Lexi Webster
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is situated on the Danube River in the northeastern corner of the country. The city has a rich history, beginning with the Roman Empire, which established a military camp in the area now covered by Vienna's city centre. Over time, Vienna has been an important trading centre, a cultural hub, and a political capital. In the 19th century, Vienna became the capital of the Austrian Empire and later, Austria-Hungary, making it one of Europe's biggest cities. After World War I, Vienna continued as the capital of the newly formed Republic of Austria, which had emerged from the war as a truncated, landlocked country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date Vienna Became Capital of Austria | 1955 |
| Previous Capital | Pochlarn |
| Vienna's Population (2011) | 1,714,227 |
| Vienna's Population (2017) | 1,867,582 |
| Vienna's Urban Agglomeration Population (2017) | 2,157,434 |
| Area of Vienna | 160 sq. mi. (415 sq. km) |
| Area of Metropolitan Vienna | 1,491 sq. mi. (3,862 sq. km) |
| Vienna's Status | Capital of the Republic of Austria |
| Vienna's Location | Northeastern corner of Austria |
| Rivers | Danube River |
| Mountain Ranges Nearby | Alps, Carpathians, Vienna Woods |
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What You'll Learn
Vienna's history dates back to Celtic and Roman settlements
The area that is now Vienna was first inhabited by the Illyrians, followed by the Celts. The name "Vindobona" is derived from the Celtic words "windo-" meaning "white" and "bona" meaning "base/bottom", translating to "White Field". Around 15 BCE, the Romans, led by the future emperor Tiberius, occupied the region. The Celtic town of Vindobona became a strategic Roman garrison town, housing about 6,000 men. It was a part of the defensive network along the Danube River, which marked the border of the Roman Empire. The Romans constructed a military complex covering approximately 20 hectares, with elaborate water supply and sewerage systems.
Over time, Vindobona grew to a population of around 15,000 to 20,000 people and became an important trading centre. It was a part of the widespread trade network of the Roman Empire. Emperor Marcus Aurelius is believed to have died in Vindobona in 180 CE while campaigning against invading Germanic tribes. However, during the turmoil of the 5th-century invasions, the Romans were forced to leave, and the settlement was abandoned for several centuries.
In the early medieval period, a small settlement remained, and the streets and houses followed the former Roman walls. Byzantine copper coins and graves from the 6th century have been discovered, indicating trade activity and the presence of a well-ordered settlement. The name "Vindobona" evolved into "Berghof" in the 13th century, and the area gradually developed into a thriving medieval city.
Vienna received the rights of a city in 1221 and became a staple port, allowing it to act as a middleman in trade. It established a network of far-reaching trade relations, particularly along the Danube basin and with Venice. This led to Vienna becoming one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire. In 1408, Vienna became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire under Duke Albert V, also known as King Albert II.
Over the centuries, Vienna continued to grow and develop, becoming the capital of the Babenberg dynasty and later the Austrian Habsburgs. It served as the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and played a significant role as a leading European music centre. Today, Vienna is the capital of the Republic of Austria and is known for its rich history, architecture, and cultural significance.
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The city was an important trading centre for the Crusaders
Vienna became the capital of Austria in 1558, when the Habsburg ruler Ferdinand I moved his court to the city from Innsbruck. However, the roots of Vienna's importance as a political and economic centre go back much further, and indeed, it was a key trading post long before this. The city's strategic location on the Danube River, which connects it to the Black Sea and the rest of Europe, made it an ideal hub for commerce and trade. This was especially true during the Crusades, a series of religious wars between the 11th and 13th centuries, when Western European armies sought to reclaim the Holy Land from Muslim rule.
Vienna's role as a trading centre during the Crusades was significant. It served as a vital link between the East and the West, with goods and supplies flowing through the city en route to the battlefields of the Middle East. The city's markets would have been bustling with activity as merchants and traders from across Europe and Asia converged to buy and sell their wares. The Crusaders themselves would have been among the customers, stocking up on provisions and equipment for their long and arduous journeys to the Holy Land.
Vienna offered a wide range of goods and services that would have been invaluable to the Crusaders. These included weapons and armour, as well as more mundane but no less essential items such as food, clothing, and horses. The city's craftsmen and merchants would have done brisk business, supplying the armies of the Cross with everything they needed for their campaigns. In return, the Crusaders brought back treasures and artifacts from the East, further enriching the city's markets and contributing to its cultural diversity.
The Crusades also had a lasting impact on the development of Vienna as a cultural and intellectual centre. The influx of traders, scholars, and religious figures from across Europe and beyond led to a vibrant exchange of ideas and knowledge. This period saw the establishment of universities and scholarly institutions, as well as the flourishing of art and architecture, transforming Vienna into a true Renaissance city. So, while the Crusades may be remembered primarily for their military campaigns, their impact on Vienna was far-reaching and helped shape the city we know today.
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Vienna became the capital of the Babenberg dynasty
Vienna, the vibrant capital of Austria, has undergone several transformations throughout its rich history. Strategically located alongside the Danube River in the northeastern corner of the country, the city boasts a diverse cultural and architectural heritage.
One significant chapter in Vienna's story unfolded when it became the capital of the Babenberg dynasty. This period began in 976 AD when the Margraviate of Ostarrîchi was entrusted to the Babenberg family, marking the inception of their rule. The Babenbergs, a Frankish noble family with roots in Bamberg in the Duchy of Franconia (present-day Bavaria), governed the imperial Margraviate of Austria with distinction.
During their reign, Vienna flourished as a vital trade centre, benefiting from its position along ancient trade and military routes. The city's prominence continued to grow, and in 1155, Margrave Henry II of Austria made a pivotal decision, establishing Vienna as his capital. This choice cemented Vienna's status and set it on a path to becoming the seat of power for future dukes. The following year, in 1156, Austria was elevated to a duchy, further enhancing Vienna's significance within the Babenberg dynasty.
The Babenbergs, known for their brilliant court and patronage of the arts, left an indelible mark on the city. Their rule extended from 976 until 1246, when the family line came to an end with the death of the last male heir. The ensuing power struggle culminated in the rise of the House of Habsburg, which would govern for centuries to come. Nonetheless, the Babenberg era laid the foundation for Vienna's enduring legacy as a cultural and political centre of influence.
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It was the administrative seat of numerous kingdoms acquired by the Habsburgs
Vienna, the capital of Austria, has undergone several transformations throughout history. Strategically located alongside the Danube River in northeastern Austria, the city has been a significant cultural, economic, and political centre for centuries.
From 1558 to 1918, Vienna was an imperial city, serving as the seat of numerous powerful kingdoms and empires acquired by the Habsburgs. The Habsburgs, a prominent European royal family, rose to prominence through strategic marriages, acquisitions, and military conquests, establishing an extensive monarchy that included empires, kingdoms, duchies, and counties.
The Habsburgs' association with Austria began in the 13th century when Rudolf I acquired the Duchy of Austria for the family in 1282. Over time, the Habsburgs expanded their territories, with their monarchy encompassing a vast array of lands and titles. From 1438 to 1806, the Habsburg Archduke of Austria was frequently elected as the Holy Roman Emperor, with Vienna serving as its seat from 1558 until the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire in 1806.
The Habsburgs' rule in Austria and their association with Vienna were marked by periods of prosperity and turmoil. For example, the reign of Rudolf IV of Austria in the 14th century brought economic prosperity, and he is credited with founding the University of Vienna. However, there were also periods of inheritance disputes, economic decline, and social unrest within the family and the territories they ruled.
In addition to the Holy Roman Empire, Vienna also became the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, reflecting the Habsburgs' acquisition of the Kingdom of Hungary. This union was formalised in 1867, further solidifying Vienna's role as the administrative centre of the Habsburgs' diverse territories. The city's rich history and cultural significance have contributed to its enduring legacy as a prominent European capital.
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Vienna is known as the 'musical capital' of Europe
Vienna, the capital of Austria, has been universally acknowledged as the musical capital of Europe since the 16th century. Vienna has played a pivotal role as a leading European music centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The city has been a small yet influential powerhouse for centuries, modest in size but not in ambition. Vienna has been the home of some of the world's greatest musicians, artists, and thinkers.
Vienna's impact was so strong on people outside the city that Der Rosenkavalier, largely considered to be the greatest truly Viennese opera, was written by Bavarian Richard Strauss, who never even lived in Vienna. The city's well-informed monarchs and educated audiences may also have played a role, since music was still largely tied to aristocratic court culture between the 18th and 19th centuries. The Habsburg dynasty’s sponsorship, alongside that of the imperial court’s aristocrats, created a lucrative environment for artists and musicians.
Vienna's past as a centre of music can be traced back to the 11th century when it became an important trading site. In 1221, Vienna received the rights of a city and as a staple port (Stapelrecht). This allowed the Viennese to act as middlemen in trade, so that Vienna soon created a network of far-reaching trade relations, particularly along the Danube basin and to Venice, and to become one of the most important cities in the Holy Roman Empire. In 1408, Vienna became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1558, Vienna became the seat of the Holy Roman Empire and remained so until 1806.
Vienna became the capital of the Austrian Empire in 1804 and subsequently of the Austrian Habsburgs, under whom it became one of Europe's cultural hubs. During the 19th century, as the capital of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary, it temporarily became one of Europe's biggest cities. In 1867, Vienna remained the capital when the Austro-Hungarian Empire was formed. Vienna's population increased sharply during its time as the capital of Austria-Hungary (1867–1918). In 1910, Vienna had more than two million inhabitants and was the third-largest city in Europe after London and Paris.
In 1918, after World War I, Vienna became the capital of the Republic of German-Austria, and then in 1919 of the First Republic of Austria. In 1921, Vienna was separated from surrounding Lower Austria and became a state of its own, with the mayor now equivalent in rank to a state governor. However, it remained the nominal capital of Lower Austria until 1986. In 1938, Vienna became a part of Adolf Hitler’s “Greater” Germany and was renamed “Greater” Vienna, reflecting the Nazi revision of the city limits. In 1945, Austria was occupied by British, French, American, and Soviet forces, and Vienna was divided into five zones, including an international zone, covering the Innere Stadt (“Inner City”). In 1955, the State Treaty, by which the country regained independence, was signed with the four occupying powers, and Vienna became once again the capital of a sovereign Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
Vienna became the capital of the Republic of Austria in 1919, after World War I.
No, Vienna has not always been the capital of Austria. In 1145, Duke Henry II Jasomirgott moved the Babenberg capital to Vienna. By 1483, Vienna had become the de facto capital of the Holy Roman Empire under the Habsburgs. It was the capital of the Austrian Empire during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century, and later the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Vienna has a long and varied history. It began as a Roman settlement called Vindobona, which means "white city". It was an important trading site in the 11th century and became the capital of the Babenberg dynasty. It was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire from 1483 until 1806, and then the capital of the Austrian Empire during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century. It was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire until the end of World War I. After the war, Austria was left devastated and its territories were divided. The Republic of Austria was established in 1919, with Vienna as its capital.
Vienna is known for its rich history and culture. It has been a leading European music centre and has played a significant role in the development of music, particularly Viennese Classicism and Romanticism. It is also known for its impressive architecture, including Baroque castles and gardens, as well as grand buildings, monuments, and parks.
