Vienna

Schönbrunn Palace
It is the former summer residence of the imperial family. Ever since it was completed in 1780 during the reign of Maria-Theresia, the palace was the favorite residence of the Habsburg monarchs. The whole area, including the expansive garden, occupies about 176 hectares or 435 acres and you'll have to set aside at least a half-day for a visit to Schönbrunn's magnificent palace and garden.

Hofburg
Nowadays the Court Palace is a tourist magnet where visitors can see the royal appartments, chapel,church, library, the Winterreitschule and many museums that are housed in the complex. It consists of eighteen wings with more than 2000 rooms designed in a wide range of architectural styles, from Gothic to Baroque and Neoclassicist.

Michaelerplatz
Michaelerplatz is dominated by the impressive neo-Baroque Michaelertor, the entrance gate to the Hofburg. Opposite the palace is one of Vienna's first modern buildings, the Looshaus. The oldest building at Michaelerplatz is the Michaelerkirche, long the parish church of the emperors. At the center of the square is an open area with Roman and medieval remains.





Ringstrasse
With the dismantling of the defensive walls around Vienna during the mid 19th century, wide-open spacebecame available right near the city center, which created the opportunity to build a grand boulevard, the Ringstrasse.

Belvedere


The Belvedere is a magnificent palace complex in Vienna. Two Baroque palaces face each other on a sloping hill. Between the palaces is a formal French garden with fountains, statues and cascades.



Stephansdom
The mighty Stephansdom marks the heart of Austria's capital. Even today the cathedral's Gothic southtower, completed in the mid-fifteenth century, still dominates the skyline.

Parlament


One of the main eye-catchers along the Ringstrasse is the Parlament. The monumental neoclassical building is the seat of the Austrian Parliament. Inside are two large assembly halls that originally housed the two chambers of the Imperial Parliament.

Hundertwasserhaus
It is a colorful complex designed by the controversial Austrian artist/architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser,who is responsible for several similarly imaginative buildings in Vienna.

Art History Museum


The Kunsthistorisches Museum (Art History Museum) was built in 1891 near the Imperial Palace to house the extensive collections of the imperial family. With its vast array of eminent works and the largest Bruegel collection in the world, it is considered one of the most eminent museums in the world.

Rathaus
The city-gardener Rodulph Siebeck designed the Rathauspark from year 1872 to 1873 with its green spaces, monuments and fountains. After completion of the park, the construction of the Vienna Rathaus started with the layout of the foundation stone at the former parade ground.

