A (very brief) Guide to Vienna
Vienna, the capital of Austria, boasts an impressive number of palaces, monuments and other landmarks due to its centuries-long position as the heart of the Habsburg Empire.
Most of the city’s main sights are located in Vienna’s compact center or at the boulevard encircling the historic center, which makes it easy to visit the city on foot. Other neighborhoods are easily accessible thanks to the efficient subway.
Predominant Architecture:
A variety of architectural styles can be found in Vienna, such as the Romanesque Ruprechtskirche and the Baroque Karlskirche. Styles range from classicist buildings to modern architecture. Art Nouveau left many architectural traces in Vienna, and concurrent to the Art Nouveau movement was the Wiener Moderne, during which some architects shunned the use of extraneous adornment.
Places to see:
Hofburg: An immense Imperial palace, built by generations of Habsburg rulers from the 13th century up to the early 20th century. It is home to a number of interesting museums.
Schönbrunn Palace: The favorite residence of the Habsburg family. Its Schlosspark is a magnificent park with numerous monuments and fountains.
Stephansdom: Vienna’s Cathedral, the Gothic Stephansdom, was built in the 14th century at the site of an earlier church, of which two towers were incorporated.
Karlsplatz: One of the largest squares in Vienna. Much of it is occupied by the Resselpark, where two beautiful former metro pavilions are located.
Ringstrasse: The Ringstrasse is a boulevard created in the 19th century at the site of the former city
fortifications. In a span of two decades a host of magnificent buildings were erected here.
