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VIENNA               
        Vienna's  palaces, monuments, and buildings were built to convey the  greatness of this city.    The Austrian Empire built Vienna on a grand scale.   From 1276 to 1918, the Habsburg dynasty ruled Vienna. The Austrian Empire and  the Habsburgs have left many reminders of the city's former greatness.
        Vienna is unlike any other European city. Vienna's city center is bounded by a Ring street.  A look around the Ring gives a reasonable idea of what Vienna is like. Many impressive buildings are to be found on the perimeter of the Ring.  Some of the city's best attractions are situated here.
        Inside the Ring, Vienna is a fascinating city.     Pleasant coffee houses  offer the opportunity to sample famous Viennese confectioneries. Distinctive Austrian goods including petit-point, hand painted porcelain, ceramics,enamelware, and wrought-iron are available from various shops. St. Stephans  Cathedral, built in the 13th century, is located inside the Ring.
        Vienna's grandeur once competed with Europe's greatest cities.  Even today, the visitor cannot help but be impressed with what he sees. Vienna is an extraordinary city.  The visitor usually acquires a genuine appreciation of Vienna.  


Vienna, the City Within the Ring


        Since many of Vienna's important attractions    are within  the  Ring, walking distances in this city are not great.    Walking in the center of Vienna is agreeable.  Finding places is not very complicated either in Vienna.  Walking and underground trips usefully combine to discover Vienna. Some of Vienna's appealing attractions are a distance from the city center.
        To see Vienna thoroughly, allow adequate time. The Schonbrunn Palace, Vienna's equivalent to Versailles, alone could take a full day.  Do not be too intent on seeing everything in Vienna at once. Vienna is a city with many distractions. There are also numerous premium shops and various types of places for lunch or coffee.  Window shopping and delicious light refreshment contribute to making Vienna a leisurely city.
        Public transportation is satisfactory in Vienna, and traveling by bus and subway is no inconvenience.  Attractions situated outside the center of Vienna are not complicated to reach by the underground.
        Vienna has the style of a great city. Wherever one goes,reminders of Vienna's past grandeur are found.  An exciting era in Europe's history comes alive while exploring Vienna.  Remembering the bygone eras when Vienna was one of the greatest European capitals makes for exciting urban experiences.   

Karl's Church
Karl's Church



Vienna's Ring and Baroque Palaces


        Begin the Vienna urban hike at the Danube Tower.   Located in Danube Park, this tower rises 826 feet. From the observation deck, the Danube Tower provides an unsurpassed view of Vienna. Visiting the Danube Tower first provides a useful idea of the layout of Vienna.

an urban hike in Vienna
An urban hike in Vienna

        From the Danube Tower, take the underground to Stadtpark Station. Stadtpark, located adjacent to the Ring, is an attractive park.    The River Wein flows through Stadtpark, and the park contains an artificial lake. The many statues in Stadtpark both beautify and add ebullience to the park.
        Upon leaving Stadtpark, follow the Ring to Schwarzenberger Platz, and there turn left.  Belvedere Palace is several blocks distant.    Lukas von Hildebrandt built Belvedere between 1721 and 1723. Belvedere Palace is a beautiful baroque building, constructed on three different levels with terrace gardens.
        After seeing Belvedere Palace, return to Schwarzenberger Platz and take Technike Strasse to the left.  A block further on is Karls Platz.    Karls Church complete with triumphal columns and a 235 foot high dome is found here.    This remarkable baroque building was built between 1716 and 1737 by Emperor Karl VI as a church dedicated to Saint Karl Borromaus.  The City of Vienna's Historical Museum is also located at Karls Platz.
        From Karls Platz return to the Ring. Continuing around the Ring, next find the State Opera House. The Opera House is an admirable example of what is called Ring Architecture. Besides being a pleasing building, the opera house is among the world's best for opera.
        Further around the Ring, there is the Museum of Fine Arts and Natural History. There is an attractive park between these two buildings containing a famous large statue of Maria Theresa.  Several unusual fountains add to the attractiveness of this park.
        The Imperial Palace is located on the opposite side of the Ring from these museums.  Known as Hofburg, this complex was built between the 13th and 20th centuries.  Originally, Hofburg was the winter palace of the Habsburgs.
        Hofburg now serves several different functions.     The Austrian President  has his official residence in the Hofburg. The Vienna Boys Choir sings in the Imperial Chapel.  The old treasury of Schatzkammer with jewels, robes, and Habsburg heirlooms is found in the Old Castle. The beautiful white Lippizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School also perform in the Hofburg complex.
        Continuing around the Ring, the Austrian Parliament is the next important building. The parliament built between 1873 and 1883 is neoclassical. Tours of the parliament building are possible except when the parliament is in session.

The Austrian Parliament
The Austrian Parliament


        The Rathaus is the found next around the Ring.    Vienna's town hall was built at approximately the same time as the parliament, 1872-1883.    Open-air concerts are held in the courtyard in front of the Rathaus during the summer months.
        The Burgtheater is located on the opposite side of the Ring from the Rathaus. This is one of the most attractive buildings around the Ring. The Burgtheater is reminiscent of Vienna's importance in the preceding century.
        Further along, come to the Votive Church situated on the right side of the Ring.  Turn left at the next street, Wahringer Strasse.    Walk one block past the Votive Church to Bergasse and turn right. In two and half blocks, find Sigmund Freud's house on the left side of Bergasse.
        From here return to the Ring on Wahringer Strasse, and then continue into the area within the Ring on by following Schotten Gasse and Herren Gasse to Michael Platz.  From Michael Platz turn left on Kohlmarkt and continue to Graben and turn right again.  Graben is one of Vienna's main shopping streets. St. Stephan's Cathedral is a few blocks further toward the Ring's center.
        St. Stephan's Cathedral was begun in the 12th century and completed in modern times.  A climb to the top of the 450 foot tower allows a marvelous view of Vienna within the Ring.  There are catacombs located beneath the cathedral.  The internal organs of the Habsburgs are buried in a vault in the catacombs of St. Stephan's. This Gothic cathedral is one of Vienna's most famous attractions.

St. Stephans Cathedral
St. Stephan's Cathedral

        Before leaving the center of Vienna, explore the several fascinating shopping streets nearby. Try Rotenturm Strasse between St. Stephans and Franz Josefs Kai. Karntner Strasse from the opera to the cathedral is also a commendable street for window shopping.  
        Next, continue the urban hike by taking the underground from Karntner Strasse, a block from the cathedral to the Schonbrunn. The Schonbrunn, completed in 1696, was the summer palace of the Habsburgs.  This palace is famous for magnificent rooms and an elegant art collection.  The Schonbrunn has been described as surpassed only by the grandeur of Versailles in Paris.
        From the Schonbrunn return to the center of Vienna by underground.  Catch a bus from here to Prater, Vienna's famous amusement park.  After a day walking around Vienna, Prater should be enjoyable relaxation.    At Prater, find a nice restaurant for refreshment or simply watching the people.    Prater was, until 1780, a royal hunting preserve. This pleasant park should make a nice conclusion to an urban hike in Vienna.


Vienna, an Intricate City Deserving Extra Effort


        Vienna's past makes this a most extraordinary city to visit.  Since  Vienna's greatest years seem behind her, the more romantic view obtained here the better. Include Vienna in travel plans after visiting other contemporarily important European cities.  The Vienna of today is best regarded as an exciting, rhapsodic city somewhat removed from worldly reasons.    Give the spirit untrammeled freedom to explore this city.
        A relaxed visit still proves Vienna to be one of the most stimulating places to be in Europe.  An objective in Vienna should be to absorb, in an unhurried manner, as much of the city as possible. Vienna's attractions offer the visitor an opportunity to look at Austria's past with appreciation.
        Allow enough time to make whatever purchases appeal in Vienna.  Some of the best places to buy Austrian products are within the Ring. Besides the areas already mentioned, try Mariahilfer Strasse between the West Bahnhof and the Ring for possible purchases.   Since Austrian products are fascinating, be sure and allow enough time to do some serious browsing.

Maria Theresa's Statue
Maria Theresa's Statue

        Photographing Viennese life can be an expansive activity.    People sometimes make better subjects than statues and buildings. Use a camera to catch the Vienna of yesterday and today. Photographs brought home from Vienna can provide fond memories.
        Vienna's sophistication has delighted visitors for centuries.  Discovering this worldly, old city is a superb experience. Vienna    is a grand city that should be learned and savored.  Developing a genuine sense for Vienna can be intricate; however, the results usually deserve the extra effort. As the Viennese sense of civility become more familiar, admiration of Vienna becomes facile.


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       the photographerCharles Mitchell Charles Mitchell Charles Mitchell