Vienna's popular attractions
Given Vienna’s rich cultural and historical diversity, it is not surprising why many of the city’s leading attractions have been influenced by foreign tastes. The following are some of the most popular attractions in Vienna.
Schloss Schönbrunn
Once the summer palace of the ruling Habsburg family, Schönbrunn still stands as the finest palace in Austria. The palace has magnificent gardens and the oldest zoo in the world, dating back to 1752. Its other attractions include a Maze and Labyrinth as well as the Panorama Terrace. There’s a regular tour of the palace’s 40 rooms, including the state rooms and the old apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth.
The palace was the venue of the historic meeting between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khruschchev during the Cold War.
Hofburg Palace
This imperial palace served as the residence of Austria’s emperors until 1918. It began as a medieval castle to which new buildings were added regularly reflecting the growing power of the Hapsburgs. These included the Palace Stables in the 16th century, the Imperial Chancery Wing and Court Library in the 18th century and St. Michael’s Wing in the 20th century. The Austrian President currently holds office at the Imperial Palace. Several buildings have been converted into museums like the Sisi Museum, Imperial Apartments and Imperial Silver Collection. Several rooms of Hofburg Palace are regularly opened to the public, including the state rooms.
Opera House
The foremost symbol of Viennese arts, the Opera House was built from 1861 to 1869 and then rebuilt after World War II. The first-ever performance here featured one of the best work’s of Austria’s favorite son, Mozart, the opera Don Giovanni. Legend has it that one of the building’s architects, Eduard van der Nüll, was so hurt by public criticism of the building that he committed suicide. Meanwhile, when the Opera House opened after the war, the first performance featured the newest work of Austria’s adopted son, Ludwig van Beethoven, the opera Fidelio. Today, the Opera House still features lush curtains and elegant seats.
The Ring
Ring Street (The Ringstrasse) is a circular avenue that occupies the area where Vienna’s original city walls once stood, right at the heart of the city. It is also the most elegant area of the city center, lined with stylish restaurants and cafes. The place is crowded at 10 a.m. every day as locals enjoy the traditional Jause (morning coffee break). Tourists can tour The Ring by tram.
Chapel of the Imperial Palace
Built in 1447, this Gothic style chapel was revived in B aroque style in later years. It features performances by the Court Musicians every Sunday and during Catholic holidays. These musicians include the Vienna Boys Choir, the royal orchestra and the Vienna State Opera choir.
Vienna Boys Choir
Founded in 1498, the Vienna Boys Choir first consisted of six boys who were hired by Emperor Maximilian I for his entertainment. Since then, the emperor traditionally paid for the boys’ education until it was disbanded at the start of World War I. The choir then began accepting jobs outside the Imperial Palace to finance their education. Today, the group is managed by a non-profit organization.
Austrian National Library
This library was the first in the world to have a card catalog. It currently boasts of impressive collections, mostly coming from the time of Emperor Josef II who decided to keep all key documents from the empire’s monasteries in a single location. The library now has more than six million items, the most in any library in Austria and more than many museums. The oldest item in the library is a collection of Holy Gospel manuscripts from the 15th century.
Zentralfriedhof
The Central Cemetery hosts graves that honor Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schönberg, Schubert, Strauss, and others. Mozart’s body is actually buried in another cemetery but he is still honored here among Vienna’s other great musical luminaries.
Airo Tower Hotel
