Vienna: Austria's Captivating Capital City

is vienna capital of austria

Vienna is the capital of Austria and its most populous city, with around two million inhabitants. It is also one of nine federal states of Austria and the country's primate city. Vienna's rich history dates back to the days of the Habsburg Austrian Empire, and its old town architecture reflects this imperial past. The city is known for its coffee house culture, musical heritage, and beautiful natural spaces.

Characteristics Values
Country Austria
Status Capital of Austria
Population 2 million (2.9 million in metropolitan area)
Language German
Currency Euro
Location Northeastern Austria
Rivers Danube, Vienna River
Mountains Alps
Climate Humid subtropical

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Vienna's history

Vienna has a long and varied history, beginning when the Roman Empire created a military camp in the area now covered by Vienna's city centre. Known as Vindobona, it was an important trading site in the 11th century and became the capital of the Babenberg dynasty. It was subsequently the seat of the Austrian Habsburgs, under whom it became one of Europe's cultural hubs.

In the 16th century, the Habsburgs established Vienna as the seat of the Holy Roman Empire, a position it held until the empire's dissolution in 1806. Vienna then became the capital of the Austrian Empire in 1804, and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Vienna was the site of two sieges by Ottoman armies in the 16th and 17th centuries, which were both repelled by Christian forces. The Great Plague of Vienna in 1679 killed nearly a third of the city's population.

Vienna became the capital of the Republic of Austria after World War I. During World War II, it was annexed by Nazi Germany and became known as "Greater Vienna". After the war, Vienna was divided into five zones, occupied by British, French, American, and Soviet forces. In 1955, Austria regained its independence, and Vienna once again became the capital of a sovereign Austria.

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Vienna's culture and food

Vienna is the cultural, economic, and political centre of Austria. It is known for its musical legacy, with many famous classical musicians having lived and worked in the city. As such, it is known as the "City of Music".

Viennese Food

Viennese food has been influenced by the imperial regions and vanquished enemies of the Habsburgs, as well as the city's own creations. Traditional dishes include:

  • Wiener Schnitzel: a cutlet of veal, pork, or chicken, pounded flat, coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and fried in clarified butter.
  • Tafelspitz: a boiled beef dish, traditionally served with Geröstete Erdäpfel (mashed potatoes) and horseradish sauce.
  • Knödel: dumplings in soup, as a side with meat dishes, or as a sweet dessert.
  • Sausages: ubiquitous in Vienna, the most popular variety is the Käsekrainer.
  • Kaiserschmarrn: shredded pancake with plum compote.
  • Marillenknödel: sweet dumplings.
  • Apple strudel.
  • Sachertorte: a chocolate cake invented at the house of Prince Metternich.
  • The Gugelhupf: a marbled cake with a distinctive ring shape.
  • The Imperial Torte: a chocolate cake created for Emperor Franz Joseph.

Viennese Culture

Viennese culture is steeped in music, theatre, opera, and fine arts. The city has seven concert halls, and the Vienna Boys' Choir, founded in 1498, sings on Sunday mornings at the mass in the Hofburg Chapel. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the State Opera House and at concert halls around the city.

Vienna is also known for its coffeehouse culture, which dates back to the 17th century. The coffeehouses serve a variety of coffee specialities and pastries, and are often treated by locals as a second living room.

The city is also known for its balls, which are held during the Carnival season from November to February. Guests adhere to a strict dress code, and food served at the balls includes sausages with bread and Gulaschsoups.

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Vienna's music

Vienna, the capital of Austria, has long been a hub for musical development in central Europe. The sponsorship of the Habsburg dynasty and the imperial court created an excellent environment for musicians and artists. Many great composers were attracted to the city, and the Viennese musical tradition has continued for centuries.

Joseph Haydn, the doyen of the Vienna Classic period, was a choir boy at St. Stephen's Cathedral. He spent most of his career in the service of the music-loving Prince Esterhazy outside of the capital, but settled in Vienna at the age of 65, where he spent the remaining 12 years of his life. He composed over a hundred symphonies, a great number of chamber music works, and numerous oratorios and masses.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart moved to Vienna in 1781, the city at whose imperial court he had enjoyed great success as a child prodigy. He remained in Vienna until the end of his life, composing his most famous operas, such as "The Marriage of Figaro", "Così Fan Tutte", and "Don Giovanni".

Ludwig van Beethoven moved to Vienna from Germany, and changed residences 69 times during his 35 years in the city. He composed symphonies, chamber music, concertos, and the opera "Fidelio".

Franz Schubert, nicknamed "Schwammerl" (mushroom) by his friends, composed almost a thousand musical works during his short life, including over 600 lieder, 9 symphonies, chamber works, and challenging piano music. Schubert and his friends celebrated musical evenings together, called "Schubertiaden", a tradition that has since been revived in Vienna and elsewhere.

Anton Bruckner lived and taught in Vienna for many decades. Known as "God's Musician", his devout religious beliefs influenced his glorious symphonies.

Johannes Brahms, a composer of great music born in Northern Germany, chose Vienna to pursue his musical ambitions. He was envious of Johann Strauss Son, the Waltz King, to whom he dedicated the first bars of "The Blue Danube". Strauss' Waltz "An der schönen blauen Donau" is a masterpiece everyone has heard at least once in their life.

Gustav Mahler, the artistic director of the Wiener Staatsoper for ten seasons, is commemorated with a plaque at the Vienna State Opera House.

The Viennese musical tradition continued into the 20th century with composers such as Arnold Schönberg, Anton von Webern, and Alban Berg, who are referred to as the "Viennese School".

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Vienna's coffee house culture

Vienna is the capital of Austria, and its coffee house culture is so important that it was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2011.

The coffee house is an integral part of what it means to be Viennese. The social practices, rituals, and elegance create a very specific atmosphere in the Viennese café. Coffee houses entice customers with a wide variety of coffee drinks, international newspapers, and pastry creations.

Viennese coffee houses are places where people can sit for hours, alone or with others, reading, writing, playing cards, and socialising. They are described as "democratic clubs, open to everyone for the price of a cheap cup of coffee".

The coffee houses are known for their marble tabletops, Thonet chairs, newspaper tables, and interior design details in the style of historicism. The waiting staff dress in black and white, with waiters commonly wearing tuxedos.

The first Viennese coffee house was opened in 1683 or 1685 by an Armenian businessman named Johannes Diodato or Johannes Theodat. The new drink was well-received, and soon coffee houses began popping up rapidly.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, leading writers of the time became attached to the atmosphere of Viennese cafés and were frequently seen meeting, exchanging ideas, and even writing there. This gave rise to the term "coffee house literature", and the writers themselves were known as "coffee house poets".

The coffee house culture then spread throughout Central Europe, creating a special multicultural climate. Writers, artists, musicians, intellectuals, and their financiers met in these spaces.

In the 1950s, the popularity of television and the emergence of modern espresso bars led to the closure of many famous Viennese coffee houses. However, many of these classic coffee houses still exist today, and there has been a renewed interest in their tradition.

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Vienna's parks and natural beauty

Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city rich in natural beauty and home to many parks. Here is a detailed overview of some of Vienna's most notable parks and natural attractions:

Volksgarten

Volksgarten is undoubtedly one of Vienna's most beautiful parks. Located in the heart of the city, it was once part of the Imperial Palace grounds and showcases traces of its French Baroque origin. The park boasts a stunning rose garden with over 3,000 rose bushes and a diverse collection of over 400 rose varieties. At the centre of Volksgarten stands the 10.5-metre-tall Theseus Temple, a true-to-scale replica of the Hephaistos Temple in Athens. The park also features a memorial honouring Austrian Empress Elisabeth, known as Sisi.

Türkenschanzpark

Located in the 18th district of Währing, Türkenschanzpark was once the city's largest park until 1918. Today, it offers a vibrant green oasis with colourful recreational facilities, including volleyball and baseball courts, skating rinks, and ping pong tables. The park is adorned with monuments honouring famous figures such as Adalbert Stifter, and it is home to the Paulinenwarte, a small observation tower. The presence of the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences nearby means that visitors can also discover rare plants from all over the world throughout the park.

Stadtpark

Stadtpark, Vienna's oldest publicly accessible park, opened in 1862. It offers a peaceful retreat in the heart of the city, featuring lush greenery and an array of monuments and sculptures. The park is particularly known for the famous golden Johann Strauss Monument. Stadtpark is also home to Meierei im Stadtpark, part of the renowned Restaurant Steirereck, where visitors can indulge in a sumptuous breakfast or savour the finest Viennese cuisine by the Wien River.

Kurpark Oberlaa

Although less centrally located, Kurpark Oberlaa is well worth the excursion. Easily accessible via the U1 subway line, this vast park comprises multiple individual sections that were initially opened in 1974 as part of Vienna's International Garden Show. Kurpark is an excellent destination for families, offering exciting playgrounds, animal enclosures, and expansive meadows perfect for picnics and outdoor activities. Be sure to explore the park's thematic sections, such as the Allergy Garden, Flower Labyrinth, Film City, and Japanese Garden.

Augarten

Augarten, Vienna's oldest baroque garden, boasts a tumultuous history, having been almost completely destroyed twice. Today, it stands as a serene oasis with extensive meadows and impressive avenues. The park is home to two world-famous Viennese institutions: the Augarten Porcelain Manufactory and the Vienna Boys' Choir.

Donaupark

On the other side of the Danube, Donaupark is a sprawling green space that hosts Austria's tallest building, the Danube Tower. Created during the 1964 Vienna International Garden Show, Donaupark offers an array of attractions, including vibrant flowerbeds, a large central pond, and various sports facilities for jogging, tennis, and more.

Burggarten

Nestled between the Imperial Palace and Albertina, adjacent to the famous Ringstrasse, Burggarten has long been a quiet and popular natural oasis. The park is adorned with several impressive monuments and statues that complement its imperial style. Notable highlights include a 7.5-metre marble statue of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Vienna's oldest equestrian statue. Burggarten is also home to the Butterfly House, featuring over 50 species of butterflies, and the Palm House Café, where visitors can enjoy refreshments with a stunning view of the park.

In addition to these parks, Vienna offers a plethora of other natural attractions, such as the Vienna Woods, a vast area of woodland perfect for hiking and nature exploration, and the Danube Canal (Donau Kanal), a historic waterway that offers scenic walks and boat tours.

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