Vienna the capital city of Austria lies in the Danube Valley - where the Danube leaves the Alps and enters the Pannonian Plains. Its history was very much shaped by the ruling Hapsburg family for more than 600 years who had their opulent palaces built in and around the city. World renowned as a great cultural centre for music, art and architectural excellence, it is also an important meeting place and head quarters for world diplomats and experts of various fields being the 3rd seat of the United Nations (after New York and Geneva). |
| |
|
The opulent Schonbrunn Palace built in 1692-1780
served as
a summer residence to Empress Maria Teresa, her
family and later Habsburg rulers. |
| |
|
Rathaus, the city Town Hall built between 1872-1883 in
neo-gothic style lights up at night. The square is site
for an interesting Christmas bazaar. |
| |
|
| At Heroes Square, view of the towering Town Hall in daylight. |
| |
|
The New Hofburg and the statue of Prince Eugene
in Heroes Square.
He won glorious campaigns
against the Turks and French. |
| |
|
Glazed tile roof of St. Stephen Cathedral - they were
replacements of the original after a
fire in 1945.
The cathedral was built between 1137-47. |
| |
|
Hofburg - the winter palace built between 1278-1918,
Josefplatz - the square and statue of
Emperor Josef II. |
| |
|
Danubius Fountain at the outer wall of a former Habsburg
city residence symbolising the close relationship
between the city and river (Danube). |
| |
|
Secession built in 1897-98 as an exhibition centre for
art noveau artists.
The cupola is made
of gold plated iron laurel branches. |
| |
|
St. Michael’s wing of Hofburg built in 1890-93
was the Habsburg family’s winter palace.
The many stone sculptures symbolizes
power, justice and wisdom. |
| |
|
Votivkirche or Thanksgiving Church built
between 1856-79 in remembrance of the
fortunate escape from an attempted
assassination of Emperor Franz Josef. |
