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Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city steeped in history and culture. It is known for its coffee houses, grand ballrooms, and stunning architecture, with many famous composers, writers, and artists having called the city home. Vienna has consistently been voted as having one of the highest qualities of living in the world, and it is easy to see why. From the majestic Stephansdom Cathedral to the beautiful gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace, there is much to explore in this magical city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Capital of Austria | Yes |
| Population | 2 million |
| Quality of living | Consistently voted as the highest in the world |
| Composers | Mozart, Joseph Haydn, Beethoven, Gustav Mahler, Robert Stolz, and Johann Strauss II |
| World's oldest zoo | Tiergarten Schönbrunn, or Schönbrunn Zoo |
| Balls | Over 300 balls take place every year, including the Opernball, the Philharmonic Ball, and the Blumenball |
| Croissant | The famous French pastry originated in Vienna |
| Birthplace of psychotherapy | Sigmund Freud lived and worked in Vienna for much of his career |
| Wine | The only capital city to produce significant quantities of wine within its city limits |
| Wiener Schnitzel | Austria's national dish |
| Sachertorte | A famous chocolate and apricot cake |
| St. Stephen's Cathedral | One of the world's most beautiful Gothic structures |
| Vienna State Opera House | Dates back to the 1860s |
| Museums | Naturhistorisches Museum, MUMOK, Leopold Museum, the Vienna Museum, the Baroque Museum, the Sisi Museum, the Imperial Treasury, the State Hall, the Spanish Riding School, the Albertina museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, the Hermesvilla, the Vienna Clock Museum, the Roman Museum, the Prater Museum, the Museum of Military History |
| Baroque palace | Schönbrunn Palace, with around 1,400 rooms |
| Gardens | Volksgarten, Privy Garden, Schönbrunner Schloss Park, the Hofburg Palace |
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What You'll Learn
Vienna is home to the world's oldest zoo
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is home to the world's oldest zoo. The Schönbrunn Zoo, also known as the Vienna Zoo, was established in 1752 in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace, the summer residence of Emperor Francis Stephen of Lorraine. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognised for its well-preserved Baroque architecture and beautiful setting.
The zoo has a long and fascinating history, enduring through wars and societal changes. During World War I, shortages of food, especially meat for carnivores, led to difficult decisions, and some animals were even slaughtered to feed others. The residents of Vienna played a crucial role in the zoo's survival during this period, donating animals and materials to sustain it.
Otto Antonius, the zoo's director from 1924 to 1945, was a biologist who introduced the concept of breeding endangered species for conservation. He strengthened the zoo's ties with educational and scientific institutions, reflecting its modernised role in education and conservation. Unfortunately, World War II brought new challenges, and the zoo suffered severe damage from aerial bombings.
Despite these hardships, the Schönbrunn Zoo continued to thrive and expand its collection of animals. In 1992, the zoo completed its first project under the leadership of managing director Helmut Pechlaner: the small monkey house, featuring outdoor enclosures for lemurs and gibbons. Other expansions included a modern elephant park, enclosures for big cats, giant pandas, and one of Europe's largest rhino enclosures.
Today, the zoo spans 17 hectares (42 acres) and is home to over 700 species, including some of the most endangered animals on the planet. It has been recognised as the best and most beautiful zoo in Europe on multiple occasions. A visit to the world's oldest zoo offers a unique blend of culture and nature, providing enjoyable experiences and insights into conservation efforts.
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The city is famous for its coffee house culture
Vienna is famous for its coffee house culture, which has become renowned the world over. The city's first coffee house was opened in 1683, following the end of the Second Turkish Siege of Vienna. Legend has it that Polish-Habsburg soldiers found sacks of strange beans, which they assumed were camel feed. These were granted to an officer, Jerzy Franciszek Kulczycki, who experimented with adding milk and sugar, and so the Viennese coffee tradition was born. Another account claims that the first coffee house was opened by an Armenian businessman named Johannes Theodat (aka Johannes Diodato or Deodat and Owanes Astouatzatur) in 1685.
The coffee house became a melting pot of minds, where writers, artists, musicians, intellectuals, and their financiers met. The writer Stefan Zweig described the Viennese coffee house as:
> "... actually a sort of democratic club, open to everyone for the price of a cheap cup of coffee, where every guest can sit for hours with this little offering, to talk, write, play cards, receive post, and above all consume an unlimited number of newspapers and journals."
The heyday of the coffee house was the turn of the nineteenth century when writers like Peter Altenberg, Alfred Polgar, Egon Friedell, Karl Kraus, Hermann Broch, and Friedrich Torberg made them their preferred place of work and pleasure. Many famous artists, scientists, and politicians of the period, such as Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, Adolf Loos, Theodor Herzl, and Alfred Adler, were also regulars.
The coffee houses are known for their relaxed atmosphere, with no pressure to order more or move on. Customers can sit for hours with a single coffee, reading newspapers, which were first introduced for guests' enjoyment in 1720. In the warmer months, they can sit outside in a Schanigarten. The coffee houses also serve small food dishes, such as sausages, cakes, and tarts.
In 1938, the Nazis seized Jewish-owned coffee houses, and in the 1950s, traditional coffee houses went into a period of crisis as Italian-style espresso bars became more popular. However, the tradition was revived in 1983 when Viennese coffee houses celebrated their 300th anniversary, and in 2011, Viennese coffee house culture was included by UNESCO in the national inventory of intangible cultural heritage.
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St. Stephen's Cathedral is one of the world's most beautiful Gothic structures
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is famous for its rich history and culture. It is home to the world's oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, which is also the only baroque zoo in the world. The city is also known for its balls, with over 300 taking place annually, including the Opernball, the Philharmonic Ball, and the Blumenball. Vienna is the only capital city to produce significant quantities of wine and is known for its food, including the Sachertorte (Sacher Cake) and the Wiener Schnitzel.
Now, onto St. Stephen's Cathedral, one of the world's most beautiful Gothic structures.
St. Stephen's Cathedral, or Stephansdom, is a majestic Roman Catholic church and a symbol of Vienna. With its towering spires and multi-coloured tile roof, it is a breathtaking sight. The cathedral boasts a rich history, with its construction beginning in the 12th century, and it has undergone various transformations over the centuries. The interior, for example, was remodelled in the Baroque style during the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the exterior retains its Gothic grandeur, with four beautiful towers, the tallest being the South Tower at 136 to 137 meters. The North Tower houses the famous Pummerin bell, the second-largest chimed church bell in Europe.
The interior of the cathedral is equally impressive, with ornate Baroque details melding with earlier Gothic elements. The decorative stone pulpit is a masterpiece of the late Gothic period, adorned with carvings of saints, lizards, and toads, all engaged in a battle between good and evil. The Fenstergucker, or window-gawker, is a self-portrait of the anonymous sculptor, peeking through a window. The cathedral also features over 40 altars, including the High Altar, which depicts the stoning of St. Stephen, and the Wiener Neustädter Altar, dating back to the mid-15th century.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is not just an architectural marvel but also a symbol of Vienna's history and identity. It has been a landmark for centuries and played a significant role in the city's reconstruction after the Second World War. The cathedral is a testament to the communal effort of the Viennese people, who eagerly contributed to its restoration.
Climbing the South Tower's 343 steps rewards visitors with panoramic views of the city, and the catacombs beneath the cathedral offer a glimpse into its darker side, housing the remains of approximately 10,000 Viennese citizens.
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The Vienna State Opera House is magnificent
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a city steeped in history and culture. It is home to many famous landmarks, museums, and attractions, including the magnificent Vienna State Opera House.
The Vienna State Opera House is a historic opera house and opera company based in the city. It is considered one of the most important opera houses in the world, with the largest repertoire of any opera house. The building is also home to the Vienna State Ballet and hosts the annual Vienna Opera Ball during the carnival season. With 1,709 seats, it is a grand example of Renaissance Revival architecture and was the first major building on the Vienna Ring Road.
The opera house was built between 1861 and 1869, following plans by August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll and designs by Josef Hlávka. The Neo-Renaissance style building features lavish frescoes, elegant intermission rooms, and ornate decorations. The original opera house, the Vienna Court Opera, was built in 1636 inside the Hofburg, and the new site was chosen and funded by Emperor Franz Joseph in 1861.
During World War II, the opera house was set alight by an American bombardment, destroying the auditorium, stage, décor, and props. Lengthy discussions took place about whether to rebuild or restore the opera house, and eventually, it was decided to restore it to its former glory. Reconstruction began in 1948, and the opera house officially reopened in 1955 with a performance of Beethoven's Fidelio.
The Vienna State Opera House continues to be a cultural landmark in Vienna, attracting visitors and opera enthusiasts from around the world. It is a testament to the city's rich history and enduring appreciation for the arts.
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The city is known for its grand balls
Vienna, Austria's capital, is known for its grand balls, with over 300 balls taking place annually. The ball season, which begins on November 11, marks the start of the carnival season, with a public waltz dance in the city centre. The season reaches its peak in January and February, with more than 450 balls taking place in total. The balls are held in some of the city's most beautiful venues, including the State Opera, the Vienna Hofburg, and the Imperial Palace.
The balls offer a mix of traditional waltz and contemporary music, with many now organised by professional guilds. The Coffee Makers' Ball, for example, transforms the Imperial Palace into a festive dance café, while the Confectioners' Ball celebrates all things sweet. The Vienna Philharmonic Ball sees guests dancing in the famous Musikverein, while the Opera Ball at the Vienna State Opera is legendary, with the federal president among its prominent guests.
The balls are a highlight of Vienna's cultural and social calendar, with a special ambiance created by their ceremonial programmes and courtly customs, which date back to the 18th century. There are strict dress codes, with ladies wearing long evening gowns and men wearing tuxedos or tailcoats. The balls typically open with a polonaise of young ladies in white dresses and their escorts, followed by the exclamation "Alles Walzer!", inviting guests to the dance floor.
The tradition of balls in Vienna dates back to the Congress of Vienna in 1814-15, which met to reorganise Europe after Napoleon's downfall. The political work was accompanied by constant balls, giving rise to the legendary saying, "The congress dances!". The waltz, a couples dance that initially caused moral outrage, was made socially acceptable by the Congress, with the melodies of the "Waltz King" Johann Strauss II shaping the Viennese ball scene.
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Frequently asked questions
Vienna is famous for its rich history, art, music, and food. It is also known for its high quality of living, efficient public transportation system, and beautiful architecture.
Some famous landmarks in Vienna include St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Vienna State Opera House, Schönbrunn Palace, and the Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn Zoo).
Some famous foods in Vienna include Wiener Schnitzel, Sacher Torte (or Sachertorte), and the Kipferl (the precursor to the croissant).
