Damon Mcknight
Austria is a country with a rich culture and history, boasting many famous landmarks, dishes, and sports. From the beautiful city of Vienna, home to St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Danube Tower, to the picturesque Innsbruck Old Town with its well-preserved medieval architecture and the iconic Golden Roof, Austria offers a plethora of stunning sights. The country's cuisine is equally enticing, with traditional dishes such as Wiener Schnitzel, Sauerbraten, and Kaiserschmarrn, a fluffy caramelized pancake dessert. Austria is also known for its soups, including goulash and Fiakergulasch, as well as its variety of sausages, like the Vienna sausage. When it comes to sports, football, ice hockey, and skiing reign supreme, with international competitions and local leagues attracting enthusiasts from near and far.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Famous drink | Coffee, Red Bull, Almdudler, Sturm, Spritzer, Aperol Spritz, Kaiserspritzer, Hugo-Spritzer, Radler |
| National dish | Wiener Schnitzel |
| Famous for | Alps, lakes, forests, waterfalls, glaciers, charming villages, historical landmarks, skiing opportunities |
| Classical music composers | Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss |
| Folk dances | Schuhplattler, Ländler, Polka, Waltz, Zwiefacher, Kontratänze, Sprachinseltänze |
| Cities | Vienna, Graz, Innsbruck, Hallstatt, Linz |
| Palaces | Schönbrunn, Belvedere |
| Cathedrals | Stephansdom, St. Martin's Church |
| Abbey | Stift Melk |
| Railway | Semmering Railway |
| Popular tradition | Christkindlmarkt, Easter egg battle |
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What You'll Learn
Most famous drink: Coffee
Austria is known for its coffee culture, with the country's passion for coffee said to have been established in 1683 when the Turks abandoned several sacks of coffee during their retreat from the siege of Vienna. The victorious Viennese brewed the coffee, and the first kaffeehaus (coffeehouse) was established in the city that same year. Coffeehouses are an integral part of Vienna's culture, with the daily 4 pm coffee-and-pastry ritual known as Jause. There are many ways to order coffee in Vienna, from verkehrt (almost milk pale) to mocca (ebony black). Ordering einfach einen kaffee (just a coffee) will prompt the barista to ask you what type of coffee you would like, so your safest choice is a large or small brauner—coffee with milk. Kaffee mit schlagobers (with whipped cream) is perfect for those who like their coffee on the sweeter side, and you can even ask for doppelschlag (double whipped cream).
In addition to coffee, Austria has a variety of other famous drinks. The country is known for its wine, with seasonal wine taverns called Most-Heurige serving the year's wine alongside a limited food selection in a simple and sociable setting. Sturm is a new wine that is in the process of fermentation and is made from white or red grapes. According to Austrian wine law, it can only be sold between August 1 and December 31 and must have an alcohol content of at least 1%. Spritzer, or G’spritzter, is a traditional Austrian drink made with white wine and soda or sparkling mineral water, often enjoyed as an aperitif or with a meal. A sweet version of the Spritzer is made with lemonade instead of soda water, and a popular variation is the Aperol Spritz, which is mixed with Aperol and served with a slice of orange. Another traditional variation is the Kaiserspritzer, which includes elderberry syrup, and the Hugo-Spritzer, which adds fresh mint to the mix for a less sweet taste.
Beer-based mixed drinks are also popular in Austria, such as the Radler, which is usually mixed with Almdudler, Sprite, or a lemon-based lemonade. During the summer months, Radler is a go-to choice for many due to its thirst-quenching reputation. Elderberry syrup is a common ingredient in Austrian drinks and is made from an extract of elderflower blossoms. It is used in various mixed drinks, as well as in cooking and baking. Palatschinken (crepes) with elderberry filling is a popular treat. Most, or young wine, is freshly pressed fruit juice, commonly made from grapes, and is the first step in the wine-making process.
When it comes to liqueurs, slivovitz (a plum brandy) and barack (made from apricots) are two of the most famous and favoured among Austrians. Bowle, a festive drink often served at parties, is made by soaking berries and sliced peaches overnight in brandy, adding dry white wine, and letting it stand for a few hours before serving. Finally, Almdudler, a fizzy soft drink inspired by the flavours of Alpine meadowland herbs, has been one of the most popular soft drinks in Austria since 1957.
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Most famous food: Wiener Schnitzel
Wiener Schnitzel is one of the national dishes of Austria and is one of the best-known specialties of Viennese cuisine. The dish is made of thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlets. The designation Wiener Schnitzel first appeared in the 19th century, with the first known mention in a cookbook from 1831. In the popular southern German cookbook by Katharina Prato, it was mentioned as "Eingebröselte Kalbsschnitzchen" or "breaded veal cutlets".
According to a tale, the dish was brought to Vienna in 1857 by Austrian Field Marshal Radetzky, who developed a liking for "Cotoletta alla Milanese" during his time in Italy. However, linguist Heinz-Dieter Pohl disputed this story, arguing that there is no mention of it in the literature about Radetzky, and that similar dishes existed in Austrian cuisine before the Schnitzel, such as the popular Backhendl, which was first mentioned in a cookbook from 1719.
To prepare Wiener Schnitzel, the veal slices are butterfly cut, lightly pounded flat, and seasoned. They are then rolled in flour, dipped in whipped eggs, and coated in breadcrumbs. The dish is then fried in lard or clarified butter at a temperature of 160–170 °C (320–340 °F) until it turns golden yellow or brown. The Schnitzel must be fully submerged in the fat to ensure even cooking.
Wiener Schnitzel is typically served with side dishes such as cucumber salad, potato salad, french fries, or parsley potatoes. In the early 20th century, the garnish consisted of capers and anchovies. While the traditional recipe uses veal, a popular variation uses pork, as it is cheaper. To avoid confusion, Austrian law requires that Wiener Schnitzel be made with veal, and dishes made with pork are given different names, such as "Wiener Schnitzel vom Schwein" or "Schnitzel Wiener Art".
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Most famous musician: Mozart
Austria is known for its rich musical history, particularly in the classical genre. The country's most famous musician is undoubtedly Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, widely recognised as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music.
Mozart was born in Salzburg, Austria, in 1756, and displayed prodigious musical talent from a very young age. By the time he was five years old, he could read and write music, and he began writing his first compositions at the age of six. Mozart's father, Leopold, was the author of a famous violin-playing manual and provided intensive musical training to both Mozart and his sister, Nannerl.
The young Mozart's skills as a keyboard performer were particularly notable, and he performed at various imperial courts across Europe, including in Vienna, Paris, and London. During these travels, he met many musicians and familiarised himself with a diverse range of musical styles and tastes. Mozart's first symphony was written when he was just eight years old, and by the time he was ten, his reputation as a composer was already comparable to that of established, older musicians.
Mozart composed music in several genres, including opera, symphony, chamber, and choral. He was incredibly prolific, composing over 600 pieces of music in total, including some of the most famous and beloved works in the classical repertoire. Notable compositions by Mozart include the motet "Exsultate, Jubilate, K 165" (1773), the operas "Le nozze di Figaro" (1786) and "Don Giovanni" (1787), and the "Jupiter Symphony" (1788).
Mozart's influence on composers of later generations, such as Ludwig van Beethoven, was significant. Beethoven is known to have performed Mozart's operas and travelled to Vienna hoping to study with him. Mozart's works continue to be studied as a standard part of classical musician training, and his versatility, dexterity, and ability to convey feeling through music are widely celebrated.
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Most famous dance: Waltz
The Waltz is one of the world's most popular dances, but it wasn't always so well-regarded. Originating in what is now Germany and Austria in the 13th century, the Waltz was once denounced as "lustful" by church authorities due to its close-hold and quick rotations. It was even considered the root of all evil during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Despite this, the dance was picked up by other nations, each of which created its own form and style. The form recognised today was born in the suburbs of Vienna and Austria's mountain regions. It was played and danced in the ballrooms of the Habsburg court during the 17th century and had been accepted by the high class by the end of the 18th century.
The Waltz was also embraced by established musicians such as Franz Schubert, Johann Strauss I, and his son, Johann Strauss II, who became known as the "Waltz King". The dance's popularity led to the construction of numerous dance halls in Vienna, and it established itself as a standard accompaniment for noble events.
In the modern ballroom dance, two versions of the Viennese Waltz are recognised: International Style and American Style. The Viennese Waltz is a rotary dance where the dancers are constantly turning either toward the leader's right (natural) or toward the leader's left (reverse), interspersed with non-rotating change steps.
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Most famous palace: Schönbrunn
Schönbrunn Palace is one of the most famous palaces in Austria. It was built in 1696 by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach for Emperor Leopold I. Empress Maria Theresa of Austria later ordered the palace to be restyled in the Rococo style. Schönbrunn is a Baroque palace, and with 1,441 rooms, it is the largest palace in Austria. It was the main summer residence of the Habsburg rulers and is located in Hietzing, the 13th district of Vienna. The name Schönbrunn, meaning "beautiful spring", is derived from an artesian well that supplied water to the court.
The palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historic monuments in the country. Its history and that of its vast gardens span over 300 years, reflecting the changing tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs. Schönbrunn has been a major tourist attraction since the mid-1950s. The gardens and palace have been the location for many films and television productions, including the Sissi trilogy in the 1950s, A Breath of Scandal starring Sophia Loren, and the Bond movie The Living Daylights.
The palace grounds also contain the oldest zoo in the world. In 1996, Schönbrunn Palace was added to the United Nations' World Cultural Heritage List and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is now owned and administered by the Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur-und Betriebsges.m.b.H., a limited-liability company wholly owned by the Republic of Austria. The company is responsible for the preservation and restoration of all palace properties without state subsidies.
Schönbrunn Palace is featured on the Austrian 10-euro silver coin, minted on 8 October 2003. It is also known for its classical concerts, with daily performances at the original location of the famous 1786 contest between Mozart and Salieri.
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Frequently asked questions
Vienna Schnitzel is considered the national dish of Austria. It is made of a layer of thin bread along with a pan-fried veal cutlet. Other famous Austrian dishes include Spargel, Buchteln, and Powidltascherl.
Radler, a beer-based mixed drink, is very popular in Austria during the summer. Another popular summer drink is the Spritzer, made with white wine and soda or sparkling mineral water. Red Bull is also the best-selling export of Austria.
Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in Austria. Other popular sports include skiing, ice hockey, and tennis.
The Vienna Natural History Museum is one of the most visited museums in Austria. Hangar-7 is also a popular museum in Austria, which is known for its food and its collection of planes, helicopters, and race cars.
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