Vienna's Iconic Sights: A Traveler's Guide

Vienna, Austria, is a city that relishes its past. It is a city that represents refinement and culture to visitors, who will not lack for things to see and do. Here are some of the must-see sights in Vienna:

- Schönbrunn Palace: This 1,441-room palace, comparable in grandeur to Versailles, was the summer residence of the Habsburg emperors. It reflects the beauty and charm of Baroque architecture and is considered an architectural and cultural icon.

- St. Stephen's Cathedral: One of the most beloved landmarks of Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral is a symbol of the city and country. It has the second-largest chimed bell and provides stunning views from its 500-foot south tower.

- Hofburg Imperial Palace: This palace has played an integral part in Austrian government since the 13th century and has been home to some of Europe's most powerful royalty. Today, it is a museum and home to the president of Austria.

- Belvedere Palace: This consists of two Baroque palaces, the Lower and Upper Belvedere, and houses one of the greatest collections of Gustav Klimt’s paintings.

- Vienna State Opera House: Vienna is synonymous with famous composers, and watching a performance at the Vienna State Opera is a must when in the city.

- Kunsthistorisches Museum: This museum, opened by Emperor Franz Joseph I in 1891, was established to house the Habsburg's extensive art collection. It features works by Caravaggio, Tintoretto, van Dyck, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Rubens.

- St. Peter's Church: One of the oldest churches in Vienna, St. Peter's Church is also Vienna's oldest worship site. It is graced by the beauty of Baroque architecture and is free to visit.

- The Imperial Crypt: Set beneath the Capuchin Church, the Imperial Crypt serves as a burial vault for members of the Habsburg dynasty.

- The Austrian Parliament Building: This building showcases a perfect amalgamation of Greek and Roman architecture.

Schönbrunn Palace

The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in the country. The palace became the property of the newly founded Austrian Republic after the downfall of the Habsburg monarchy in November 1918 and was preserved as a museum. It is still sometimes used for important events, such as the 1961 meeting between U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Soviet premier Nikita Khrushchev.

The palace complex includes many noteworthy features, such as the Tiergarten, an orangerie, and a palm house. The gardens, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, are a must-see, with sweeping vistas and sumptuous Baroque landscaping. If you're travelling with kids, the Children's Museum is a great option, where they can dress up as princes and princesses.

A tour through the palace's interior is a journey through impressive European history. You can explore the private apartments of Franz Joseph and Elisabeth, the southern reception rooms, and the State Apartments, including those occupied by Maria Theresa. The Blue Staircase is particularly noteworthy, as it is the grandest stairway in the palace, leading only to the principal floor.

The Schönbrunn Palace Orchestra performs daily concerts at the original location of the world-famous contest between Mozart and Salieri in 1786. Classical music lovers can also enjoy concerts featuring the music of Mozart and his contemporaries, with the added benefit of more time in the spectacular halls, Orangerie, or Schlosstheater.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

The cathedral is centrally located at Stephansplatz, where Vienna's major streets, Karntnerstrasse and Graben, converge. It can be easily reached via U-Bahn (Red Line 1 & Orange Line 2). The cathedral's soaring towers can be seen almost everywhere in Vienna City and its vicinity.

The interior of the cathedral is awe-inspiring, with an ornate Gothic style nave and beautiful statues carved on the walls. The beautiful Great Organ looms on the upper gallery. The cathedral has had a remarkable history, having witnessed two major crises: the Ottoman Turk's Siege of Vienna in 1529 and the Battle of Vienna in 1683, which almost precluded the glorious cultural feats of the Hapsburg Dynasty.

During World War II, the cathedral was saved from destruction at the hands of retreating German forces. However, fires set by looters of nearby shops spread to the cathedral, causing the roof to collapse. Reconstruction began immediately after the war, and the cathedral was reopened in 1952.

The Hofburg

The complex includes various residences, the imperial chapel, the imperial library, the treasury, the Burgtheater, the Spanish Riding School, and the imperial mews. The oldest parts of the palace date back to the 13th century and include a gothic chapel and the treasury, which is affiliated with the Kunsthistorisches Museum. The Court Music Chapel is located inside the Court Chapel, where the Vienna Boys' Choir traditionally sings mass on Sundays.

The palace faces Heldenplatz (Heroes' Square), which was ordered under the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The appearance of the Swiss Court dates back to the Renaissance during the reign of Emperor Ferdinand I. The Swiss Gate entrance displays the many titles of Ferdinand I and the insignia of the Order of the Golden Fleece.

With its rich history and stunning architecture, the Hofburg is a must-see destination for anyone visiting Vienna.

Belvedere Palace

The Belvedere Palace is a complex of historic buildings in Vienna, Austria, consisting of two Baroque palaces (the Upper and Lower Belvedere), the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The buildings are set in a Baroque park landscape in the third district of the city, on the southeastern edge of its centre. The complex was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy and currently houses the Belvedere museum, also known as the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere.

The Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces feature impressive Baroque architecture, with the former serving as a representation space and the latter as the residential palace of Prince Eugene. The Upper Belvedere is renowned for housing one of Austria's most valuable art collections, including key works by Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Oskar Kokoschka. The heart of the collection is formed by 24 paintings of Gustav Klimt, notably "The Kiss" and "Judith". The permanent exhibition showcases Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day, alongside works from international artists such as Claude Monet, Vincent van Gogh, and Auguste Rodin.

The Lower Belvedere boasts lavish interiors, including the Groteskensaal (Hall of the Grotesque), the Marble Gallery, and the Golden Room. The palace also features a Marble Hall, notable for its oval plaster medallions and rich ceiling fresco. The grounds of the Belvedere include decorative tiered fountains and cascades, Baroque sculptures, and majestic wrought iron gates. The gardens, designed in the formal French manner, include a great water basin in the upper parterre and stairs and cascades adorned with nymphs and goddesses.

The Belvedere has undergone various transformations and served multiple purposes throughout its history. After Prince Eugene's death, the complex was inherited by his niece, Princess Victoria, who later sold it to Maria Theresa, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI. In 1776, Maria Theresa and her son, Emperor Joseph II, decided to transfer the imperial art collection to the Upper Belvedere, making it one of the first public museums in the world. The Lower Belvedere served as a residence for royal family members, including Princess Marie Thérèse Charlotte and Archduke Ferdinand.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the Belvedere Palaces ceased to be public museums for a period. Emperor Franz Joseph I designated the Upper Belvedere as a residence for the heir to the throne, his nephew Franz Ferdinand. The Moderne Galerie, the first state collection dedicated to modern art, was opened in the Lower Belvedere in 1903. After World War I and the collapse of the Habsburg Monarchy, the palaces were nationalized and became home to the Österreichische Galerie (Austrian Gallery) and the Moderne Galerie.

During World War II, the Belvedere suffered damage, with parts of the Marble Hall in the Upper Belvedere and the Hall of Grotesques in the Lower Belvedere destroyed by bombs. Restoration efforts took place from 1945 to 1953, and the Österreichische Galerie and the Baroque Museum reopened in 1953. The Belvedere has since undergone further renovations to restore its original Baroque character and modernize its facilities.

Vienna State Opera House

The Vienna State Opera House is one of the world's largest and most splendid theatres. It is also one of the world's leading opera houses and has been through a lot during its long history.

The current Opera House was built in 1869 and is notable for its French Early Renaissance style. The interior features a grand staircase leading to the first floor, the Schwind Foyer, named after its paintings of famous opera scenes, and the exquisite Tea Room with its valuable tapestries. The building is characterised by its 'Renaissance elbow style', with a central tract leading to the 'Ringstraße', a domed roof, an auditorium, and a stage.

The Opera House is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Vienna State Ballet. It also hosts the annual Vienna Opera Ball during the carnival season.

The Vienna State Opera is the successor of the old Vienna Court Opera, built in 1636 inside the Hofburg. The new site was chosen and paid for by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1861. The building was designed by August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll, and constructed by Czech architect and contractor Josef Hlávka. The Opera House was the first major building on the Vienna Ringstrasse.

The Opera House was not popular with the public when it was first built. It was criticised for not being as grand as the Heinrichshof, a private residence, and was likened to "a sunken treasure chest". Neither of the architects lived to see the building's completion. Eduard van der Nüll committed suicide and, two months later, August von Sicardsburg died of a heart attack.

Towards the end of World War II, the opera was set alight by an American bombardment. The auditorium, stage, décor, and props were destroyed. However, the front section, which had been walled off, remained intact. The State Opera was temporarily housed at the Theater an der Wien and the Vienna Volksoper.

The Opera House was rebuilt and reopened in 1955 with a performance of Beethoven's Fidelio. The new auditorium has a capacity of about 2,276, including 567 standing room places.

The Vienna State Opera is one of the busiest opera houses in the world, producing 50 to 60 operas and ten ballet productions in more than 350 performances per year. It is common to find a different opera being produced each day of the week. The Opera House employs over 1,000 people and has an annual operating budget of 100 million euros, with slightly more than 50% coming from a state subsidy.

The Vienna State Opera offers tours during the day. Formal wear is highly recommended for performances, although it is not mandatory, and business attire will suffice.

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