Visit Vienna, Austria (UNESCO site)

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Vienna is the capital of Austria in nearly every way. It maintains the largest population and is the center of government, culture and the economy for the Republic of Austria. Vienna is an historic city with a significant past as a metropolitan area extending thousands of years to at least 500 BC. Art and culture have long been synonymous with Vienna and presentations of live theatre, opera, music and art exhibits do nothing but support that reputation. Many styles of architecture are present in Vienna ranging from classicist buildings to Art Nouveau. The old town section of Vienna (called Innere Stadt) exhibits remarkable examples of the varying architectural styles. The arts come alive in Vienna. The Burgtheater and the adjunct Akadamietheater are considered the most important in the German speaking world. Theater an der Wien, the Staatsoper and the Volksoper present operatic performances of the highest caliber. The Wiener Musikverein and the Wiener Konzerthaus stage wonderful musical performances (the Wiener Musikverien is the home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra). Tourists can visit the imperial jewels from the Habsburg dynasty at Schatzkammer (Treasury) in Hofburg Palace located at the Schweizerhof (Swiss Courtyard). The Schatzkammer exhibits many other royal objects along with an entire section devoted to religious artifacts from the Baroque era. The Kunsthistorisches (Art History) Museum nearby maintains painting by the old masters alongside its complementary cousin, the Naturhisrtorisches (Natural History) Museum, considered one of the most important museums in the world, maintaining over 20 million objects from a 25,000 year old statue to a skeleton of a Diplodocus Dinosaur. 12 Emperors, 15 Empresses and scores of Archdukes entombed in Kapuzinergruft guarded by Capuchin Monks await your visit to learn about the genealogy of the Habsburg bloodline and the greatly evolved customs for treating the dead. Since nearly 50% of Austria’s population practices Catholicism, the mother church of the archdiocese of Vienna, Stephansdom (St. Stephan’s Cathedral) attracts visitors to this most important religious building in Austria’s capital. This Romanesque building was started in 1137 AD and presents the highest point on the Vienna skyline. The components of the Cathedral are a museum in their own right. One of Vienna’s top tourist attractions, Schloss Schonbrunn (the Summer Palace) boasts a major zoo, extensive parks, gardens and museums (including a world famous children’s museum). It is said that the 2 favorite activities of the Viennese are eating and drinking. Visitors to Vienna find a vast range of culinary pleasures prepared in a style known as Viennese Cuisine. Cafés, bars and restaurants abound offering specialties such as Wiener Schnitzel and Manner Schnitten with the perfect complement (especially at Christmastime) Weihnachtspunsch. You may have a dream to visit the ancient capital city of Vienna to partake in the Austrian lifestyle, visit the historic buildings and be entertained in royal style. Put a trip to Vienna, Austria on your list and you can start working on how to make this fantasy your reality.

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