-10 minute walk) you will have to decide what guided tour to take, etc – there are numerous options. You might first visit the magnificent gardens. Entry is free. These Gardens were always open to the public from the time of Empress Marie Theresa. Now the Gardens are a favourite venue for Viennese joggers and Nordic Power walkers.

There is lots to see at Schonbrunn and there are guided tours for every taste, and length of time, plus combined tickets for different areas – A Grand Tour of the Palace, A tour of The Privy Gardens, The Gloriette Panorama Terrace, the Maze and Labyrinth, the Vienna Zoo (Tiergarten Schonbrunn, the oldest zoo in the world) the Schonbrunn Palm House, The Carriage Museum, as well as Guided Tours of 22 rooms in Schonbrunn including the private apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elizabeth (Empress Sissi).

In Schonbrunn Palace itself, you can see The Napoleon Room (once Maria Theresa’s bedroom) where Napoleon stayed, the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart first played for royalty, Emperor Franz Josef’s bedroom, The magnificent ballrooms (you can almost hear the Strauss waltzes), The Great Hall (a truly magnificent salon, etc. You can also combine a visit to Schonbrunn with a Classical Concert in the evening.

At present the front façade of Schonbrunn is being restored and this recalls the damage done during the second World War when the Palace was hit by 270 bombs and for two years (1945-7) was headquarters of the British Army of Occupation.

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Stephansdom

• I., Stephansplatz
• 515 52-37 67
• Daily 6am-10pm
• Guided tours: Monday-Saturday 10.30am and 3pm, Sunday/Holidays 3pm. Tower: daily 9am-6pm

The cathedral, devastated during World War II, was so essential to the Austrian identity that all Bundesländer (Regional States) contributed to its reconstruction. At one time, no less than three Norman churches stood here, of which merely the giant portal and the ‘Heidentürme’ (Heathen Towers) remain, which were integrated into the new cathedral. The Stephansdom is the most important gothic edifice in Austria. You can visit the Catacombs, where the entrails of the Habsburgs are kept, during one of the guided tours.

Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel

To some this giant wheel typifies Vienna, the Vienna of The Third Man film – remember Orson Welles and Joseph Cotton taking the ride while looking down at post-war Vienna? The Wheel is situated in The Prater district of Vienna, towards the north of the city.

The “Wurstelprater” was built at the end of the 19th Century for the 1897 Universal Exhibition. The Wheel was destroyed almost completely by 1945 bombing but has been faithfully restored.

The Prater Wheel has 15 cabins and they move slowly around affording excellent views of Vienna in a gentle romantic way. A ride on the London Eye is on the same principle as the Prater Wheel, you enter your cabin and after 14 stops, it will be your turn to exit.

The Prater park was formerly the hunting ground of the Emperor but opened to the public and now incorporates a funfair, amusements, hunting, sports stadium, swimming pool, miniature train, etc.

One of the Avenues in the Park is lined with Chestnut Trees and was laid out by Emperor Ferdinand II – a beautiful sight at any time of the year. Beware in September/October – sitting on one of the many seats on this beautiful avenue may mean a huge chestnut dropping on your head.

It is simple to get to The Prater Park from any part of Vienna. Take the red underground line towards Kagran, get off at Praterstern/Wien Nord (also the stop for Wien Nord Railway Station) come out of the station and a five minute stroll through the Park will bring you to the Giant Prater Wheel.

You literally float in the sky, you enjoy the incomparable view of the old city of Vienna and enjoy the Prater amusement park at your feet: get married in the 65-meter-high Riesenrad, which was built in 1896-97.

You will feel as if you were on cloud nine in an art nouveau luxury carriage, furnished like an old Viennese coffeehouse – and for your wedding feast you may choose the jubilee carriage “100 Years Riesenrad”.

Hotels Vienna | Last Minute Hotels Vienna

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