Leslie Massey
Austria is a country steeped in history and culture. From its stunning castles and palaces to its delicious food and drinks, there is much to explore. Austrians are known for their love of punctuality, their appreciation for classical music and folk dancing, and their proud Catholic traditions. The country is also famous for its winter sports and Alpine traditions, with two-thirds of Austrians living in cities, particularly the capital, Vienna. When it comes to food, apple strudel (Apfelstrudel) and Wiener Schnitzel are iconic dishes, and Austria's national drink, Almdudler, is a must-try.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cuisine | Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, Kaiserschmarrn, Apple Strudel, Sachertorte, Bratwurst, Sauerbraten, Bavarian Pretzel, and Apfelstrudel |
| Music | Classical music, folk music, and punk rock |
| Composers | Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, and Schubert |
| Psychoanalysts | Sigmund Freud |
| Poets | Georg Trakl, Franz Werfel, Franz Grillparzer, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Adalbert Stifter |
| Novelists | Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, Thomas Bernhard, and Robert Musil |
| Playwrights and Novelists | Elfriede Jelinek and Peter Handke |
| Dance | Schuhplattler, Ländler, Polka, Waltz, Zwiefacher, Kontratänze, and Sprachinseltänze |
| Architecture | Baroque-style palaces, Belvedere, and Schönbrunn |
| Cathedrals | Stephansdom and St. Martin's Church in Linz |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Pubs | Beer gardens |
| National Drink | Almdudler |
| Fashion | Classic cuts and Black Milk tights |
| Punctuality | Being on time |
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Austrian food
Austrian cuisine is internationally renowned for its pastries, including the Kaiserschmarrn, a dessert or meal of shredded pancakes with jams, sweet sauces, or fruit compotes; and the Apfelstrudel, a spiral-shaped dessert of apples, cinnamon, raisins, and dough. Another famous Austrian pastry is the Sachertorte, a chocolate cake with apricot jam, traditionally eaten with whipped cream. This cake was created by the Sacher Hotel, but a rival bakery, Demel, also fashioned their own version using only a single layer of jam. Other Austrian cakes and pastries include the caramel-flavoured Dobostorte, the delicately layered Esterhazy Torte, the Punschkrapfen, a cake filled with cake crumbs, nougat chocolate, and apricot jam soaked in rum, and the Tirolerkuchen, a hazelnut and chocolate coffee cake.
Dumplings are an important part of Austrian cuisine, with the most popular being the Knödel, which can be both sweet and savoury. Dumplings in Austria include the Kasnocken (cheese dumplings), Speckknödel (dumplings with bacon), and Spinatknödel (made of spinach).
Austrian sausages are traditionally made from beef and pork, and are served with sharp mustard, Austrian potato salad, radishes, asparagus, and other fresh vegetables. The Vienna sausage is a type of parboiled sausage made of pork and beef, then smoked at low temperatures. It is used in main dishes or fried and served in a hot bun. Other Austrian sausages include the Frankfurter, Käsekrainer, Debreziner, Burenwurst, and Blunzn, made from pig's blood.
Game dishes are common in Austrian cuisine, with the most popular meats being beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and goose. The national dish of Austria is the Wiener Schnitzel, made from a thin cutlet of tenderised veal that is breaded and then fried in butter or oil. In Vienna, the Wiener Schnitzel is heavily regulated and can only be made with veal, but in other parts of the country, it is often made with pork and called Schweinschnitzel. Krautfleisch or Szegediner Krautfleisch is a ragout prepared from pork and sauerkraut, and Krautspatzle is a dish of small noodles and cabbage.
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Austrian culture
Austria is known for its rich cultural offerings, including classical music, folk music, baroque architecture, coffee culture, winter sports, and Alpine traditions. The country has a long history of producing renowned composers, such as Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, and Schubert, whose works can be enjoyed in the elegant concert halls of Vienna. Austrian folk dancing is also a vibrant part of the culture, with dances like the Schuhplattler, Ländler, Polka, and Waltz being particularly popular.
Austrian cuisine is heavily influenced by its Central European neighbours, including Germany, Hungary, and Italy. Hearty dishes, sweet pastries, and comforting soups are staples in Austrian kitchens. Wiener Schnitzel, made with thinly sliced, breaded, and fried veal, is considered one of the country's national dishes. Other favourites include Tafelspitz, a comforting boiled beef broth, and sweet desserts like Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), and Sachertorte, a decadent chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam.
Austria is also known for its stunning castles, palaces, and buildings. The baroque-style Belvedere Palace, constructed between 1714 and 1723, and the Schönbrunn Palace are two of the most famous Austrian palaces. The country's architectural grandeur extends to its churches, with the Stephansdom in Vienna, standing at 136 metres tall, serving as the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna.
In terms of modern influences, Austria has a thriving contemporary music scene, with the "Neue Österreichische Welle" (New Austrian Wave) and the Cloud Rap genre gaining popularity in recent years. Additionally, the country has a strong coffee culture and is known for its excellent wineries, producing varieties like Riesling and Veltliner. Austria is also one of the top beer-drinking countries in the world, with a variety of delicious local beers to choose from.
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Austrian history
Austria has a rich history, characterised by its interaction with various European cultures, including Celtic, Roman, Slavic, and Germanic peoples. The country has been strongly influenced by its Catholic traditions and its position as the centre of the Habsburg monarchy from 1273 to 1918. The Habsburgs were strong advocates of Roman Catholicism, which remains an integral part of Austrian culture and architecture. The stunning St. Martin's Church in Linz, first mentioned in 799, is one of the oldest preserved churches in Austria. The Stephansdom, one of the world's tallest cathedrals, serves as the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. The country is also famous for its castles and palaces, such as the baroque-style Belvedere and the Schönbrunn, built by Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Austria has a long and distinguished history in the arts, with many famous poets, writers, and composers. The country has produced renowned novelists such as Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, and Thomas Bernhard, as well as poets like Georg Trakl and Rainer Maria Rilke. Classical music is an integral part of Austrian culture, with composers like Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, and Schubert shaping the country's musical heritage. The First Viennese School in the 18th and 19th centuries further solidified Austria's position as a centre of European musical life.
Austrian culture also extends to its cuisine, with hearty dishes, sweet pastries, and comforting soups. Wiener Schnitzel, a breaded and fried veal cutlet, is one of the country's most iconic dishes, often served with potatoes and a slice of lemon. Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel) is another classic Austrian dessert, featuring a flaky pastry filled with a sweet and tangy apple filling. Sachertorte, a rich chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and coated in dark chocolate icing, is yet another decadent Austrian treat.
Austria is also known for its punctuality, with being on time (or early) considered extremely important in both social and business contexts. The country has a unique dialect, Austrian German, which has distinct vocabulary differences from standard German. Austrians are also known for their love of beer, with a variety of excellent local beers and beer gardens. However, the country's national drink is non-alcoholic - Almdudler, a fizzy soft drink made with herbal extracts.
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Austrian language
Austria is a German-speaking country, with German serving as the official language and lingua franca. Nearly all Austrians learn and speak German, with approximately 97-98% of the population speaking the language and just over 93% calling it their mother tongue. German is used in the media, in schools, and for official announcements. However, the German spoken in Austria, known as Austrian German, differs from the German spoken in Germany and is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect. Austrian German also includes words and idioms borrowed from Czech, Hungarian, Italian, Yiddish, and South Slavic languages. It is generally difficult for German speakers to understand the Alemannic dialect of Swiss German spoken in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg.
Austrian German has its origins in the mid-18th century when compulsory schooling and administrative reforms were introduced in the multilingual Habsburg Empire. The written standard at the time, Oberdeutsche Schreibsprache (Upper German written language), was influenced by the Bavarian and Alemannic dialects of Austria. However, instead of creating a new standard based on Southern German dialects, the Austrian German language adopted the standardised chancellery language of Saxony. Austrian German has been a standardised form of German for official governmental use and in schools since 1951, with spelling rules defined by the Österreichisches Wörterbuch ("Austrian Dictionary").
In addition to German, several other languages have official status in specific regions of Austria. These include Slovene in Carinthia and parts of Styria, Hungarian and Croatian in Burgenland, and various other languages recognised as minority languages. According to the European Commission, recognised minority languages in Austria include Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Romany, and sign language. While these languages have official status in certain regions, they are not always taught in schools.
Austria's linguistic landscape has been further diversified by immigration. Guest workers from Turkey and former Yugoslavia brought their languages and cultures to the country in the 1960s and 1970s. Today, about 4% of Austrians speak Serbo-Croatian, the largest minority language in the country, while Turkish is the second-largest minority language, spoken by 2.3% of the population. English is also widely spoken in Austria, with just over 40% of the population speaking the language, and it is the second most common language after German.
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Austrian fashion
In terms of footwear, comfortable and practical shoes are a must for navigating the cobblestone streets of Austrian cities. Leather shoes with thick soles and heels are ideal for providing both support and protection from the elements. Sneakers can also be a good option for exploring the city, with some trendy and lightweight options available from brands like Adidas. However, it is worth noting that sneakers and Birkenstocks might be considered a fashion faux pas by some Austrians.
During the summer, Austrians tend to dress down while still maintaining a sense of class and sophistication. Men typically opt for light, button-down shirts with well-fitting pants, while women might choose sundresses or blouses with skirts. A jean jacket is also a classic and versatile piece that can be easily styled for a casual yet polished look.
When attending cultural events or visiting upscale venues, such as the Viennese State Opera or the People's Theatre, it is important to dress up. Austrians are known for their sense of style, and making an effort with your appearance is always appreciated. Even during the hot summer months, dressing down for a night at the opera or a ball could make one feel out of place.
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Frequently asked questions
Some of the most famous Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelspitz, apple strudel, and Sachertorte.
Some of the most famous Austrian people include Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven, Schubert, Sigmund Freud, Arthur Schnitzler, Stefan Zweig, and Thomas Bernhard.
Austria is known for its beautiful castles, palaces, and buildings, including Festung Hohensalzburg, Burg Hohenwerfen, Castle Liechtenstein, and the Schloß Artstetten. Other famous places and attractions include the Stephansdom cathedral in Vienna, the St. Martin's Church in Linz, and the baroque-style Belvedere palace.
Austrians are known for their love of punctuality, and it is considered rude to be late, especially in business. Austrians also have a strong coffee culture and a reputation for enjoying a good beer, with the country ranking highly among the top beer-drinking nations.
