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Vienna Travel Information
Vienna is Austria’s capital and also the country’s primary city with a population of 1.7 million. Theater, opera, fine arts, and classical music all have a long tradition in Vienna. Many famous museums, opera houses, palaces, religious sites, parks, and other historical landmarks claim residence in Vienna, including: Museums
Imperial Treasury (Schatzkammer): Historically, the Imperial Treasury was where the feudal rulers stored their most precious belongings. Guarded safely within the Hofburg Palace, the Schatzkammer is home to a breathtaking collection of treasure, including the relics of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire. The most impressive piece from the collection is the imperial crown, dating back to 962 AD. Set within the crown is a dazzling display of diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. Hitler took the crown to Nürnberg in 1938, but the American infantry returned it to its rightful place in Vienna after the end of the war.
Museum Quarter (MuseumsQuartier Wien): A collection of old and new buildings, forming a mega-museum. In total, MuseumsQuartier contains 20 museums and cultural organizations, not to mention cafes and shops for fatigued museum-goers. The three newest buildings in the MuseumsQuartier are: the Museum of Modern Art, the Leopold Museum, and the Kunsthalle Wien. The Museum of Modern Art or “MUMOK,” is Central Europe’s largest museum of contemporary art, and includes work from Picasso, Warhol, and Klee, not to mention a host of other internationally beloved artists. Leopold Museum contains mostly art from Austrian citizens. First started by Rudolf and Elisabeth Leopold, the collection now contains 5,000 pieces ranging from the Viennese Secessionist movement to Vienna Modernism. The Museum also boasts work from Africa and ancient Japan. Then there is Kunsthalle Wien, another contemporary art museum, though Kunsthalle Wien focuses primarily on trans-genre pieces, and emphasizes film, video, photography, and architecture. Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum): One of the premier museums of fine arts and decorative arts in the world. The museum’s construction lasted from 1872 to 1891, and was based on designs by Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer. The museum features art from: Dürer, Raphael, Rubens, Rembrandt, Titian, Velazquez, and Vermeer. Clock Museum (Uhrenmuseum): Clocks, clocks, clocks! Uhrenmuseum is home to one of the world’s largest collection of our ticking friends. Ancient and modern time pieces are on display in what was once the Obizzi town house, dating back to 1917. Recommended: check out the great cuckoo clocks and the huge timepiece that used to perch atop the tower of St. Stephan’s. Belvedere Palace and Museum (Schloss Belvedere): Schloss Belvedere is a baroque palace that was built by Prince Eugene of Savoy. The grounds include two palaces: one houses the Museum of Medieval Austrian Art and the other contains the Museum of Austrian Baroque. Opera Houses
State Opera House (Staatsoper): Built in the frist district of Vienna, the State Opera House’s construction lasted from 1861 to 1869. Known for its impeccable operatic performances and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, no tourist should miss a night of entertainment at Staatsoper. Palaces
Imperial Palace (Hofburg): For seven centuries, the Habsburgs empire rules from the Imperial Palace. The Vienna Boys’ Choir today performs during Sunday’s High Mass in the Gothic Imperial Chapel. Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Schonbrunn): Another relic of the Habsburg monarchy, Schloss Schonbrunn is situated a little outside of the Vienna perimeter, but it’s worth the extra travel. With its huge park and enormous buildings, Schonbrunn Palace is one of Austria’s most famous cultural monuments. Religious Sites
St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom): the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna and seat of the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schonborn. Stephansdom dominates the city center, and is one of Vienna’s most famous sights, dating back to 1147 AD. St. Charles’s Church (Karlskirche): Built by the Emperor Charles VI to thank God for answering his prayer (the Black Plague leaving Vienna,) the church is built in the spirit of the Baroque period, and pays homage to the glory of the Habsburg Empire. Charles VI died in 1723, but his son, Joseph Emanuel, completed the construction of the church in 1737. St. Mary’s on the Bank (Maria Am Gestade): Also known as the Church of Our Lady of the Riverbank, this church was a favorite place of worship for fishermen. Dating back to the 14th century, Napoleon’s army used this church for arsenal storage and horse stables. Be sure to see St. Mary’s beautiful stained-glass windows and Gothic panels from 1460 of the Annunciation, Crucifixion, and the Coronation. St. Augustine’s Church (Augustinerkirche): Formerly the winter palace of the Habsburg dynasty. Located in the middle of the Old City, the church was largely spared damage during World War II, and thus acts as a window into historical Vienna architecture, exactly as it appeared in the days of the Habsburg dynasty. St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche): The second oldest church in Vienna, Peterskirche is a perfect example of Baroque church architecture. Though it is the second oldest church in Vienna, it may actually be the oldest church site. It is rumored that Charlemagne founded a church on St. Peter’s site in 792 AD. Church of St. Michael (Michaelerkirche): Dedicated to the Archangel Michael, Michaelerkirche is one of Vienna’s oldest churches, and one of the few remaining architectural reminders of the Romanesque era. The church’s main attraction is its catacombs, where bodies never decompose. Between 1631 and 1784, around 4,000 bodies were buried in the catacombs and eventually mummified. Votivkirche: Considered one of the world’s most important neo-Gothic religious architectural sites. Heinrich von Ferstel began construction of the church in 1856, but it would not be completed until 1879. The church was built as a reminder of the failed attempt to assassinate Emperor Franz Josef. Church of the Teutonic Order (Deutschordenskirche): a Roman Catholic religious order formed in the 12th century. The church was spared remodeling during the Baroque craze during the Counter-Reformation, so it stands exactly as it was intended - a Gothic tribute to St. Elizabeth. Parks
Stadtpark: Vienna’s city park. Rudolf Siebeck designed this park, which is considered a link between the city center and the third district. The park is a sort of portal, which guides visitors into totally different sides of Vienna. It is said that no two sides of the park look the same. Other Historical Landmarks
Naschmarkt: For 80 years, the area between Linke and Rechte Wienzeile has been home to one of the world’s most famous outdoor markets. The market is a mix of Austrian traditions and oriental influences from the 16th century. Stay a while and have lunch, coffee, or dinner at one of the many fine restaurants! For thrifty tourists, check out Naschmarkt on Saturdays when the famous flee market sets up shop. Kapuziner Crypt (Kapuzinergruft): The burial place of the Habsburgers. This last resting place of the imperial family is newly renovated and once again open to the public. Inside, Kapuzinergruft is ornately decorated, and a must-see attraction for any tourist. Vienna offers everyone a rich mixture of attractions, from palaces and museums to parks and cathedrals. Serene, fascinating, and always beautiful, Vienna is an essential stop for any world traveler!
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