Vienna
is famous for it's various monuments. There is plenty to see:
Gothic St. Stephen's Cathedral, the
Imperial Palace, the Art Nouveau splendor of the Secession,
the magnificent baroque palace Schönbrunn or for the
one who prefer modern places - the Museum of Fine Arts or
the modern architecture at the MuseumsQuartier.
Imperial
Vienna
Vienna
offers alot of beautiful old spots to enjoy gothic, baroque
or even older architecture. The regime of the Habsburgs structure
the city and by exploring town you'll also learn about Europe's
history. Visit the splendid baroque Schönbrunn and Belvedere
Palaces, or stroll along the magnificent Ring Boulevard and
take a look at the heart of the former vast Habsburg empire,
the Imperial Palace. Other must-have-visit places are St.
Stephen's Cathedral, the Spanish Riding School, the Giant
Ferris Wheel at the Prater, as well as the sarcophagi in the
Imperial Vault.
The
Ring
The
Ring is Vienna's splendid boulevard on which you can enter
one of Vienna's famous tramways/streetcars and admire through
its windows the former Habsburg monarchy.
This grand boulevard encircles the City, which means the 1st
district and therefore the center of Vienna. It contains a
typical cross-section of government buildings, private mansions,
spacious squares and parks, monuments and elegant cafés.
Places
to be seen there are: Otto Wagner's Post Office Building,
the Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna's City Park, the Vienna
State Opera, the Imperial Palace, the Museums of Fine Arts
and Natural History, Parliament, the Burgtheater, the University
and the Stock Exchange.
Schönbrunn
Palace
Schönbrunn
is the heart of Vienna - the former summer residence of Empress
Sisi is situated in an enchanting park with the Palm House,
the Gloriette and a zoo. Being in a modern town, but nonetheless
in the middle of Mother Nature, the Viennese love their biggest
park to enjoy the beautiful view but also to be active while
jogging through the "Labyrinth".
Schönbrunn, the former summer residence of the imperial
family, is considered one of the most beautiful baroque palaces
in Europe. The Habsburgs resided here the better part of the
year in numerous rooms for the large imperial family in addition
to representational rooms. Emperor Franz Joseph, who later
married the enchanting Sisi and reigned from 1848 to 1916,
was born here in 1830. The monarch spent his last years entirely
in the palace, which became the property of the new Republic
of Austria only two years after his death. Today, the palace
is part of UNESCO's cultural heritage due to its historic
importance, its unique grounds and its splendid furnishings.
The
Zoo
Schoenbrunn Zoo is the world's oldest and only baroque zoo
- unique and a jewel of architecture. Today, it is also among
the most modern zoos as animal keeping and research are concerned.
Today,
one finds numerous young animals, not only in the elephant
cage but also with the tigers, cheetahs, polar bears, giraffes,
seals and penguins, hippopotami and all native species. Schönbrunn
is among the most modern zoos in the world. The motto of the
zoo, "Schönbrunn should be a zoo of happy animals,"
is clearly visible everywhere!
Imperial Palace - Hofburg
In
the middle of the City the Imperial Palace can be found. In
the center of the old city, you can admire the splendor and
magnificence of the daily life of the noblest family of the
Habsburg monarchy when you visit the private apartments and
state rooms. Numerous museums and collections represent the
imperial family's passion for art.
Today,
the Imperial Palace houses the office of the President of
Austria. It is surrounded by "Michaeler Tor", a
beautiful cupola, the national library as well as the Spanish
Riding School.
St.
Stephen's Cathedral
St. Stephen's Cathedral, Austria's most eminent Gothic edifice,
is Austria's most famous church. If you
climb the 343 steps to the tower-keeper's room of St. Stephen's
you can enjoy a breathtaking view.
The Viennese "Heuriger"
Whether it's a Riesling, white Burgundy or Blauer Zweigelt
- Viennese wine is superb! Enjoy the delicious Viennese grape
juice where it occurs most naturally: at a heuriger, a Viennese
tavern or a chic restaurant.
Vienna is not just a throbbing, modern city at the heart of
Europe; it is also its own wine region. Around 700 hectares
of vineyards can be found within the city limits - no other
city in the world can make that claim! The wines grown in
Vienna are primarily white wines; in particular Riesling and
white Burgundy grapes are made into especially fruity, elegant
wines. However, Viennese winegrowers are making more and more
red wines - especially Blaue Zweigelt. A goodly amount of
Viennese wine is enjoyed at heurigers and restaurants. And
the latest taste testings have proved once again:
Viennese wine is superb!
Other
important spots are the Belvedere, the Giant Ferris Wheel,
the Prater or the river Danube. At Mariahilfer Strasse, you
can fulfill your dreams of being a shopping-addict, with numerous
shops a place to enjoy shopping to the fullest. In summer
time enjoy a refreshing cocktail along "Donaukanal"
while sitting in one of Vienna's top spots - the Summerstage.
For those of you who like to stay fit, the Donauinsel - an
artificial island on the River Danube - is the place to be
for inline skating.
Whatever
you like to do or to see - Vienna can offer it!
