8.2.09

Vienna



Vienna : A Timeless City

Vienna is the capital and biggest city of Austria, boasting its rich art and culture, tourist spots and climate seemingly perfect for vacation.

Temperature averages during summer at 23-25°C while rarely less than 0°C during winter. It is the east most part of Austria stretching close to Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia with population of 1.7 million and considered as 10th in rank as largest city in the European Union.

Formed in 500B.C. as a Celtic settlement, this city became home to Habsburg and Babenberg dynasties during the Mid-Ages followed by the events of the Vienna Congress and later on by Napoleon's defeat. The population of the city dropped, as much of the historic buildings were completely ruined during the Second World War. Reconstruction of the city started after the war until 1980s and eventually the population increased.




Art, Culture and Tourism

From museums of Hoftburge and Leopold to Treater an der Wien and House of Music theaters; classical music to fine arts; birthplace to Strauss and Schubert as well school to composers Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart and Haydn, this city is definitely a 'temple of culture'.



Ringstrabe is the boulevard created to connect the key places around the area. This includes the Rathaus which houses the office of city government officials; the Staatsoper; the Burgtheatre; the museums of natural history and fine art and some Universities. The Vienna State Opera is also worth visiting with its modern architectural design built with the latest technology. Museumsquartier or the MQ, however, holds most of the cultural centers. It has a total area of 60 square kilometer located at 7th district. A lot of concerts highlighted the Viennesse music, mainly the masterpieces of Strauss and Mozart. Elisabeth, the musical, was the most successful so far, as it was translated and performed everywhere in the world.

Other places which draw more and more tourists’ attraction include the Hofburg imperial palace, Beethoven’s residences and his grave at the Central Cemetery, Mozart’s memorial grave, as well as a number of churches such as the St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Minoritenkirche and the Karlskirche. Vienna is also the home to Viennale Film Festival which is usually on the second half of October.


If you are into nightlife, the district of Grinzing has the best to offer; packed with huge number of beer houses, taverns that are open until early hours of the morning and restaurants where you can try the famous breaded veal, Wiener schnitzel. A lot of coffee houses can be found as you stroll along the streets while enjoying the music played by local people.

Vienna also offers good public transportation with its tram network and bus services, operating during the day. While the Nightline, during the night hours. Many holiday apartments can be found within the area that provides holiday offers for accommodation.

Vienna is timeless. This city, historic yet futuristic. Both elegant and romantic. Definitely one of the best destinations of the world.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Vienna-A-Quick-Guide-To-Vienna-Austria&id=185791

http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Wine-Regions-of-Austria----Focus-on- Vienna&id=139251

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vienna

(submitted write-up)