In the centre of Vienna

In the very heart of the city

In the very heart of the city you will find the famous landmark of Vienna, Saint Stephen's Cathedral.

The cathedral features a variety of architectural styles: the magnificent portal and the two towers stem from the 12th century, the late Romanesque period. In the 14th and 15th century the Gothic nave, the choir and some side chapels were added. During the Baroque period the cathedral was extended with further side buildings.

A fire in the last days of the Second World War caused immense damage and the huge bell of the north tower, called 'Pummerin' fell through the roof and broke. However, the Viennese renovated their 'Steffl', as they call the cathedral affectionately, and using the rests of the Pummerin a new, larger bell was moulded.
Do not miss to go up the 137 metres of the Gothic tower and enjoy the view of the Viennese inner city and of the colourful tiled roof (nearly a quarter of a million tiles were used here)!

Do not miss to stroll down the Graben and the Kärntnerstraße!
Graben and Kärntnerstraße are pedestrian zones and invite to do some shopping as well as to stop in one of the numerous coffee houses.
In the centre of the Graben you will find a Baroque column which was erected in the 17th century after the devastating epidemics of the Black Death were finally overcome.

Only a stone-throw from the Graben you will see the Peterskirche.
Various architects built the church in the early 18th century following the plans of the Peter's Cathedral in Rome. In its ostentatious interior you will find yourself impressed by a pulpit carved in great detail and the frescoes on the inner surface of the great dome.

Modern Vienna

Exceptional Architecture

Furthermore there a new and contemporary building projects in Vienna which are worth seeing if you are interested in modern or exceptional architecture…

Directly opposite the Saint Stephen's Cathedral there is the modern Haas-Haus which offers a counterpoint to the cathedral.

Palaces in Vienna

You should not miss the two important Palaces of Vienna:
Schönbrunn Palace (with Europe's oldest zoo!) and Belvedere Palace.

The Belvedere Palace with its Upper and Lower buildings is located near the railway station south and was commissioned as a summer residence by Prince Eugen at the beginning of the 18th century.
The Upper Belvedere contains a collection of paintings with significant works of arts of the 19th and 20th centuries – Klimt, Kokoschka, Schiele. Also here, is the famous marble hall where after the Second World War the Austrian treaty was signed.

The Schönbrunn Palace, a former summer residence for the Imperial Family is located in the 13th district.
Take a tour through the ostentatious rooms of Empress Maria Theresia, as well as off Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth or stroll through the huge Palace gardens to the "Gloriette"

If you explore the Schönbrunn Palace park you will come across an impressive glass house, the Palmenhaus, where you may marvel at exotic plants.

From the Palmenhaus it is not far to the Schönbrunn animal park, Europe's oldest zoo (the first menagerie was opened in 1752!)
Today the animal park is run following the most modern zoological aspects and prides itself of significant successes of breeding programmes. This year tiger cubs, cheetah cubs, polar bear cubs and Abu, a little elephant, were introduced to the public!

Along the ring road

Along the ring road which surrounds the Viennese inner city you will find numerous sights one next to another. You may gain a fantastic overview if you take one of the tram lines (D, 1 or 2) to travel from the Opera House to Schottentor.

Let's start our sightseeing tour at the Viennese Opera House.
This was the first of the magnificent buildings along the ring road. It was completed in the middle of the 19th century following the plans of the architects A. Siccardsburg and E. van der Nüll. During the Second World War the Opera House was almost totally destroyed and after having been rebuilt it was reopened in 1955. Performances in the Viennese Opera House as well as the yearly Ball are world famous.

The square Maria-Theresien-Platz is surrounded by two major buildings: the historic art museum and the natural history museum.
The historic art museum features works of art of old masters from the 15th to the 18th century, such as Rembrandt, Rubens, Brueghel, Tizian. Furthermore, there are Egyptian and oriental exhibits as well as a mint collection.

The huge constructions of the old and the new Hofburg comprises among others of the national library, various museums, a conference centre, the winter riding school (Lipizzaner horses), the Imperial Apartments and the Imperial Treasury.

The parliamentary building located along the ring road and built in neo-classical style still houses the Austrian Parliament. The huge loading ramps and the Pallas Athena fountain in front of it are major characteristics.

Directly next to the parliament is a vast park with Vienna's town hall. The prominent building in the new gothic style houses the Viennese city and county councils.
At the top of the middle tower measuring almost 100 metres there is an iron statute measuring 3.5 metres, the "Rathausmann"
In the summer after dusk visitors may enjoy open air films (mainly operas and ballet) free of charge just in front of the town hall. Numerous stands offer culinary delights from all over the world. In the winter in the same square there is a hugely popular and famous Christmas Market.

Directly opposite the town hall there is the theatre Burgtheater. This building, too, was destroyed in the Second World War and had to be rebuilt.

Around Vienna

If you know Vienna already you might want to take advantage of a day trip into the surrounding areas.
We recommend some destinations worth a visit:

Klosterneuburg

Klosterneuburg located to the northwest of Vienna is famous for its monastery Augustiner-Chorherren-Stift. The monastery houses a range of significant Austrian art treasures, such as the Verdun altar, the genealogical tree of the family Babenberg, the monastery library or the holy crown of Austria, the Erzherzogshut.

Krems

Following the Danube upstream you will find the picturesque town Krems. Krems is one of the oldest towns of the country – it was officially recorded in 995. Walking through Krems you will marvel at the old convents and churches, at the domestic architecture and defence buildings. Or you stop in a restaurant, a café or a wine tavern!

Melk

The Benedictine monastery Melk is enthroned at the Danube's south bank on a rock. Markgraf Duke Leopold II founded the monastery and in 1701 the derelict church was rebuilt in Baroque style following the plans of Jakob Prandtauer. Since the 12th century precious scripts have been collected in the library.

The Viennese Woods 

To its west Vienna is bounded by the Viennese Woods, the wonderful recreation area which provides numerous destinations for outings and invites walkers and hikers alike.

Baden

At the edge of the Viennese Woods to the south of Vienna there are many health resorts and wine growing villages, such as the well-known Biedermeier town Baden. Baden has always been a cultured town. Villas, palaces, noble houses and squares bear the hallmarks of grand architects of the periods Biedermeier, Historism and Jugendstil. Baden's guest books are full of famous names, such as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Liszt, Josef Lanner, the Strausses, Carl Michael Ziehrer, Raimund, Nestroy and many more. The healing sulphur waters of the town have been used from olden days on and with their natural temperature of up to 36 degrees centigrade the form the basis of swimming fun and the Baden health resort.

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