Archive: Sep 2018

Historically there were many different markets in Vienna, and many of today’s street names reflect this: Kohlmarkt, Heumarkt, Hoher Markt, and Bauernmarkt to name a few. Aside from the names that harken back to these earlier times, however, there is little other evidence that would clue you in to the fact that these areas used…

In February 2018, the former Grand Etablissement Gschwandner was reopened under the name “REAKTOR” as a new place of arts and culture. The Etablissement Gschwandner was an extension of the typical Viennese Heuriger, which had been run by the Gschwandner family since the 1830s, and it was built in 1877. It was among the most…

The Palais Fürstenberg, located in the first district, is among Vienna’s most picturesque buildings that is usually closed to the public. It is not precisely documented when exactly and by whom the neoclassicist Palais was designed, but it was probably built around 1720 and the style was influenced by the architect Lukas von Hildebrandt. The…

The history of the building that houses the Kärtnerstrasse location of the Art & Style shop came as a surprise to this SV explorer, which is not a small thing at all considering that this explorer is already used to the fact that Vienna holds a secret behind every stone. The surprise of Michael Klier…

As far as Austrian architects go, Anton Brenner may not be the most famous but he really shouldn’t be overlooked. Born in Vienna in 1896, he led a rather fascinating life. He was born to parents of modest means, and came of age just as the First World War broke out – meaning that he…

Vienna’s busy contemporary art scene of fairs and events Yes, a huge, inflatable, golden head of Karl Marx appeared on the roof of an office building. This time Marx got on the building to make an artistic statement and not a political one (even if some would correctly say that art is always political). The installation…

Vienna is full of history and it is hard to walk around the city center without passing by some building with an interesting story.  One of those places is the Palais Niederösterreich, located more or less in the middle of the Herrengasse (translated as “The Lords’ street”) and meters away from the famous Café Central. …

There are many reasons why one may choose to visit the Prater. Be it for a run, a walk, some adrenalin rush in the amusement park or, even better, to try out Secret Vienna’s interesting new guided tour, the place has something to offer for any age range from 2 to 102. What this SV…

Vienna’s Wienzeile is not only dominated by the famous Otto Wagner but also by one of his pupils, Hubert Gessner, who was considered as the architect of trust of the Social Democratic Party during the time of Red Vienna. He built not only many buildings during that period, but also important ones. Especially the building…