Vienna (
Wien) is a
unique blend of the historic and the modern, so full of
tradition it can be read on the face of the city, yet with a
forward-looking approach that will surprise the visitor.
Vienna’s role as the seat of the
Hapsburg Empire for centuries can be seen in the
wealth of architecture and in the city’s
artistic and
musical heritage. Many of the world’s most important composers, including
Beethoven and
Mozart, have lived and performed behind Vienna’s
baroque facades. In addition
to this baroque splendor, there are excellent examples of the
art nouveau (
Jugendstil) architecture that also flourished here.
The fall of the Hapsburg Empire at the end of WWI allowed Vienna’s socialist undercurrents to come to the fore during the ‘Red Vienna’ period, resulting in numerous
social housing and other projects, which still play a role in the city.
Vienna’s occupation by the
Nazis and subsequent partitioning by the four Allied powers tend to be forgotten, as the city instead focuses on its
post-war neutrality and the glittering remnants of its
Imperial glory.
This seems to be reinforced by the image of older Viennese walking small dogs or eating cakes in
cafes but it ignores the energy of Vienna’s
alternative and
underground scenes, whose members react against the attachment to tradition in a way similar to their
Secessionist counterparts a century before.
Vienna is divided into 23
bezirke (
districts). The original city that lay within the protective walls comprises the First District of modern Vienna. The demolition of the city walls led to the construction of the
Ringstrasse and an impressive parade of buildings along its length. The majority of the tourist attractions lie on and within the Ringstrasse.
Districts two to nine are arrayed between the Ringstrasse and the concentric
Gürtel (belt). The other districts lie beyond the Gürtel and extend into the foothills of the
Wienerwald (
Vienna Woods), where
heurigen (
wine taverns) and
pretty villages are dotted among the
vineyards.
Vienna’s climate is generally moderate, although the city can experience
heavy snowfalls and low temperatures from December to March, as well as occasionally very
high temperatures in July and August. Summer, however, is usually comfortable with an average daily temperature of 20°C (68°F), although heavy thundershowers are likely.
The city is not only the
capital of Austria but also a federal province, surrounded by Niederösterreich (Lower Austria). Vienna’s location on the east-west trade route along the
River Danube played an important part in its history - an empire that once covered a large part of Europe was ruled from here.
Even today, Vienna is the financial and administrative capital of Austria and home to a number of
international organizations, including the United Nations. And with the fall of Communism, Vienna is once again at the
center of Europe.
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
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Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
Related Austria Content
The Columbus World Travel Guide has been published for 26 years and is sold in over 90 countries worldwide.
Word Travels is a comprehensive travel guide covering hundreds of cities and holiday resorts in more than 125 countries.
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