VIENNA AUSTRIA
By Nadia Ali
The capital city of Austria, Vienna is one of those European
destinations where you can almost hear classical music playing in
the background. The picturesque hillside scenes of Vienna were
used in the famous Sound of Music film. It was also home to a great
musician, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who called this home. There
are lots to see and do from a visit to the Gothic St. Stephen’s
Cathedral to the Imperial Palace. Listed below are our picks of the
best Vienna activities and attractions.
1. Hofburg (Imperial Palace)
Formerly built as a medieval castle for the Hasburgs, the Imperial
Palace has undergone extensions and reconstruction to be the
perfect, preserved palace that it is today. The complex includes a
museum, the national library, a Swiss courtyard, a Gothic chapel,
Imperial apartments and Imperial treasury as well as an ancient
musical instrument section. A must see is the Schatzkammer
(Imperial Treasury) that has an unbelievable collection of crown
jewels that includes a 2860-carat Colombian emerald. Everything in
the palace is kept as if the Hasburgs still live there including the
period furniture.
2. Schronbunn Palace
Built in 1695 in the vineyard countryside, Schronbunn Palace was
designed as a royal residence and saw many a historical figure pass
though it’s 1,500 rooms, including Marie Antoinette, Mozart and
Napoleon. It has its own grand park, palm house, the oldest zoo in
the world and numerous buildings and monuments, and is now part
of the world heritage sights. Visitors can walk through the palace to
see the beautiful interior of crystal chandeliers, ornamental large
mirrors and ornaments.
http://www.schoenbrunn.at/
3. Spanische Reitschule (Spanish Riding School)
Founded in 1572, the world-famous Spanish Riding School in
Vienna is the only place in the world where classic dressage is used
on the oldest classic racehorse in Europe; the Lipizzaner is also a
symbol of Viennese elegance. These stark-white horses perform an
80-minute show for audiences in their haute école riding
demonstrations to the sound of Baroque music. The interior of the
riding school is a very elegant arena to compliment the dressage. It
is very popular and booking tickets ahead of time is recommended.
http://www.spanische-reitschule.com/
4. Museum Quartier
Housed in the former Imperial Court Stables, the Museum Quartier
exhibits both Baroque and Modern Art, many of which were left to the
museum by the late billionaire, Herr Ludwig. There are several cafes,
gift shops and restaurants for the added enjoyment of visitors. For art
lovers you could easily spend a whole day in here and still not see
everything. Open daily 10-7pm
http://www.museumsquartier.at/
5. St Stephen’s Cathedral
In the center of Vienna majestically sits St. Stephen's Cathedral
whose bells are used to ring in the New Year across Austria. Built in
1147 AD it features huge Gothic towers that were once the highest in
Europe, standing at 136,7 meters. Be sure to see the Gothic winged
altar and the Lord of the toothache in the cathedral’s apse. There are
many bizarre myths that surround this incredible looking building so
ask your guide.
6. The Danube Tower (Donauturm)
A visit to Vienna would not be complete if you did not visit this 352-
meter high landmark, built in 1964. It offers spectacular views of
Vienna and of course the Danube River. Visitors can take the
exceedingly fast elevator to the top where there are two revolving
restaurants with local and international menus and a café where you
can enjoy a beverage as you watch Vienna go slowly by.
www.donauturm.at
7. Haus Der Musik (House of Music)
Located in the center of Vienna in the former Palace of Archduke
Charles this interactive museum of music allows visitors to touch,
play and make music with the numerous exhibits spread over
several floors. From virtual state-of the-art programs that allow you to
conduct the Vienna Philharmonic to simply listening to Mozart,
Beethoven, Schubert, or Brahms. On the top floor is the Musicantino
Restaurant while on the ground floor is a coffeehouse.
8. The Sigmund Freud Museum
The museum is Freud’s original office in his apartment where he
lived and worked. It opened in 1971, through the kind courtesy of his
daughter Anna. There are numerous original documents and files
together with the largest psychoanalysis library in Europe. The
waiting room remains the same and you can feel the sense of awe
being in the original place where Freud practiced. Visitors can also
purchase Freud’s works from the small gift shop.
http://www.freud-museum.at/
9. Michaelerplatz
This is the elaborate entrance into the Hofburg from Kohlmarkt. It
looks more like a building than an entrance, as it is a huge sprawling
building that is highly decorative with a green dome and gold
trimmings. The archway allows access to alt Hofburg.
10. The Vienna Opera House
A performance at the Vienna Opera house comes highly
recommended for opera lovers. It is world famous for its first class
performances, which tends to be accompanied by the Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra. The building was completed in 1869 and
resembles Italian Renaissance and is adorned with numerous
statues, famous opera paintings and decorative art.
By Nadia Ali
The capital city of Austria, Vienna is one of those European
destinations where you can almost hear classical music playing in
the background. The picturesque hillside scenes of Vienna were
used in the famous Sound of Music film. It was also home to a great
musician, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart who called this home. There
are lots to see and do from a visit to the Gothic St. Stephen’s
Cathedral to the Imperial Palace. Listed below are our picks of the
best Vienna activities and attractions.
1. Hofburg (Imperial Palace)
Formerly built as a medieval castle for the Hasburgs, the Imperial
Palace has undergone extensions and reconstruction to be the
perfect, preserved palace that it is today. The complex includes a
museum, the national library, a Swiss courtyard, a Gothic chapel,
Imperial apartments and Imperial treasury as well as an ancient
musical instrument section. A must see is the Schatzkammer
(Imperial Treasury) that has an unbelievable collection of crown
jewels that includes a 2860-carat Colombian emerald. Everything in
the palace is kept as if the Hasburgs still live there including the
period furniture.
2. Schronbunn Palace
Built in 1695 in the vineyard countryside, Schronbunn Palace was
designed as a royal residence and saw many a historical figure pass
though it’s 1,500 rooms, including Marie Antoinette, Mozart and
Napoleon. It has its own grand park, palm house, the oldest zoo in
the world and numerous buildings and monuments, and is now part
of the world heritage sights. Visitors can walk through the palace to
see the beautiful interior of crystal chandeliers, ornamental large
mirrors and ornaments.
http://www.schoenbrunn.at/
3. Spanische Reitschule (Spanish Riding School)
Founded in 1572, the world-famous Spanish Riding School in
Vienna is the only place in the world where classic dressage is used
on the oldest classic racehorse in Europe; the Lipizzaner is also a
symbol of Viennese elegance. These stark-white horses perform an
80-minute show for audiences in their haute école riding
demonstrations to the sound of Baroque music. The interior of the
riding school is a very elegant arena to compliment the dressage. It
is very popular and booking tickets ahead of time is recommended.
http://www.spanische-reitschule.com/
4. Museum Quartier
Housed in the former Imperial Court Stables, the Museum Quartier
exhibits both Baroque and Modern Art, many of which were left to the
museum by the late billionaire, Herr Ludwig. There are several cafes,
gift shops and restaurants for the added enjoyment of visitors. For art
lovers you could easily spend a whole day in here and still not see
everything. Open daily 10-7pm
http://www.museumsquartier.at/
5. St Stephen’s Cathedral
In the center of Vienna majestically sits St. Stephen's Cathedral
whose bells are used to ring in the New Year across Austria. Built in
1147 AD it features huge Gothic towers that were once the highest in
Europe, standing at 136,7 meters. Be sure to see the Gothic winged
altar and the Lord of the toothache in the cathedral’s apse. There are
many bizarre myths that surround this incredible looking building so
ask your guide.
6. The Danube Tower (Donauturm)
A visit to Vienna would not be complete if you did not visit this 352-
meter high landmark, built in 1964. It offers spectacular views of
Vienna and of course the Danube River. Visitors can take the
exceedingly fast elevator to the top where there are two revolving
restaurants with local and international menus and a café where you
can enjoy a beverage as you watch Vienna go slowly by.
www.donauturm.at
7. Haus Der Musik (House of Music)
Located in the center of Vienna in the former Palace of Archduke
Charles this interactive museum of music allows visitors to touch,
play and make music with the numerous exhibits spread over
several floors. From virtual state-of the-art programs that allow you to
conduct the Vienna Philharmonic to simply listening to Mozart,
Beethoven, Schubert, or Brahms. On the top floor is the Musicantino
Restaurant while on the ground floor is a coffeehouse.
8. The Sigmund Freud Museum
The museum is Freud’s original office in his apartment where he
lived and worked. It opened in 1971, through the kind courtesy of his
daughter Anna. There are numerous original documents and files
together with the largest psychoanalysis library in Europe. The
waiting room remains the same and you can feel the sense of awe
being in the original place where Freud practiced. Visitors can also
purchase Freud’s works from the small gift shop.
http://www.freud-museum.at/
9. Michaelerplatz
This is the elaborate entrance into the Hofburg from Kohlmarkt. It
looks more like a building than an entrance, as it is a huge sprawling
building that is highly decorative with a green dome and gold
trimmings. The archway allows access to alt Hofburg.
10. The Vienna Opera House
A performance at the Vienna Opera house comes highly
recommended for opera lovers. It is world famous for its first class
performances, which tends to be accompanied by the Vienna
Philharmonic Orchestra. The building was completed in 1869 and
resembles Italian Renaissance and is adorned with numerous
statues, famous opera paintings and decorative art.
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