Do&Co
Recommended Large Hotels in Vienna’s old town
Large Hotels in Vienna's old city - our top 10 Choosing the perfect hotel in Vienna can make or break your vacation! This list may hopefully give you some inspiration…
König von Ungarn Hotel
Recommended Small Hotels in Vienna’s old city
Small Hotels in Vienna's old city - our top 10 Choosing the perfect hotel in Vienna can make or break your vacation! This list may hopefully give you some inspiration…
Secret Vienna Popular Tours
Secret Vienna Popular Tours
Looking for a tour in Vienna? Learn about our popular tours! Here's an overview of our Secret Vienna popular tours to help you select the best tour for you. Hopefully…
Museumsquartier Secret Vienna
The story of the Museums Quartier
You must visit the Museums Quartier if you are into contemporary art! I am sure some of you have walked past or even visited Vienna’s Museums Quartier (MQ) before. Today…
Old Vienna Secret Vienna
The beauty of old Vienna
Travel back in time - Old Vienna Most of you know about our city’s history. About our traditions and the places, where we can still experience old Vienna. We at…
Austria’s Drugstore Museum
The Drugstore Museum in Vienna
Looking for a different museum? Visit the Drugstore Museum in Vienna! Located in Vienna’s 9th district, in the Währinger Straße 14, Austria’s Drugstore Museum has a long history, tracing back…
Snow Globe Museum Vienna Secret Vienna
Snow Globe Museum
Vienna's Snow Globe Museum is definitely worth the visit! It was the year 1900 as Erwin Perzy created the first ever snow globe. His first design was the basilica Maria…
Cafe Korb Secret Vienna
The story of Cafe Korb
Just like the Café Demel, the Café Korb is one of our traditional coffee houses, located in the first district. The place where the Café Korb is located is full…
Alma Mahler-Werfel
The life of Alma Mahler-Werfel
Let us tell you the story of one impressive woman - Alma Mahler-Werfel Alma Mahler-Werfel is a rather controversial woman. Her entourage described her as ‘femme fatale’. They saw her…
Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg
Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg
Learn more about Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg - Napoleon's secret lover Emilie Kraus von Wolfsberg was born in 1785. Perhaps you have heard of her before, but her relationship with…
The Kahlenberg Cemetery
The story of the Kahlenberg Cemetery
Have you ever visited the Kahlenberg Cemetery? Maybe after reading this you will! Would you think of cemeteries if somebody asked you to describe Vienna’s charm? Many tourists that come…
Royi’s Creperie A One Of A Kind Creperie And A Hidden Gem In Vienna
Royi’s Creperie- A one of a kind Crêperie
Royi’s Crêperie, a one of a kind Crêperie in Vienna! In Vienna’s 6th district, in a lovely and quiet street nearby Gumpendorferstraße, one can find a true hidden gem. That’s…
Schwerelos A Floating Center For Your Body And Mind
Schwerelos- A floating center for your body and mind
Schwerelos, floating, relaxing, calming down In our modern, hectic world, it’s become quite difficult to simply stop and relax. It’s ironic how easy it is to be in constant motion…
Maria Antonia And The Diamond Necklace
Maria Antoinette and the Diamond Necklace
Marie Antoinette's fascinating diamond necklace Marie Antoinette is usually thought quintessentially French. Tied to the French Revolution, and famous for her “let them eat cake!” proclamation. Which she most likely…
The Lengths And Depths Of Viennese Escalators
The lengths and depths of Viennese escalators
Vienna's escalators - lengths and depths Everyday the residents of Vienna take the public transportation to work or to school. A large share of these commutes are taking place on…
The Story Of E. Braun & Co.
The story of E. Braun & Co.
E. Braun & Co. - a traditional company dating back to the 1800s When walking along the Graben, you have most likely seen the famous clothing company H&M. And perhaps…
The Story Of The Christian Brandstätter Verlag
The story of the Christian Brandstätter Verlag
Christian Brandstätter - more than just a lover of Vienna If you are interested in “Vienna 1900” or Jugendstil, chances are you have come across books published by the Christian…
Riding The ‘bim’, Vienna Style Tram
Riding the ‘bim’, Vienna style
Vienna's bim Have you ever heard the Viennese refer to the tram, or Strassenbahn, as a “bim” and wondered what they were on about? Why call a tram a bim,…
Crocodiles In The Donaukanal
Crocodiles in the Donaukanal
Crocodiles in the Donaukanal - who would have thought There are any number of things one might expect to fish out of the Donaukanal, but crocodiles in the Donaukanal? What…
The Story Of The Ottakringer Brauwerk Brewery
The story of the Ottakringer Brauwerk brewery
The Ottakringer Brauwerk - the perfect spot for Craft Beer lovers It is likely that our readers have had a craft beer already. But if you live in Vienna perhaps,…
The Story Of The “heumühle”
The story of the “Heumühle”
Heumühle - a place full of history A bit hidden in the district of Vienna’s fourth district between the well-known Kettenbrückengasse and the perhaps less-known Heumühlgasse, you will find a…
The Wiener Schnitzel, By Way Of Constantinople, Paris, And Milan
The Wiener Schnitzel
If you love Wiener Schnitzel, this post is for you! Where does the Wiener Schnitzel come from? The name of course ties it to Vienna. Many say that it actually…
The Arena in Vienna
On June 27, 1976 a group of activists, referring to themselves as the Arenauten, occupied the abandoned area of the St. Marx slaughterhouse to protest the lack of alternative culture…
Mural at the Lazarist’s Chapel in Vienna
If you are into murals, this one is for you! As we have told you in the past, there is no shortage of churches in Vienna. Some are better and…
The Story of the Opernpassage
The Opernpassage, a true monument! We all know that Vienna is very well connected. And not only because of its great public transport system, but also because it has a…
Hans Makart
The story of Hans Makart
If you have lived in Vienna long enough or you are just interested in art or architecture, it is likely that you have come across the names Wagner, Klimt, Schiele,…
The Cafe Schönbergers
If you love history and coffee, the Cafe Schönbergers is the perfect spot! There are many places to drink coffee in Vienna. Some have impressive interior designs and others are…
The Story Of The Habig Hof
The story of the Habig-Hof
The Habig-Hof Perhaps some of our readers entered a coffee house one day and they were impressed. Some days ago, we felt that way. But let us start from the…
The story of the Billrothhaus
The Billrothhaus The Frankgasse in Alsergrund may not be a household name unless you live in the area. But on this street there is an organization with a long history…
The story of the Hermesvilla
It is quite impressive how some buildings in Vienna have survived the last centuries facing. One of such places is the Hermesvilla. Built in 1882-1886, at the request of the…
Viennese Cappuccinos And Italian Schnitzel
Viennese cappuccinos and Italian Schnitzel
Viennese Cappuccinos It is popularly said that, contrary to all expectations, cappuccinos originate from Vienna. And the Schnitzel comes from Italy. Is this true, or where does this notion come…
The Story Of Old Walls At The Hofburg
The story of old walls at the Hofburg
Vienna's Hofburg The Hofburg in Vienna is an interesting place. One can literally tell the history of the Habsburg empire by walking through it. Starting with the Babenberger family and…
Answering The Call Of Nature — Literally.
Vienna’s public toilets
Vienna’s public toilets aren’t just toilets – no, they are experiences! Although you may be quite skeptical of what kind of ‘experience’ that might be, its less shady gas station…
The story of the Michaelerplatz
Any visitor to Vienna will have stood for a brief moment on Michaelerplatz. You have to marvel at some of the city’s architectural wonders. Even in Roman times, the square…
Sisi The Royal Horse Whisperer
Sisi the royal horse whisperer
Empress Elisabeth of Austria, known as Sisi, is often depicted astride a horse in portraits, and for good reason. She was an excellent horsewoman and rider who had a particular…
On The Tabor
On the Tabor
Have you ever wandered through the 2nd district and found yourself wondering what “Am Tabor” means? If you are well-versed in battle and defense terminology from the Middle Ages, the…
The Story Of The Schottentor
The Story of the Schottentor
It is likely that everyone in Vienna has heard about the „Schottentor“. A famous spot for Vienna’s transport system, which brings together several tram lines and the metro U2. The…
The Story Of Egon Schiele
The Story of Egon Schiele
For many people Egon Schiele is a household name. In particular, if you spend a lot of time at the Museum Quartier in Vienna, it is very hard to miss…
The Story Of Niklas Meldeman’s Map
The story of Niklas Meldeman’s map
In some of our stories we have made references to the Ottoman sieges of Vienna. The first siege took place in 1529 and the second in 1683. There is information…
The Story Of The “porta Decumana”.
The story of the “Porta Decumana”
The Porta Decumana - a piece of Vindobona Perhaps you have noticed that the Rotenturmstraße in the city center is a construction site. It has made some headlines in the…
The Queen in Vienna
By now is it probable that you already heard the news: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor was born on May 6. And this happy occasion has coincided with a royal event that…
Galopprennbahn Vienna
A racetrack fit for a king
Imperial racetracks Did you know that Vienna historically had two separate horse racetracks? One for trotting (Trabrennbahn) and one for galloping (Galopprennbahn). The Galopprennbahn is the older of the two,…
Augarten, Or The Joys Of Floodplain Park
Augarten, or the joys of Floodplain Park
There are many great parks in Vienna. Surely one of the most loved and most visited is the Augarten. Located in the heart of the 2nd district, this green oasis…
The Story Of Mozart And The Organ
The Story of Mozart and the Organ
If you live in Vienna perhaps you are familiar with the online platform “Willhaben” where you can buy and sell all sorts of things. In the very old days, there…
The Misunderstood Location Of The Johannes Of Nepomuk Chapel
Johannes of Nepomuk Chapel
Johannes of Nepomuk Chapel - a chapel one needs to visit If you take tram line no. 2 or 5 to the station ‘Am Tabor’, you may notice a small…
The Story Of Frederic Morton
The Story of Frederic Morton
It is time to tell you about Frederic Morton. He was born in Vienna in October 1924 as Fritz Mandelbaum. His family escaped Vienna in June 1939 when he was…
A Trot And A Run The Trabrennbahn
A trot and a run: the Trabrennbahn
We recently told you the history of the Galopprennbahn in Vienna. As we mentioned in that story, there has historically been another horse track in the city. The Trabrennbahn. A…
Livercheese Vienna
Leberkäse: neither liver nor cheese
It may not be the most glamorous food, nor the healthiest, but sometimes it really hits the spot. I’m talking, of course, about the humble Leberkäse. But where does this…
The Global Gardens Of Schönbrunn
The Global Gardens of Schönbrunn
Nowadays it may seem completely natural to have easy access to products from all over the world. But the past it was considered a great luxury to procure certain goods…
Fire At The Hofburg Vienna
Fire at the Hofburg
November 27, 1992. A security guard raises the alarm after discovering flames in the Redouten ballrooms at the Hofburg. What followed was the largest and most dramatic firefighting operation in…
The Story Of The Kettenbrückengasse
The story of the Kettenbrückengasse
Perhaps many of you are familiar with the Kettenbrückengasse metro station. This is the one that stops right next to the famous Naschmarkt. And most likely, many also know the…
Czech Beer At The Swiss House
Czech Beer at the Schweizerhaus
A Viennese institution with a storied history. There is no shortage of such places in this city. One of the more popular ones amongst a diverse population of local residents…
Hermann Strandbar Donaukanal
The Donaukanal: from abandoned to beloved
Over the years, the Donaukanal has become one of the most popular summer hang-outs in the city. But before 2010, this part of Vienna was almost entirely devoid of any…
The Story Of May 1st
The story of May First
May First - a uniting day The story of the celebrations for May First dates back to the 19th century. It starts in the United States. The conditions for factory workers were…
Hernals Museum Wien
Visiting Vienna’s Bezirksmuseen
Vienna's Bezirksmuseen - museums full of Viennese history On Sunday March 17, the Bezirksmuseen (district museums) of Vienna will be open to the public from 10 am until 4 pm.…
The Story Of The Börsendorfersaal
The story of the Bösendorfersaal
It is likely that most of our readers have passed by the Hochhaus Herrengasse. Perhaps you did not make it to the lobby of the building. There, you will find…
The Story Of Jungmann & Neffe
The story of Jungmann & Neffe
In several of our stories we have told you about businesses that have survived the 20th century. The mere fact that these businesses made it through this period must be…
Praterstrasse 27 Wien
Zum grünen Jäger
Walking along Praterstrasse, you might come along a rather ordinary building by Viennese standards. The house in question is located at Praterstrasse 27. The cherubim reliefs lead you to believe…
The Story Of The Setagayapark
The story of the Setagayapark
The time of the cherry blossom is one of the highlights in the Japanese calendar and marks the beginning of spring. To celebrate this special time of the year, we…
The Story Of The Neue Burg
The story of the Neue Burg
Vienna's Neue Burg - a landmark you can not miss on your explorings! The Neue Burg… it does not matter from which direction you come to the Heldenplatz, the Neue…
Reichsbruecke Wien Secret Vienna
The crash of the Reichsbrücke
As spring arrives, people start heading out towards the Danube and other leisure areas in the city. They traveling by car across one of the many bridges spanning the land…
Vienna’s Earthly Angel Fountain
Vienna’s Engelbrunnen
Not long ago we showed you the Schutzengelbrunnen (Guardian Angel Fountain). Not far from it is a second fountain with a very similar name, Engelbrunnen. Engel means Angel in German.…
The Story Of Theophil Hansen In Vienna
The story of Theophil Hansen in Vienna
Many famous architects have left their mark in Vienna. Fischer von Erlach (father and son), the inseparable duo August Sicard von Sicardsburg & Eduard van der Nüll. Or Otto Wagner,…
The Story Of Knize Vienna Secret Vienna
The story of Knize
Some time ago we told you the story of the famous Viennese shoemaker Scheer. Now we turn our sartorial curiosity towards Knize. Vienna’s arguably most renowned men outfitter. Kniže was…
Theater Kabarett Simplicissimus
Wiener schmäh
It’s well-known that the Viennese have a particular and biting sense of humor. Elevating a sarcastic wit to a coffeehouse art form known as ‘wiener schmäh’. Alongside this Vienna has…
The Story Of The Burgtheater
The story of the Burgtheater
The actor Terrence Mann once famously said that “movies make you famous; television makes you rich; but theatre will make you good”. And if you are an actor in Vienna…
Burgplatz Hofburg Vienna Secret Vienna
Live like a king in the Hofburg
Did you know that you can live in the Hofburg or Schönbrunn? These are some of the most famous addresses in Vienna, but they are not only for the royals…
A. E. Köchert Vienna Secret Vienna
The story of the Jewelry A. E. Köchert
Hoher Markt 15. Perhaps not everyone has noticed this address as the house next to it, the Pâtisserie Oberlaa, is the famous one. It was the year 1814 when the…
The Difficult Life Of Countess Sophie Chotek
The difficult life of Countess Sophie Chotek
Many people are familiar with the story of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. He had been heir to the Habsburg throne. But perhaps sometimes it is forgotten that he…
Don’t Fall In Love At The Copa, Copa Cagrana
Don’t fall in love at the Copa, Copa Cagrana
As winter wears on, many of us may start to dream of the blue waters. Maybe about white sand beaches of less land-locked countries than Austria. Vienna has its own…
The Secrets Of Katharina Schratt
The secrets of Katharina Schratt
We don’t know how many women were important in the life of the Emperor Franz Joseph. But there are at least two ladies to highlight. His wife Elisabeth and Katharina…
Fuchs Villa Villa Wagner
An Artistic Villa- Fuchs Villa
Driving into or out of Vienna in the direction of Hütteldorf, you may come across an impressive aquamarine-accented villa. It stands in relative isolation at the edges of the Vienna…
On The Line, And Other Euphemisms For Prostitution In Vienna
On the line, and other euphemisms for prostitution in Vienna
They say its the oldest profession in the world, and in Vienna it has quite a history. On the whole, prostitution has been widely tolerated if not always embraced in…
The Brunnnenmarkt
The Brunnnenmarkt
In the 16th district of Vienna – between Thaliastraße and Ottakringerstraße – you will find the longest street market in Vienna. It is at the same time one of the…
Schubert And The Three Girls’ House
Schubert and the Dreimäderlhaus
The Dreimäderlhaus Standing small and resolute next to its towering neighbor on the Mölker Bastei, the Dreimäderlhaus (3 Girls’ House) is a gem from the waning days of Josephine Classicism.…
The Palmenhaus Schönbrunn
The Palmenhaus Schönbrunn
When the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn opened its’ doors in 1882 it was one of a kind. Being the largest in the world. Today it remains in the top three worldwide while…
The Story Of Franz Wertheim
The story of Franz Wertheim
Have you ever heard of Franz Wertheim? Perhaps a name that few people are familiar with but he was famous a long time ago. Born in Krems in 1814, he…
The First Christmas Tree In Vienna
Fanny Arnstein
Fanny Arnstein and the first Christmas Tree in Vienna It is December and, as part of the tradition, presents are waiting under the Christmas tree. Do you know how the…
Franz Joseph’s Christmas Present
Franz Joseph’s Christmas present
Today is Christmas day. Following the tradition, perhaps most of you have received and given presents to friends, relatives, and many others. But on this day in 1857, one man…
Ferstel Passage Secret Vienna
The Ferstel Passage
The Palais Ferstel is one among many in Vienna that is rather unassuming. You may have walked past the Ferstel Passage many times without recognizing that it is there. That’s…
Amalienburg Hofburg Wien Secret Vienna
Amalienburg in the Hofburg
The Hofburg has a long history. Every building that is part of it has a particular story. One of the buildings that is part of what we call the Hofburg…
Kahlenberg Vienna Secret Vienna
Hand-me-down Kahlenberg
Rising gently to the north of the city, neither the Kahlenberg nor the Leopoldsberg can really be called mountains. Despite the presence of the word ‘berg’ in their names. Perhaps…
Opera Toilet Vienna
The “Opera Toilet”
As a local or visitor, it is likely you have seen it (or heard it). It is located at one of the busiest pedestrian underpasses of the city. Next to…
The Minoritenkirche Vienna
The Mismatched Harmony of the Minoritenkirche
The Minoritenkirche - a spot one shouldn't miss out on If you look up while walking the streets of Vienna, there are many wonders and oddities to discover. On nearly…
The Houses Of “generali” Vienna
The Houses of “Generali”
Generali - more than just a company name It is likely that many people have heard about the Italian insurance company Generali. The company was established in Trieste in 1831…
Nike At The Austrian Parliament
Nike at the Austrian Parliament
The Renovation of the Austrian Parliament Built in 1874-1883 by the architect Teophil Hansen, the Austrian parliament is being refurbished. This project is expected to last until 2021. During this…
Café Weidinger Vienna
Café Weidinger Vienna
There are dozens of classic coffee houses in Vienna, which are worth a visit. Probably, the most shabby, but at the same time the most charming among them, is for…
Financing The Livestock Market
Financing the livestock market – St. Marx
Some weeks ago we told you about the animal market at St. Marx. Such a large market naturally also meant that quite large sums of money regularly changed hands as…
Winter time in the Albertina museum
Albertina Exhibitions to take in When we went to visit Albertina a couple of days ago, we expected to have a relaxing, quiet museum visit with no major surprises. But…
Vienna’s Silent Jewel The Breitenseer Lichtspiele
Vienna’s Silent Jewel: The Breitenseer Lichtspiele
For cinephiles and lovers of tradition, Vienna has lots to offer. One of its most underrated cinematic jewels has to be the Breitenseer Lichtspiele. Billed as the world’s oldest continuously…
The Brick 5 Vienna
The Brick 5 in Vienna
The Brick 5 is famous as an urban space with a cool café and hip events. What not many people know is that the space has a long history of…
Vlad Dracul Dracula Vienna Secret Vienna
The story of Vlad Dracul
Vlad Dracul - the real Dracula? Count Dracula fired so strongly people’s imagination that for many it is difficult now to separate him from Vlad Dracul. He was the ruler…
The Story Of The Virgilkapelle Vienna
The story of the Virgilkapelle
In many cities one can find some places that were forgotten or lost for a long time only to be found again at some point. One such example in Vienna…
The Imperial And Royal Library In Vienna
The Imperial and Royal Library of Vienna
The Imperial and Royal Library at the Josefplatz is a well-known museum. Not only because it is located in a well frequented street, but also because of its beautiful interior.…
The Story Of The Wuk Vienna
The story of the WUK
From bike flea markets and repair stations to concerts and general nightlife. The WUK has become a much-loved and indelible part of the Viennese landscape. Sadly, it wasn’t always so,…
Donnerbrunnen Vienna
The journeys of the Donnerbrunnen
Some time ago, we told you the story of the Donnerbrunnen: The fountain located in the Neuer Markt that features a partially nude reclining statue of Providentia surrounded by allegorical…
The Dc Tower
The DC Tower- Vienna’s skyscraper
Vienna's DC Tower, towering over the city When walking around Vienna, it’s always a good idea to look up. To admire the beautiful building facades that are so easily overlooked.…
Caspar Zumbusch Statue Vienna
The story of the “Famous” Caspar Zumbusch
Caspar Zumbusch - an artist that helped shape the city Have you ever heard of Caspar Zumbusch? Not really a household name, but kind of a big deal. He was…
Artemisia Gentileschi
Artemisia Gentileschi
400 years ago, the Baroque painter Artemisia Gentileschi put everything at risk. She wrote history for being among the first women to express experiences with sexual violence through art. The…
Alte Feldapotheke
The top 5 oldest pharmacies in Vienna
Pharmacies. Nothing special about them until we need them. In 2017, the city had 326 of them and some of these pharmacies have beautiful interior and exterior designs, excellent service,…
Take A Stroll At The Reumannhof
Take a stroll at the Reumannhof
Gazing out the window on an afternoon ride on the #6 tram, depending on which side you are sitting on, you may slowly roll past a large and impressive social…
The Vorwärts House
The Vorwärts House
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…
Kugelmugel Vienna
The Republic of “Kugelmugel”
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…
The Lost Home Of The Boulevard Theater
The lost home of the Boulevard Theater
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…
The Story Of The Palais Fürstenberg
The story of the Palais Fürstenberg
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…
The Story Of The Reaktor
The story of the REAKTOR
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…
The Remains Of Vienna’s Central Livestock Market
The Remains of Vienna’s Central Livestock Market
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…
The Story Of The Mölkerbastei
The story of the Mölkerbastei
In the past we have written stories about the Albertina and the Coburg Palais and have mentioned that these are two of the three elevated spots that are left from…
The Batthyánypalais Vienna
The story of the Batthyánypalais
Some days ago, your SV explorer came across a beautiful portal in the city center. This portal is part of the Batthyánypalais and is located at Bankgasse 2 (the Palais…
Markuslöwe
The story of the Markuslöwe
If you have been in Vienna long enough you will definitely remember the “Südbahnhof” (Vienna’s south train station). The original Südbahnhof was built in 1859-1873, was damaged in WWII, and…
Kärntnerstraße 16 Wien
The story of Kärntnerstraße 16
Walking along the Kärntnerstraße could be a difficult endeavor as it is usually very crowded. And because of this perhaps one does not have the chance to admire the nice…
The Story Of The Zacherlhaus
The story of the Zacherlhaus
The city center is home to several types of architecture and there are some buildings that are more visible than others either because of their beauty or their peculiar architecture.…
Franziskanerkirche
The Organ of the Franziskanerkirche
Franziskanerkirche (or Franciscan Church of Vienna) is one of the several hidden gems of Vienna’s first district. Located in a small, beautiful Italianesque square in the medieval core of the…
Patrick Leigh Fermor Secret Vienna
1930s Vienna through the eyes of a gifted traveller
Vienna has always been a city rich in visitors and many of them wrote down their memories in journals, letters or books. If one wants to get a feeling of…
The Rise And Demise Of The Zaha Hadid House
The rise and demise of the Zaha Hadid House
Zaha Hadid came to be one of the world’s most famous architects, but it took her many years to get a project built, let alone to receive acclaim and recognition…
Double Headed Eagle
The long history of the double-headed eagle
Eagles are common and popular symbols of power – considered the “kings of the sky”, ruling families have long appropriated the symbolism of the free and mighty eagle as a…
Schloss Neugebäude
The story of the Schloss Neugebäude
How old is old? Definitely age is relative. Why would you call something dating back centuries “new”? The name of the “Neuer Markt”, for example, dates back to the 13th…
Puber Vienna Secret Vienna
Who is Puber?
If you were around in Vienna in 2013, you surely remember Puber – he wrote his name all over Vienna, spraying hundreds of tags onto just as many walls and…
A Very Special Fencing
A very special fencing
Summer time is construction, demolition, and refurbishment time. If you are in Vienna, you may have noticed that almost no stone remains unturned in summer, as it is the best…
Wiener Riesenrad Prater Vienna
Wiener Riesenrad – The story of a Viennese symbol
One story tells that sometime during World War II a German official took his wife and a couple of friends on a trip to Vienna. Pleasantly surprised by the relative…
The Story Of The Schweizerhof Vienna
The story of the Schweizerhof
The Hofburg. Most visitors and locals have walked along it and through it: the former Royal and Imperial Library, the “Leopoldinischer Trakt”, the “Michaelertrakt”, and the many other buildings and…
The Architects Of The Vienna Opera
The Architects of the Vienna Opera
We don’t have any statistical proof, but we believe that 99.9% of people that have visited Vienna have seen the building of the Vienna Opera. It is hard to miss…
Denzel – The First Austrian Car
Denzel – the first Austrian car
At the end of World War II, everything was gloom and doom in Vienna, as we wrote in a previous post. Or almost everything. Wolfgang W. Denzel, a racing driver…
Habsburg Kronländer Wien
Servus and the long reach of Habsburg history
If you have lived in Vienna long enough, you may have noticed that there is not shortage of words or expressions that are used to say hello and goodbye. These…
The Story Of The Josefsplatz
The story of the Josefsplatz
Have you ever wondered who is the gentleman sitting on the horse in front of the former Royal Library? That is Joseph II, son of Maria Theresia, and ruler of…
Michaelerplatz Vienna Altes Burgtheater
The story of the Altes Burgtheater
Yesterday we asked you to identify one building in a picture. It did not take long for someone to win the quiz! The building in question was the “Altes Burgtheater”.…
Urania Vienna Secret Vienna
Urania, a muse for the stars
The Donaukanal is one of the most popular places to hang out in Vienna once the weather starts getting warmer, and one of the most distinctive buildings on the canal…
Morzinplatz Wien Secret Vienna
Mark Twain and Satan have a conversation in Vienna
If death had a residence in Vienna, Morzinplatz could be just as good an address as any. And not because in Latin ‘mori’ means ‘to die’ and as a consequence…
Tuchlauben Fountain Vienna
The Cloth Arches of Tuchlauben
Most of you have probably been to Tuchlauben, if for nothing more than some good ice cream. But do you know what a Tuchlaube actually is? The literal meaning of…
Yppenplatz Vienna
The military history of the Yppenviertel
As the days get warmer and people look for a spot in the sun, a popular place to go is Yppenplatz, which has become a hipster heaven of sorts. But…
Viktor Frankl Vienna
Viktor Frankl’s search for meaning in Vienna’s second district
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”…
Donaukanal Wien
Donaukanal then and now
As soon as temperatures in Vienna make drinking outside possible, the Donaukanal floods with life. The sport lovers who keep the place alive throughout the year suddenly find themselves drowned…
The Spanish Flu From America
The Spanish Flu from America
This year it is exactly 100 years since the great Spanish Influenza epidemic of 1918, which killed some 25 million people worldwide – including around 20,000 in Austria. Although it…
Schönbrunner Gelb
“I want Schönbrunner Gelb!”
As you walk around Vienna, you may notice a disproportionately large number of buildings painted in a yellowish hue. Colors have long been used as a means to symbolization and…
Im Werd Wien
The Watery Past of “Im Werd”
After we told you last week what is a Tabor and where Taborstrasse comes from, we come back today to 2nd district to unearth more of its history. Today’s street…
Street Scales And The Nature Of Shame
Street Scales and the Nature of Shame
One thing you may notice when strolling around Vienna are street scales scattered here and there, offering to give you a very public weigh-in for a bargain price of 20…
The Gasman Cometh
The Gasman Cometh
Although we hardly give it a second thought today, providing adequate street lighting in a city like Vienna has historically been a considerable effort – to the extent that street…
The Saliera Vienna Khm
The Saliera: A Very Special Tableware
On 11th of May 2003, a sound of broken glass cut through the thick, deafening quietness of a typical Viennese Sunday and it was registered on the radars of global…
U5 Ubahn Vienna
The mysteriously missing U5
If you often take the subway in Vienna, you may have noticed that there are only 5 lines, but they are named the U1, U2, U3, U4, and U6. So…
The Four Pillars At Tempelgasse
The Four Pillars at Tempelgasse
If chance or purpose take you close to the Nestroyplatz in Vienna’s second district, spare three minutes of your day and visit the Tempelgasse. It is a small, discreet street,…
Habsburg Jaw Secret Vienna
Royal Inbreeding and the Habsburg Jaw
The Habsburgs were known for many things, but their good looks was not one of them. If you take a walk through the Kunsthistorisches Museum, you may see many a…
Zum Schwarzen Kameel Vienna
The story of Zum Schwarzen Kameel
“Zum Schwarzen Kameel” has been located at the Bognergasse since its founder Johann Baptist Cameel opened the business in 1619 offering exotic foods and spices. The story how “Cameel” became…
Khm Vienna Gustav Klimt
Climbing Up to Klimt
It has been almost exactly 100 years since Gustav Klimt died on February 6, 1918, but he has remained one of Vienna’s most famous and talked about artists. Some of…
Das Wiener Aquarell
The Art of the Viennese Watercolour
Have you ever wondered how Vienna looked like in the “old days”? If yes, there is currently an exhibition at the Albertina where you will see old Vienna and much…
The Third Man Vienna
The Third Man and the Ruins of Vienna
The Third Man, a 1949 film noir directed by Carol Reed and written by Graham Greene is constantly rated as one of the best British movies ever made. Its plot…
Pestsaeule Vienna
The Plague, or the Viennese death
One of Europe’s most destructive and recurring problems in the pre-modern era was the plague, which most likely originated in China over 2,500 years ago before slowly making its way…
Secrets Of The U2 Ubahn Vienna
Secrets of Vienna’s U2 Ubahn
One of the things that makes Vienna such a highly livable city is the public transportation system. Although often taken for granted, even the seemingly mundane and pedestrian (ha!) Ubahn…
Vienna Metro U1
The smelly secrets of the U1
Recently we told you some of the secrets of the U2, but it is not the only underground line in Vienna with a story to tell. This time we will…
The Story Of Der Graben
The story of Der Graben
What is in a name? Very little, would argue Shakespeare’s Juliet. A rose, famously, would smell as sweet by any other name. Can the reverse be true though? Can a…
The Tu And The Cemetery Of The Condemned
The TU and the Cemetery of the Condemned
In a city with a history as long and colorful as Vienna’s, the past is never far from the present. This became clear this past Wednesday night, December 20th, when…
Dr. Mundy, A Fire, And Vienna’s First Ambulance Service
Dr. Mundy, a fire, and Vienna’s first ambulance service
Though perhaps no longer commonly known, Vienna was at the forefront of the most advanced medical knowledge in the world in the 19th century. Vienna at the time was known…
Ida Pfeiffer, The Woman Who Travelled The World
Ida Pfeiffer, the woman who travelled the world
As the year comes to an end and we look to the new year for new adventures, perhaps we can all take a page out of the book of Ida…
Polish Kings And Bagels The Battle Of Vienna
Polish Kings and Bagels: The Battle of Vienna
The first and second Turkish Siege of Vienna figure prominently into the history of the city as well as the Habsburg Empire as a whole, and particularly the defeat of…
The Story Of The Volksoper
The story of the Volksoper
When you google “Vienna” and “Opera” chances are that you will be directed to the famous State Opera. The one that was built on the grounds of the city walls…
The Controversies Of Dr. Karl Lueger
The Controversies of Dr. Karl Lueger
One of the more controversial figures in Viennese politics is Dr. Karl Lueger. He is credited with helping in some ways to transform Vienna into a modern city, but he…
Tennis, Politics, And Sachertorte In Vienna
Tennis, politics, and Sachertorte in Vienna
What do tennis, Austrian politics, and the Sachertorte have in common? The origins of what we know today as tennis go back to 12th century France and it was a…
Vienna Rotunda The Life And Death Of The World’s Largest Dome
Vienna Rotunda: The Life and Death of the World’s Largest Dome
The grounds near Prater Messe where the current WU is located may seem to have been a largely unused space before the WU was built a few years ago, but…
Vienna’s Giant Wheel
Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel
We recently told you about the Vienna World Fair of 1873, and the large Rotunda that was built in the Prater as part of this exhibition. While that building unfortunately…
From Smoking Alternative To Children’s Candy The Story Of Pez
From smoking alternative to children’s candy: the story of PEZ
When you think of Austrian products and companies, you might think of Red Bull, Manner wafers, or Doppelmayr ski lifts. However, there is another well-known company from your childhood that…
Chimney Sweep Vienna
The Luck of the Chimney Sweep
So, remember the large chimney sweep mentioned in the Hohe Brücke story? He can be found jutting out over the street with his ladder and flue brush at Wipplingerstrasse 21,…
Palais Equitable Vienna
Palais Equitable: An American Palace in Vienna
Have you ever wondered why one of the buildings near Stephansdom has a large American eagle on its facade, and a boat on the roof? Well, there is an explanation…
Jugendstil Jewel Otto Wagner’s Postsparkasse Building
Jugendstil Jewel: Otto Wagner’s Postsparkasse Building
One of the most impressive and imposing buildings in the 1st district is the Otto Wagner-designed Österreichische Postsparkasse (Austrian Postal Savings Bank) building. It was opened in 1906 and represents not only…
The Story Of The Freyung
The story of the Freyung
The Freyung is a well-known area of the city with a long history and a peculiar name. It is in this area that Irish monks settled down in the 12th century…
The Story Of The Schubladkastenhaus
The story of the Schubladkastenhaus
In the 18th century the face of the Freyung was changing. The old houses were being demolished and new ones were being built. And because this is Vienna and no building…
Rebuilding And Building Vienna Erich Boltenstern
Rebuilding and building Vienna: Erich Boltenstern
Have you heard of Erich Boltenstern? During WWII, Vienna was one of those cities that suffered from air raids. The Opera was hit on March 12, 1945 burning for two…
The Story Of The Grand Hotel
The story of the Grand Hotel
Do you know the Grand Hotel on Vienna’s Ringstraße? The hotel was one of the many buildings that populated the area where the city walls once stood. The owner of…
The Story Of Richard Löwenherz
The story of Richard Löwenherz
UK royals have traditionally been welcome in Austria. The red carpet was rolled out for Charles and Camilla earlier this year, while Edward VII enjoyed hunting with Franz Joseph in…
The Story Of Neulerchenfeld
The story of Neulerchenfeld
We have mentioned several times that Vienna’s city center was surrounded by walls. Well, those were not the only walls that the city had. Kaiser Leopold I decided to add…
The Story Of The “hofapotheke”
The story of the “Hofapotheke”
The history of the Hofapotheke goes back to 1744 when Maria Theresia ordered the imperial court to buy the pharmacy “Zum goldenen Stern” (“to the golden star”). After the acquisition,…
The Story Of The Palais Strudelhof
The story of the Palais Strudelhof
Palais Strudelhof: Not quite as delicious as it sounds! Despite a name that recalls that most famous of Austrian pastries, the Palais Strudelhof sadly has nothing to do with strudel…
The City Walls At Schwedenplatz
The City Walls at Schwedenplatz
The Schwedenplatz metro station was built in 1978/79 and is the connection of the metro lines U1 and U4; a vital intersection in Vienna’s public transportation system. Part of Vienna’s…
The Story Of The Stubentor
The story of the Stubentor
At one end of the Wollzeile street in the city center you will find yourself at a metro station, namely Stubentor. Similar to the Schottentor, the “Tor” refers to one…
The story of the Haas Haus
Some time ago, we told you about the Loos Haus, “the house without eyebrows”, and the controversy that its simple façade led to. Well, roughly 120 years later another building faced…
Die Story Of The Wiener Börse
Die story of the Wiener Börse
Can you imagine Vienna during the construction of the Ringstraße? The whole area was a construction site for many years. Fortifications being demolished, buildings under construction everywhere, and plans for…
The Story Of The Heldenplatz
The story of the Heldenplatz
In 1847 Dominik Fernkorn crafted a little bronze statue depicting Archduke Carl – who defeated Napoleon at the battle of Aspern in 1809 – that he showcased in his studio.…
The Story Of The Burgtor Vienna
The story of the Burgtor
For many centuries, Vienna was surrounded by walls. Today, there are still some remnants of these fortifications and perhaps some of us are so used to some of them that…
The Water Fountains At The Michaelerplatz
The Water Fountains at the Michaelerplatz
Have you seen the sculptures on the top of the two water fountains at the Michaelerplatz? These fountains rest on both sides of what is known as the “Michaelertrakt”. The…
The Story Of The Bärenmühldurchgang
The story of the Bärenmühldurchgang
In Vienna’s fourth district there is a short passage that takes you from the Operngasse to the Naschmarkt area. This passage has the peculiar name of “Bärenmühldurchgang” (something like “Bear…
The Story Of The Lobmeyrhof
The story of the Lobmeyrhof
The 16th district of Vienna, also known as Ottakring, was established in 1890/1892 when the neighbourhoods Neulerchenfeld and Ottakring were united. The district’s architecture is a combination of small houses…
The Story Of The Cafe Griensteidl
The story of the Cafe Griensteidl
Karl Krauss and Arthur Schnitzler. Camillo Sitte and Stefan Zweig. Politicians, artists and musicians all did the same. And so did many others: they all were there. During the 1848…
Elisabethbrücke Wien
The story of Sisi’s Bridge- the Elisabethbrücke
It is 20 April 1897 and you leave your flat in the Freihausviertel and go for a walk to the Karlskirche. Wanting some coffee, you head towards your favorite coffee…
I Got 99 Meters But The Rathausmann Ain’t One…
I got 99 meters but the Rathausmann ain’t one…
Have you ever walked past the Rathaus (City Hall) and wondered about the statue of the man on top of the central tower? While not particularly unusual, like most things…
