Vienna - the capital of Austria, as well as the administrative center of the district of Lower Austria, is located in the eastern part of the country, at the foot of the Alps, on one of the banks of the Danube River, surrounded by the beautiful Vienna Woods. The main water arteries of the capital are the Donaukanal branch of the Danube and the small river Vienna. The capital of Austria is located in the very center of Europe, at the junction of its eastern and western parts. Only 60 kilometers separate Vienna from the border with Slovakia. Today, about 2 million people live in the city. For many centuries, Vienna has been the main center of classical music - at one time many recognized musical geniuses lived and worked here: Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms. The Vienna Choir, the Vienna State Opera, and such a bright musical event as the Vienna Ball have gained worldwide fame.

Vienna has the status of one of the most charming European cities. Being in the past the capital of the Austrian Empire, it impresses with its luxury, sophistication and grandeur at the same time. This splendor is surrounded by low hills, climbing which, you can see the architectural masterpieces spread below. At the same time, Vienna is the location of the headquarters of political organizations such as OPEC and the OSCE. One of the UN residences is also located here, and the Vienna International Center houses the offices of the UNODC, the IAEA, and the UN Industrial Development Organization.

The Austrian capital is not only the administrative, but also the economic center of the country, which has concentrated enterprises in the electrical, metalworking, machine-building, food and textile industries. The head offices of the largest Austrian banks and insurance companies are located in Vienna, and twice a year the city becomes the center of international economic fairs. There are luxury hotels and branded stores of fashionable design houses.

To enter Austria, Russian tourists, as well as guests from many other countries, need a Schengen visa. The nearest international airport is located 16 kilometers from Vienna, in the small town of Schwechat. You can get from it to the capital by high-speed train, bus or taxi. Public transport of the city consists of the subway, electric trains, trams and buses. All modes of transport run strictly according to the schedule. Doors in buses and trams are not automatic, and in order to enter or exit, you must press the button next to the door.

Climatic features

The climate in this region is temperate continental, but the weather in Vienna is also determined by its proximity to the Alps. January is considered the coldest month, with an average air temperature of -2 ... + 2 ° С, however, sometimes the thermometers drop to -18 ° С. In winter, a lot of snow falls in the city. The warmest months are July and August, when the air warms up to +20°C, but on especially hot days, the thermometers rise to +30°C. During the winter months, foehns are often observed in the city - gusty warm mountain winds. The most favorable weather for travel begins in May and lasts until mid-October.

History reference

Archaeological finds indicate that the first settlements in this area appeared more than 20 thousand years ago. Modern Vienna was already a small provincial town in the 6th century AD. In the 10th century, it passed into the possession of the counts of Babenberg, and since 976, the name Ostarrich, meaning Austria, has been found in the surviving chronicles. From that time on, the city began to expand its borders and experienced its first architectural flowering. After the death of the last descendant of the counts of Babenberg, in the middle of the 13th century, power in the city fell to the Habsburgs, whose dynasty determined the course of historical events not only in Vienna, but throughout Austria until 1918, when the Austro-Hungarian monarchy fell. During the Second World War, Nazi troops were on the territory of Austria from 1938, turning the country into a province of Nazi Germany. After the end of hostilities in 1945 and the next 10 years, Vienna, divided into 4 sectors, was subject to the control of the Allied countries. Only in 1955 did Austria gain independence.

Modern Vienna is a real museum city, with many magnificent architectural monuments of various styles and trends. The ancient buildings in the city center were included in the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List in 2001.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

The pride of Vienna and its calling card is the St. Stephen's Cathedral, the construction of which dates back to 1340. Initially, on the site of the Cathedral there was a small parish church, built in 1137. Since its foundation, the temple has been subjected to numerous restructurings and its finally formed appearance, which has survived to this day, was acquired only by 1523. The facade walls are lined with smooth large blocks of hewn stone and are moderately decorated with sculptures and carved masks. The portals of the cathedral are covered with a real carved carpet, plunging into the world of religious symbols and ancient legends - there is also a floral ornament, and images of people, birds, fabulous and mythical animals.

The cathedral has north and south towers. The height of the latter is 136 meters, you can get to the top by breaking the stairs with 343 steps. At the very top there is an observation deck, which offers magnificent views of the city and its surroundings. The north tower was left unfinished, and in 1579 it was crowned with a Renaissance dome, under the arch of which was placed the Pummerin bell, which became the largest bell in Austria.

St. Stephen's Cathedral was badly damaged during the Second World War, and the famous Pummerin bell was broken. After 7 years of restoration work, the cathedral was completely restored. Today, a photo of this majestic Gothic temple is depicted on all souvenirs and tourist brochures that tell about Vienna.

The Vienna State Opera House is a musical Mecca, known not only in Austria, but all over the world. The building of the opera house was built in 1869 according to the designs of the talented architect August Sikkard von Sikkardsburg. After the premiere performance, it was recognized as one of the best in the world in terms of acoustic characteristics. Restored after the Second World War according to the surviving drawings, the opera house became the venue for the most significant dance event in the country - the annual Vienna Ball. This status event is attended by the President of Austria, as well as world celebrities, appearing in all their splendor.

Palace complex Belvedere

The huge Belvedere Palace was built in the 18th century by order of Prince Eugene of Savoy, who planned to use it as his summer residence. The complex consists of the Lower Belvedere, Upper Belvedere, and a beautiful garden between them, decorated with numerous sculptures and fountains. The halls of the Upper Belvedere were used for various celebrations and ceremonial receptions, so this palace is still associated with entertainment among local residents. After the death of Eugene, the entire complex, considered one of the most outstanding baroque examples in the world, was acquired by the Habsburgs. Today, in the premises of the Upper Belvedere, there is an art gallery with a large number of works by artists of the 19th-20th centuries.

The Hofburg is the main residence of the Habsburgs, founded in the 13th century and served until 1918. Originally built as a magnificent medieval castle, the Hofburg expanded its borders and grew with the same proportionality as the power of the Habsburgs. Over the long centuries of the reign of this dynasty, the Hofburg turned into a huge palace complex that combines a treasury with imperial crowns, several palaces and museums, a chapel in which the Vienna Boys Choir performs and an arena where you can see dancing Lipizzaner horses belonging to the Spanish Riding School. In total, the complex has about 2,600 halls; only a small part of the imperial chambers is open to tourists.

Schönbrunn is another summer residence of the great Habsburg family, one of the main attractions of Vienna and a must-see in the traveler's program. This palace can be compared with Peterhof and Versailles - here the most beautiful natural park is a harmonious continuation of the architectural masterpiece, made in the Baroque style. The palace complex consists of 1,400 halls, so it is very difficult to get around all the chambers open to tourists. Today in Schönbrunn there is an exhibition of carriages, with carriages, sleighs, palanquins and sedan chairs on display. The main place in the collection is occupied by a gilded, imperial carriage, harnessed by eight horses on the days of coronations. Also on the territory of the park is the Zoo and several museums. In summer, tourists can visit the palace theater, which hosts performances and musical concerts.

Austria is a highly developed country based on a market economy. It is located in the center of Europe and has no access to the sea. More than half of the country's territory (western and central lands) is occupied by the Eastern Alps. In the northeast is the southern part of the Bohemian Massif, which then passes into the Vienna Basin. On the eastern border with Slovakia is the Danube Lowland. I wonder what is remarkable about this capital?

Vienna just 100 years ago was the capital of the dualistic Austro-Hungarian monarchy, the second largest state in Europe (676 thousand sq. Km) after Russia. The Austrian part of the country included such remote provinces as the Polish-Ukrainian Galicia and the Italian Trieste.

Vienna is the capital of the German nation in the past, then the multinational 50 million Austria-Hungary and in our time Austria. Being located in the city itself can be described as a combination of German reliability, Slavic moderation and Southern elegance. What can boast of the Austrian capital?

Vienna is one of the leading business centers in the European Union. The economic policy was determined by the finance and insurance sectors. The capital of Austria is a traditional venue for international meetings, conferences and congresses. The UN office in Vienna is the organization's third main office after those in New York and Geneva. In addition, organizations such as the OECD and the IAEA are also located here.

Rich and historical capital. Vienna is a temple of classical music lovers: the famous Vienna Philharmonic, the Vienna Chamber Orchestra and the Vienna Boys Choir are located here. Great classics worked here: Joseph Haydn, Ludwig van Beethoven, as well as the “king of the waltz” Johann Strauss (son).

What is worth seeing in Vienna?

1. Belvedere Palace - On May 15, 1955, the Upper Belvedere Marble Hall became the site of the historic signing of the treaty establishing an independent and democratic Austria.
2. Museum of Art History with a collection of European paintings and art objects.
3. Albertina is a museum founded in the 17th century. It houses one of the largest collections of graphics in the world.
4. Imperial crypt in the basement of the Capuchin Church on the Neuer Markt.
5. A Spanish riding school performing in costume shows featuring Lipizzan horses.
6. The Karlskirche is one of the most beautiful baroque churches in the world.
7. Freyung - a magnificent square with an Austrian fountain (1846)
8. Graben, Kärtner Strasse, Kohlmarkt - streets with exclusive shops.

An interesting fact is that the Austrian capital Vienna and Bratislava in Slovakia are the two capitals of the European Union closest to each other. Their borders are only 60 km apart. A trip from one city to another on the Twin City Liner catamaran takes only 75 minutes.

It is known that from the Roman border camp called Vindobona, based on the site of former Celtic settlements, Vienna appeared. The capital of which country in Europe can still tell such a deep story of its founding? After all, its beginning dates back to the 15th year BC.

The name of Vienna is associated with the name of one of the most mysterious peoples of Europe - the Venets. These were Indo-Europeans who came to Europe from Asia Minor and settled here in compact groups over a vast area from Spain to the Baltic, including the Middle Danube. In the II-I millennia BC. they held in their hands the so-called "Amber Road" - a trade route between the Baltic and the Adriatic. Some of them, by the way, subsequently mixed with the Slavs, which is why the Finns and Estonians, according to old memory, call the Russians the word "venaya", that is, Veneti.

Veneti migrations

The dominance of the Veneti in Europe ended by the 6th century BC, when they gave way to the Celts. It was the Celtic tribes, who poured from Gaul into the valley of the Upper and Middle Danube, who gave the ancient settlement on the site of modern Vienna the name of Vindobona, which means “Venetian fortress”.

Vindobona— Roman military camp on the Danube

In the II century AD. Vindobona turned into a Roman camp, one of the strongholds of the Roman "limes" - a grandiose defensive rampart that stretched along the northern borders of the empire from the lower reaches of the Rhine to the Black Sea. From those times, only the water supply has survived in the city.

Here, in Vindobona, in 180, the famous Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, a Stoic philosopher, died, leaving behind a wonderful philosophical confession called “Alone with myself. Book of Reflections. He himself admits that he wrote it at night, when he was alone in his tent.

And here, for example, what thoughts came to the head of the ruler of the world under the starry sky of ancient Vienna: “Look, don’t be Caesars, don’t get soaked in purple - it happens. Keep yourself simple, worthy, uncorrupted, strict, direct, a friend of justice, benevolent, affable, strong for every proper deed. Life is short; one fruit of earthly existence is a righteous mental warehouse and deeds for the common good. Love the human race tenderly and obey God.”

However, the emperor-philosopher failed to instill in his subjects his desire for moral perfection. Subsequently, the inhabitants of Vienna proved themselves to be much more frivolous creatures, not inclined to philosophical reflection, but passionately loving music and various amusements.

2. Capital of the margraviate

The era of the Great Migration of Peoples and barbarian invasions completely changed the composition of the population of ancient Vindobona. In the V-VIII centuries. Ostrogoths, Huns, Slavs, Avars took turns hosting it, and with the beginning of the 9th century, the former Roman camp turned into a border fortress of the Frankish Empire of Charlemagne.

Leopold I on the Babenberg family tree

It is customary to count the independent history of Austria and Vienna from 976, when the brave knight Leopold I Babenberg received the southeastern borderland of the Bavarian March into his possession. It was then that in the Western European chronicles the name Vien appeared, which began to designate the former Roman Vindobona. Having settled in Vienna, the Babenbergs got stronger, received the title of margraves and began to pursue their own policy.

Coat of arms of the Babenbergs

By the XII century, Vienna was transformed into a real city, a major center of transit trade. The Germanic heroic epic "The Nibelungenlied" mentions a busy Viennese market where goods from different countries are sold, including from distant Kyiv.

Leopold IV Babenberg made a great contribution to the development of Vienna. By marrying a Byzantine princess, he achieved a ducal title for himself and actually isolated his possessions from Bavaria. Under him, the population of Vienna increased dramatically, since Leopold allowed aliens, even fugitive serfs, to settle in his capital. The local law stated: "The house of everyone who lives in Vienna is a fortress for himself, household members, guests and those who will seek protection in it."

In 1156, Leopold IV's heir Henry II received the title of Archduke from Holy Roman Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. This year is considered the year of birth of the Austrian state.

The Babenberg treasury was greatly replenished in 1192, when Leopold V turned out a successful commercial operation, capturing Richard the Lionheart, who was returning to his homeland from the Third Crusade. The famous English king received his freedom only two years later for a huge ransom for those times - 150 thousand marks of silver (about 10 tons of precious metal).

King Richard in custody (left)
and the death of Richard at Shalus (right)

A characteristic feature of the rule of the Babenbergs and subsequent rulers of Vienna was a careful attitude to the past. The center of Vienna under them was not built up very intensively, as the city expanded in concentric circles around its historical core, like the annual rings of a tree. And if it were not for the two world wars, many buildings of the first centuries of Christianity and the early Middle Ages would probably have survived to this day. But, unfortunately, only the church of St. Peter, built in the 7th century. Today it is the oldest building in the Austrian capital.

3. Family nest of the Habsburgs

The thirteenth century brought with it great changes both for Vienna and for the whole of Austria.

In 1273, the Swabian duke Rudolf I of Habsburg was elected ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. The name of this genus, so famous in the history of Europe, comes from the fortress of Habichtsburg, which means "hawk castle" (now this place is the territory of Switzerland). Large imperial feudal lords hoped to find a weak and obedient sovereign in the person of the Swabian prince, but they cruelly miscalculated. The clever and ambitious Rudolph soon took over the entire management of the empire.

Rudolf I. Tombstone

One of the victims of the imperious policy of the emperor was the Czech king Ottokar, who was married to the last representative of the Austrian Babenberg dynasty, Margarita, and therefore actually controlled Austria. In 1278, he died in a battle with Rudolf, and the Austrian Archduchy came under the rule of the Habsburgs for six and a half centuries.

The Habsburgs turned out to be very caring and diligent hosts. Already in the XIV century, they achieved special privileges for Austria, which freed the country from imperial taxes and the obligation to participate in the wars waged by the Holy Roman Empire. Thanks to this, Vienna began to grow rich quickly. At the beginning of the 16th century, one contemporary described the Austrian capital as follows: “The local burghers are not only numerous, but also distinguished by great wealth, accumulated with incredible greed. It is hard to believe how many people come here from other countries, how profitable people trade here, finding demand for any handicraft products. Accepting iron, tools, grain, cloth, precious stones, fat bulls and salted fish, the inhabitants of Vienna carry gold, silver, wine, beer, resin, artificial pearls to distant lands, not counting the many finished products.

With significant funds, the Viennese inhabitants improved the city's infrastructure, building almshouses, hospitals, schools, spacious houses and beautiful churches. In the Austrian literature of that time, which, of course, was the lot of the noble classes, there are often complaints that the country castles of the Austrian knights seem to be squalid shacks compared to the luxurious palaces of wealthy crowns.

4. St. Stephen's Cathedral

The Habsburgs also had a hand in decorating Vienna. It is customary to start sightseeing in the Austrian capital from Stephansplatz - St. Stephen's Square with the famous cathedral that gave it its name. Its observation deck offers a magnificent view of the Danube and Vienna.

St. Stephen's Cathedral (in Austrian, Stephansdom) is the symbol of Vienna, and St. Stephen is the patron saint of the Austrian capital.

Cathedral of Saint Stephen. Photo from 1905

The oldest, Romanesque part of the cathedral, the portal "Rizentor", is the same age as Moscow (in the photo - this is the end of the building). Its name translates as "giant gate". The fact is that when digging a foundation pit for the foundation of the portal, the shocked builders discovered the skeleton of a mammoth, whose ribs formed arcs, like huge arches of the gate. The then scientists decided that an unprecedented animal died during the Great Flood.

The Gothic style in Stephansdom is best represented by the south tower, almost 137 meters high, which was completed in 1433. The Viennese affectionately call her "Stefl" - a diminutive of "Stefan".

In the left nave, the creator of the cathedral, sculptor A. Pilgram
depicted himself with a compass and a square in his hands, on his shoulders
it has an organ plinth which is currently empty.

Under the cathedral is the tomb of the representatives of the Habsburg dynasty. And on the walls of Stephansdom you can see various historical objects, including measures of length, size and weight, which in the Middle Ages were used to check goods upon purchase.

Medieval Viennese length standards: Leinenelle=89.6 cm, Tuchelle=77.6 cm.

If you spend some more time, you will also be able to find a "frayung" - a ring embedded in the wall, grabbing onto which a person who fled from persecution gained immunity, even if it was a criminal. And in the cathedral spire, looking closer, you can see a built-in cannonball that flew into the cathedral during the Turkish siege of 1529.

The north tower of Stephansdom is the home of the Pummerin, the local "king bell". Its weight is almost 214 tons, its diameter is more than three meters. It was cast in 1683 after the second Turkish siege of Vienna from guns captured from the enemy. True, the current "Pummerin" is an exact copy of the old bell, which fell and broke during the fire of 1945, when the cathedral building burned for several days. One of the nine lands of the republic, Upper Austria, donated funds for the new Pummerin, which in 1952 was returned to its historical place, like the Peterhof Samson.

Sundial

The ringing of this giant can be heard on December 31st. On this festive evening, crowds of people fill St. Stephen's Square. The powerful rumble of the Pummerin floats over Vienna, then the unofficial anthem of Austria - the Strauss waltz "On the beautiful blue Danube" sounds, and under its enchanting sounds, thousands of whirling couples enter the New Year. A beautiful tradition worth seeing with your own eyes...

5. Hofburg

The Vienna Hofburg is a majestic "city within a city", consisting of several buildings, courtyards and squares. It was created over six centuries, and almost every Austrian emperor added something of his own to it, according to his needs and tastes.

The first mention of the royal castle in Vienna dates back to the 13th century. And two centuries later, the Hofburg was already a real fortress. In 1462, Emperor Frederick III withstood a heavy siege here, against whom his brother and rival, Archduke Albrecht, rebelled.

Vienna in 1493

However, little has survived from those times. The oldest part of the modern Hofburg is the Schweizerhof (Swiss Court). It was built in the 14th century, but its name arose four centuries later, when the Swiss Guard was stationed there - the personal guard of Empress Maria Theresa.

swiss yard

The Swiss Gate leading to the Schweitzerhof is probably Vienna's most interesting renaissance monument. They reproduce the classic type of front arch that came to Italian Renaissance art from ancient Rome. Once they were attached to the chains of the only drawbridge in the Hofburg.

The courtyard "In der Burg" (German: In der Burg) or in the translation "in the castle" is the largest internal
Hofburg Square, which is located in the center of the buildings of the Old Castle.

An English traveler in 1668 wrote that "the imperial residence is most excellent, magnificently and luxuriously built." However, in the first half of the 18th century, this splendor seemed insufficient to Emperor Charles VI, and he undertook new construction in the Hofburg, as a result of which St. Joseph (Josefplatz) acquired its modern look.

Josephplatz. The equestrian statue of Emperor Joseph II appeared in 1807.

Hofburg. End of the 19th century

The last phase of the construction of the Hofburg is the New Burg (Neueburg), built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries with Art Nouveau elements.

Neueburg

According to the plan of the authorities, New Burg was supposed to become a "forum" of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, but the collapse of the empire, which coincided with the end of the First World War, prevented the implementation of these plans. On March 15, 1938, from the balcony of the New Burg, Hitler proclaimed the Anschluss of Austria.

Today, the Hofburg is home to a number of Austrian government organizations and the OSCE. In the premises of the palace, where visitors are allowed, there is the famous winter arena of the Habsburgs, an exhibition of the treasures of the Austrian emperors (the crown of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian imperial crown made in 962 are in its collection), as well as a separate hall of the "Burgundian Treasury" with the regalia of the Dukes of Burgundy and so on. called "The Holy Spear, with which the crucified Christ was allegedly pierced.

Separate buildings of the Hofburg house the unique Austrian National Library, which contains more than two million books, notes, manuscripts and ancient manuscripts, as well as one of the richest art collections in the world - the Albertina Gallery.

It seems that no one has yet calculated how many years it takes to become properly acquainted with all these wonders of human genius.

6. Turkish sieges

In the XVI-XVII centuries, Vienna was destined to become the southern outpost of Europe in its struggle with the Ottoman Empire.

In 1529, Sultan Suleiman I announced that he wanted to spend that winter in Vienna. He instructed his favorite Ibrahim Pasha to lead the siege of the city. According to conservative estimates, the Turkish army numbered about 150,000 people - three times the population of what was then Vienna.

The Austrian capital was defended by only 15 thousand German and Spanish mercenaries under the command of the German Count Niklas Salm. And yet the city persevered.

Vein. 1530

Nature helped the Austrians. The spring of 1529 was very stormy. Rivers overflowed their banks, roads were washed out. As a result, the Turks lost a lot of siege weapons on the way to Vienna, which got stuck in the mud and sank in the swamps. The remaining guns were not enough to destroy the earthen ramparts around the city. Attempts by the Turks to bring mine trenches under them also ended in failure. Hunger began in the Turkish army, thousands of soldiers deserted from the camp. Therefore, Ibrahim Pasha appointed a decisive assault on October 12. The soldiers were promised big rewards. However, the defenders of Vienna repulsed this furious attack. On the night of October 14, the Turks lifted the siege and left, having killed all the captured prisoners.

Siege of Vienna in 1529

The joy of the Viennese was overshadowed by the death of Count Salm, who received a mortal wound in the last battle. His grave with a tombstone can be seen in the Fotivkirche church.

The notes of a contemporary, Sigismund Herberstein, who visited Vienna shortly after the Turkish invasion, make it possible to judge how fierce the struggle was. “Vienna has changed a lot,” he writes. - The suburbs, which were not much smaller than the city itself, were destroyed and burned. In addition, the whole country was scorched by the enemy, and it is rarely possible to get within the distance of a rifle shot without bumping into the corpse of a man or a horse. Let me remind you that the guns then fired at two or three hundred paces.

The second siege of Vienna by the Turks lasted two summer months in 1683.

This time, the combined forces of many European states came to the aid of the besieged under the command of the Polish king Jan Sobieski and the French prince Charles of Lorraine. In a fierce battle on September 12, the 250,000-strong Turkish army suffered an unprecedented defeat. The victors seized so much gold and silver in the Turkish camp that they could not take everything with them and distributed the rest of the treasures to the crowns.

Turkish army besieging Vienna in 1683

This siege caused heavy damage to the city. But there is no evil without good. Vienna has risen from the ashes, becoming even more beautiful than before.

The Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683 left terrible traces. The Habsburg fortress looked like a shapeless pile of stones: the city suburbs were burned, huge gaps gaped in the fortress wall, inside the city entire blocks were swept away by Turkish artillery fire. All the more striking was the heyday that the city experienced during the next half century. Vienna literally rose from the ashes, like a fabulous phoenix bird.

Vienna in 1683

The threat of a new Turkish invasion still remained, so the authorities first of all took care of protecting the city. A decree was issued forbidding any construction closer than 600 paces from the city walls. The forbidden space was surrounded by an earthen rampart, all the buildings inside it were demolished, and instead of them, Vienna was surrounded by a green massif, the basis of future Viennese parks.

It took only 30 years for the city suburbs, which lay somewhat higher than the Old City, to turn into an aristocratic district, descending in graceful terraces to the fortress walls. The construction of palaces and villas was carried out in the fashionable baroque style, which to this day determines the architectural appearance of Vienna. Moreover, all the new buildings were facing the historical center of the city, like a crowd of respectful servants surrounding the master.

Vienna in the 18th century

As often happened in history, the creation of all this beauty was provided by slave labor. The builders of the new Vienna were captured Turks and serfs of Moravia and Hungary. Many of them died of starvation and beatings, and even more drowned in unsuccessful attempts to cross the wide Danube.

At the same time, the intensive development of the city opened up new opportunities for talented architects. The most famous architect of this era was Fischer von Erlach, the son of an obscure sculptor, who, thanks to his talent, managed to take the place of the chief inspector of court buildings and earn the unofficial title of the architect of the German nation.

Among its most famous buildings are the palaces of Prince Schwarzenberg and Prince Eugene of Savoy, the building of the Bohemian Court Office, the Church of St. Charles (Karlskirche), built in 1713 in memory of the deliverance of Vienna from a terrible plague.

Palace of Prince Schwanzerberg

Erlach's fame was so great that he practically ousted foreigners from the architectural world of Vienna. However, he had a rival - Lucas von Hildebrandt.

It is to these two people that Vienna owes the originality of the Viennese Baroque style - elegant and at the same time monumental. The creative imagination of Erlach and Hildebrandt turned the Austrian capital from an ordinary medieval fortress into one of the unique cities in the world.

2. Belvedere

The famous Belvedere palace and park ensemble is now located almost in the center of the city, but when looking around it, one should remember that it was conceived as a country residence, a luxurious summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, one of the most prominent commanders of his time.

Belvedere surrounded by ramparts. Lithograph from 1850

The construction of the Belvedere was entrusted to Lucas von Hildebrant, who at one time served as an engineer in the army of Prince Eugene. In 1700, grandiose work began on laying out the park in the French style, that is, with fountains, pools, waterfalls, stairs, terraces, neatly trimmed bushes and low alleys. Only 13 years later, Hildebrandt was able to start building two snow-white palaces - the Lower and Upper. And only in 1723 the builders finally left the Belvedere, making room for the patient owner.

Upper Belvedere

Belvedere has survived to this day almost in its original form. The Lower Palace faces the Old Town. Its back wall is reflected in the pond, and the side wall once served as a menagerie fence. This is the only detail of the Belvedere that has disappeared over time. However, it is known that during the life of Eugene of Savoy, lions and eagles were kept in the menagerie - creatures especially loved by Baroque artists and perfectly suited to the military glory of Prince Eugene.

Lower Belvedere - a palace on the shore of a man-made lake

From the upper Belvedere you can enjoy an amazing view of Vienna.

1850

Modern look

The fact that Hildebrant created something outstanding was already understood by his contemporaries. In 1725, the poet Hingerle glorified the Belvedere in his poems as "Viennese Versailles", and a few years later the famous graphic artist Kreiner devoted a whole series of engravings to the palace.

After the death of Eugene of Savoy, the Belvedere became the property of the Habsburgs. The Lower Palace soon became an art gallery, one of the first museums in Europe open to the public. Since the beginning of the 20th century, a special commission has taken care of the regular replenishment of this art collection. The work of Gustav Klimt, the pride of Austrian art, is especially fully represented in the Belvedere. His works, among which the most famous is the painting "The Kiss", have become a kind of hallmark of the country.

The Upper Palace is more famous as the residence of the heir to the Austrian throne, Prince Franz Ferdinand - the very one whose assassination in Sarajevo led to the outbreak of the First World War. On May 15, 1955, in the front hall of the Upper Palace, decorated with red marble, an agreement was signed that put an end to the ten-year occupation of Austria by the troops of the anti-Hitler coalition.

3. "Golden Age"

The "golden age" of the Austrian Empire, as in our country, in Austria was associated with the rule of a woman.

Maria Theresa at the age of 11

With the Austrian emperor Charles VI, a story happened that often led to the extinction of European dynasties: his wife gave birth to only girls. Having lost hope of having a son, Charles VI, shortly before his death, signed a decree on succession to the throne - the so-called "pragmatic sanction". According to this document, the Austrian throne was to go to the eldest of the four daughters of the emperor - 24-year-old Maria Theresa, wife of the Lorraine prince Franz Stephen. The leading European countries guaranteed the legitimacy of the "pragmatic sanction" and the integrity of Austria. Only the Prussian king Frederick II tried several times to rob the young heiress. But the warrior, who forgot about gallantry, was pacified, not without the help of Russia, which utterly defeated Prussia during the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763.

In the family

Maria Theresa ruled Austria for forty long years - from 1740 to 1780. Unlike many other female rulers, including her contemporaries, she went down in history not for her love affairs, but for her happy family life. Maria Theresa lived with her husband in love and harmony for almost 27 years, and when he died, the inconsolable widow even accurately calculated the duration of her happiness. It turned out exactly 335 months, or 1540 weeks, or 10,781 days, or 258,744 hours. The couple had 16 children, three of whom died at an early age.

Maria Theresa also transferred her feelings of a loving wife and caring mother to her subjects. She introduced many reforms in Austria that would have done honor to any ruler. In particular, by her order, compulsory six-year schooling was introduced and torture and corporal punishment were prohibited. In Vienna, under her, many old palaces were completed and new ones were erected. In 1770, Vienna's houses were numbered for the first time. A plate with the number "1" was affixed to the wall of the Hofburg Imperial Palace.

Unfortunately, the Viennese repaid their empress with black ingratitude - and only for one single ill-conceived decree. Shortly before her death, Maria Theresa introduced a high tax on wine, which, under her, was considered a luxury item. This order caused such a burning resentment among the inhabitants of Vienna that most of them did not want to see their empress on her last journey.

The history of the emergence and formation of Vienna. Development and historical events in Vienna.

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Vienna is the largest city in Austria, which is not only the capital, but also the political, economic and cultural center of the whole country. Its history, like a mirror, reflects the history of the formation, first of a small state, and later of a huge empire. Incidentally, it influenced the foreign policy not only of Europe, but also of neighboring countries. Since it was Vienna that was the residence of the Habsburg dynasty, the Austrian rulers who for several centuries bore the title of emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, in fact the city can be considered as one of the heirs of the greatest ancient civilization.

The old part of Vienna and Schönbrunn Palace are under the protection of the World Heritage.

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Prehistoric Vienna

The territory of Vienna is shaped like a circle, crossed from end to end by the Danube River. In part, this view of the Austrian capital is reminiscent of ancient times, when even in the prehistoric period, people chose river banks as a place to build their future homes. Later, being a little less dependent on the waters of the Danube, the settlers began to develop nearby lands, and by the 1st century AD, on the site of the dwellings of the Celts who had chosen this place, a military camp of the Romans who came from outside was set up under the name Vindobona. The arrival of Roman civilization, on the one hand, meant the end of the relatively peaceful life of the "indigenous" inhabitants, and on the other hand, it symbolized the beginning of a new round of development for Vindobona.

Vindobona means "land of Vindos" in Celtic. Vindos is the name of one of the Celts.

From Carolingians to Habsburgs

The first persons of royal blood who drew attention to the future magnificent Vienna were representatives of the Carolingian dynasty (this surname is closely connected with the history of France). They build a castle in the northeastern part of Vindobona in the 9th century. Also, around the same time, a new name of the city, closer to today, begins to appear in the documents. The Babenberg dynasty continues the work of the Carolingians by building their house and church here. But the real owners of Vienna are the most powerful Habsburgs.

The first persons of royal blood who paid attention to the future magnificent Vienna were representatives from the Carolingian dynasty.

During their reign, the city experienced a lot. The siege by the Turks in the 16th century, the plague, in honor of the deliverance from which the Plague Column was erected, the invasion of Napoleon's troops and much more. But this did not prevent Vienna from being the most important cultural center for two centuries, from the 18th to the 20th century. The defeat in the First World War and the economic crisis led to the fall of the House of Habsburg. The Second World War and all the events connected with it did not add greatness to the city. Nevertheless, a large-scale reconstruction of the historical center, carried out in the 70s and 80s, was able to restore its former architectural appearance, and today Vienna is almost as beautiful as it was many years ago.

Vienna occupies a worthy place in the galaxy of brilliant European capitals. From its very foundation in ancient times, the city experienced several architectural upsurges, but it began to turn into a real masterpiece after the accession of the Habsburg dynasty in the 13th century.

Vienna is associated with the life and work of the musical geniuses Mozart, Schubert, Haydn. Here are the magnificent palaces of the Austrian emperors, the bells of majestic cathedrals ring, real court balls take place.

For tourists, the capital of Austria is attractive all year round. In between sightseeing, they sit in cozy Viennese coffee houses, tasting delicious Austrian sausages, enjoying fresh pastries from pastry shops on Kärntnerstrasse. And in the evenings they arrange promenades in the parks and admire the illumination of the Danube promenades.

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What to see and where to go in Vienna?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.

The palace is the former city residence of the imperial family and embodies the very spirit of the once great Austro-Hungarian Empire. The complex occupies an entire block: dozens of buildings, nineteen courtyards, two parks and countless indoor squares. The Hofburg acquired its present appearance by 1913. Now museums, galleries, the national library and concert halls are located on its territory.

The summer residence of the Habsburgs, built in the pompous style of the Austrian Baroque. The palace is surrounded by a huge landscape park, especially picturesque in spring and early summer. It grows hundreds of species of flowers, shrubs, trees and exotic plants. 40 rooms and halls of the residence are open for visiting, where you can look at the imperial bedrooms, reception rooms, ballrooms.

Another pearl of the 18th century palace baroque style. The palace complex is often referred to as the "Viennese Versailles" for its beauty. Belvedere belonged to the brilliant Austrian commander Prince Eugene of Savoy. Now the halls of the Lower and Upper Belvedere houses a museum complex of medieval art, the Baroque period and impressive collections of paintings from different eras.

Symbol of the Vienna Musical, one of the best opera houses in Europe. Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Maria Callas and other great performers performed here at different times. Regular productions include works by Strauss, Mozart, Verdi and Ravel. The modern building of the theater appeared in the 19th century, it was immediately headed by Gustav Mahler. At the opening in 1965, Don Giovanni by W. A. ​​Mozart was performed for the audience.

A well-known concert venue, one of the centers of the musical life of the Austrian capital. The Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and guest bands perform here, many come on tour from other countries. The Philharmonic is popular with guests of Vienna, as musicians in costumes of the Mozart era often perform here and create a unique surroundings and atmosphere of the 18th century.

Royal Dramatic Theater of Austria. It appeared at the behest of Empress Maria Theresa in the first half of the 18th century. The building is located near the Hofburg and City Hall. The theater was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War, and it took a lot of time and effort to restore it. Today, the Burgtheater is a well-known and popular venue hosting the world's leading theater groups.

The building is located in the Inner City (the central district of Vienna) and serves for administrative purposes. The town hall houses the parliament - the Landtag, the municipal assembly, and also houses the mayor's residence. During the construction, the model of the Brussels City Hall in the neo-Gothic style was used. The interior decoration is more like a palace with rich decorations, huge crystal chandeliers and large halls.

An architectural complex with elements of neoclassical, Byzantine and antique style, designed and built by the architect Baron Hansen in the 19th century. He specifically created such a project to remind future parliamentarians of the birthplace of democracy, Greece. Since the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918, the national and federal councils have been sitting here, before that the Chamber of Deputies was located.

The palace-museum, which in the past belonged to one of the oldest and noble European families - the princes of Liechtenstein. The building houses a large private collection of art objects, which the family began to collect from the 16th century. Among the exhibits are the works of Flemish painters, paintings of the Renaissance, Romanticism, jewelry, antique furniture, collections of weapons, household items from different times.

The castle is the family home of the Liechtenstein family. This magnificent example of medieval architecture is located in the Vienna Woods. The history of the castle began in the 12th century along with the history of the family. Over the centuries, the building was repeatedly destroyed during the fighting. After the bombing of World War II, it was restored at the expense of the townspeople, and Liechtenstein leased the castle to the Vienna municipality.

Kreuzenstein is one of the most visited Austrian castles and is located a few kilometers from Vienna. The fortress arose on the site of an ancient Roman fortification, in the XIII century it passed into the possession of the reigning Habsburgs. After being destroyed in the 17th century as a result of the Swedish War, the castle lay in ruins for almost two centuries. Only in the 19th century, the Wilczek family bought the land and reconstructed the castle in its original form.

Gothic cathedral of the XIV century with magnificent interior decoration, a true symbol of the Austrian capital. The temple went through many reconstructions, by 1523 it acquired the form in which it has survived to this day. From the observation deck on one of the towers offers a breathtaking view of Vienna. In the cathedral catacombs are the tombs of E. Savoy, Frederick III, Rudolf IV and other representatives of the royal dynasty.

Baroque Catholic Church with elements of Rococo, Byzantine, Greek and even Arabic style, built by order of Emperor Charles VI in the first half of the 18th century. The reason for the construction was the terrible plague that hit Vienna in 1713. The emperor promised the Lord that he would build a church in honor of his patron Saint Charles if the city got rid of the terrible infection.

A striking monument of neo-Gothic architecture of the XIX century. It has the most typical elements for this style: openwork decorative patterns that create a “flying” airy image, lancet window spans and arches, high spiers of the main towers. The temple is built of white sandstone, so the building often requires reconstruction. The church appeared as a token of gratitude to God from Emperor Franz Joseph.

One of the oldest churches in the capital, built under Emperor Leopold I. The dome of the temple was designed in the image of the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican. According to some historical sources, in 792 there was a church founded under Charlemagne. The first direct mention of the temple dates back to the 12th century. The building in the Romanesque style burned down in the 17th century, ten years later the modern church of St. Peter was erected in its place.

The apartment in which the great composer lived with his family in the period 1784-1787. Here, one of his main creations, the opera The Marriage of Figaro, was born. The museum was opened on the 150th anniversary of Mozart's death and reconstructed 100 years later. Only the stove, window openings and doors remained from the original furnishings. In the museum you can see various items that belonged to the composer's family.

An outstanding collection of paintings, initiated by Duke Albert (Albrecht). The gallery has several dozen halls, which exhibit works by Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Rubens, Raphael, Michelangelo, Rembrandt. In addition to the art exhibition, the Albertina has a library with a reading room. A restaurant and a souvenir shop are open for tourists, where you can buy art history books.

Museum organized in the house of the founder of psychoanalysis Z. Freud. The expositions tell about the activities and researches of the scientist. Visitors can look at the psychoanalyst's waiting room, office, waiting room. The museum also contains an extensive library of three hundred volumes devoted to the study of psychoanalysis. Freud and his family lived in this house until the German occupation in 1938.

Two museums in the style of the Italian Renaissance, located close to each other. Both buildings were built according to the design of the masters Baron von Hasenauer and Gottfried Semper. Between the museums there is a picturesque landscape square with small fountains, alleys and topiary trees. The interior decoration is also luxurious, the interiors are reminiscent of the imperial palace.

Located in the Museum Quarter of the capital. The expositions are dedicated to the work of contemporary Austrian artists. The gallery exhibits works by Oskar Kokoschka, Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt. The basis of the museum was a private collection of the Leopold family. In 1994, the Austrian government bought more than 5,000 paintings from them, established a museum, and Rudolf Leopold was appointed its director for life.

Observation tower on the territory of the Danube Park with a height of 252 meters, the highest point of the Austrian capital. From the summit in clear weather, visibility reaches 80 km. You can climb on two high-speed elevators, or by breaking the stairs of 779 steps. The tower has two restaurants on a rotating platform. In summer, bungee jumpers organize buckle competitions from the observation deck.

The building appeared in the XVIII century. and served as a shelter for people with mental disabilities. This is one of the oldest madhouses in Europe. In 1786, the sinister tower was given over to the museum of pathological anatomy. The exhibits of the museum are human organs and parts of the body (as well as the whole body), subjected to mutations as a result of diseases or genetic pathologies, stored in alcohol solutions. The exposition is part of the Museum of Natural History.

The home of the avant-garde artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser with an interesting and unusual design. The eccentric creator himself called it an "ecological home." On the one hand, the architecture of the building is somewhat reminiscent of the famous creations of A. Gaudi: smooth asymmetrical shapes, bright colors, balconies decorated in the Art Nouveau style. And on the other hand, the fabulous home of the hobbits from The Lord of the Rings.

A picturesque natural area and a well-maintained resort area, located on the spurs of the Alps in the vicinity of Vienna. The forest has been recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve due to its unique ecosystem. Valuable beech and oak trees grow here. Many folk legends and legends are associated with the Vienna Woods, united under the general name "Tales of the Vienna Woods".

Public park, laid out in the 19th century. by order of Emperor Franz Joseph. A popular place for walking locals and relaxing from the bustle of the city. On the paths there are busts and statues of famous personalities: Schubert, Strauss, Lehar, Bruckner. Concerts are constantly held in the park, dance floors are arranged, cafes and restaurants are open. The territory is decorated with flower meadows, curly bushes and fountains.

The street encircling the central part of Vienna, one of the main city arteries. The Ringstrasse was built on the site of the old city walls. The most famous sights of the capital are located along the boulevard: the Hofburg complex, the Vienna Opera House, the Parliament building, museums, parks, monuments. There are busy transport routes. The street stretches for 5.3 km. in length.

It is located on the left bank of the Danube. Until the 18th century, imperial hunting grounds were located here, then, at the behest of the royal family, a park was laid out - coffee houses, carousels, and pastry shops appeared. People were entertained by clowns and street performers. Since the 19th century, the Vienna Fair has been held on the territory. The park has a Ferris wheel, recognized as one of the oldest in Europe. The Prater is a favorite holiday destination for Viennese families with children.

The world-famous Viennese coffee house, located on the first floor of the five-star hotel of the same name. The cafe is open to everyone and has fairly affordable prices. Here you can drink magnificent Viennese melange and taste the famous Austrian Sacher cake, the recipe of which is still kept in strict confidence (only the cafe's confectioners own it).

Aquarium and terrarium in one area, where a wide variety of marine life and amphibians are represented. It contains jellyfish and rays, rare species of fish, sharks, turtles and snakes, crocodiles, spiders and lizards. About 10,000 animals live in aquariums and tanks. The House of the Sea is located in the building of a 45-meter tower, on top of which there is an observation deck.

The zoo appeared in the 18th century at the request of Emperor Franz Stefan (the monarch had a craving for natural sciences). Nowadays, the zoo is recognized as one of the best in the world; several hundred species live here. Special pride - giant pandas, a rare endangered species of animals. Newly appeared panda cubs are sent to China at the age of 2 years, because. this country is the owner of all pandas by treaty.