Vienna#Etymology
{{Short description|Capital and largest city of Austria}}
{{Redirect-distinguish-for|Wien|Vienne (disambiguation)|other uses|Vienna (disambiguation)|and|Wien (disambiguation)}}
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{{protection padlock|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Vienna
| native_name = {{native name|de|Wien}}
{{native name|bar|Wean}}
| settlement_type = Capital city, federal state and municipality
| image_skyline = {{multiple image
|total_width = 305
|border = infobox
|perrow = 1/2/3/2
|caption_align = center
|image1 = Vienna Austria Skyline Aerial, October 2024.jpg
|caption1 = Skyline of Vienna
|image2 = Schoenbrunn philharmoniker 2012.jpg
|caption2 = Schönbrunn Palace
|image3 = Wien - Stephansdom (1).JPG
|caption3 = Stephansdom
|image4 = 20180109 Vienna State Opera at blue hour 850 9387.jpg
|caption4 = Vienna State Opera
|image5 = Ayuntamiento de Viena - panoramio.jpg
|caption5 = Vienna City Hall
|image6 = Wien, Hofburg -- 2018 -- 3185.jpg
|caption6 = Neue Hofburg
|image7 = Karlskirche Vienna, September 2016.jpg
|caption7 = Karlskirche
|image8 = Palacio Belvedere, Viena, Austria, 2020-02-01, DD 93-95 HDR.jpg
|caption8 = Upper Belvedere
}}
| image_flag = Flag of Vienna.svg
| image_seal = Vienna seal 1926.svg{{!}}class=skin-invert
| image_shield = Wien 3 Wappen.svg
| shield_size = 80
| image_blank_emblem = Logo Stadt Wien 04-2019.svg
| blank_emblem_type = Logo
| blank_emblem_size =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Austria##Location within Europe
| pushpin_map = Austria#Europe
| pushpin_relief = 1
| image_map = Reliefkarte Wien.png
| map_alt = Map of Vienna
| map_caption = Map of Vienna
| image_map1 = Wien in Austria.svg
| map_caption1 = Vienna highlighted in Austria
| coordinates = {{Wikidatacoord|Q1741|type:adm1st_region:AT-9|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flagicon|Austria}} Austria
| subdivision_type1 = Federal state
| subdivision_name1 = Vienna
| governing_body = State and Municipality
| leader_name = Michael Ludwig
| leader_title = Mayor and Governor
| leader_party = SPÖ
| total_type = Total
| area_total_km2 = 414.78
| area_land_km2 = 395.25
| area_water_km2 = 19.39
| elevation_m = 151 (Lobau) – 542 (Hermannskogel)
| elevation_ft = 495–1778
| population_density_sq_mi = 13250
| population_as_of = 2025
| population = 2028499
| population_footnotes = {{cite web |title=Population 01.01.2025 |url=https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand/bevoelkerung-zu-jahres-/-quartalsanfang|access-date=1 April 2025|url-status=live }}
| population_density_km2 = 4,890.5/km²
| population_urban = 2223236 ("Kernzone"){{cite web |title=Bevölkerung Stadtregion Wien |website=stadtregionen.at |url=https://www.stadtregionen.at/wien/bev%C3%B6lkerung |language=de |access-date=3 December 2023 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203052809/https://www.stadtregionen.at/wien/bev%C3%B6lkerung |url-status=live }}
| population_metro = 2890577
| population_rank = 10th in Europe
1st in Austria
| population_blank2_title = Ethnicity{{cite web |url=https://www.bamproject.eu/cities/vienna |title=Vienna – BAM – Becoming a Minority |author=Becoming a Minority Project |work=bamproject.eu |access-date=21 August 2021 |archive-date=21 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821205648/https://www.bamproject.eu/cities/vienna |url-status=live }}
| population_blank2 = {{ubl|46% Austrian|54% Other}}
| population_demonyms = {{langx|de|link=no|Wiener (m), Wienerin (f)}}
Viennese
| iso_code = AT-9
| registration_plate = W
| postal_code_type = Postal code
| postal_code = {{unbulleted list|1xx0 (xx {{=}} district number)|1300 (airport)|1400 (United Nations)|other 1yyy (postal boxes){{cite web |url=https://www.post.at/geschaeftlich_werben_produkte_und_services_adressen_postlexikon.php |title=Postlexikon |publisher=Post AG |year=2018 |access-date=2 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201040554/https://www.post.at/geschaeftlich_werben_produkte_und_services_adressen_postlexikon.php |archive-date=1 December 2017 |url-status=dead }}}}
| timezone = CET
| utc_offset = +01:00
| timezone_DST = CEST
| utc_offset_DST = +02:00
| blank_name = Vehicle registration
| blank_info = W
| demographics_type1 = GDP
| demographics1_footnotes = {{cite web |title=Vienna in Figures 2024|url=https://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/viennainfigures-2024.pdf|access-date=17 December 2024}}
| demographics1_title1 = Total
| demographics1_info1 = €110.9 billion (2024)
| demographics1_title2 = Per capita
| demographics1_info2 = €56,600
| blank_name_sec1 = HDI (2022)
| blank_info_sec1 = 0.948{{Cite web |url=https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/AUT/?levels=1+4&years=2021&extrapolation=0 |department=Subnational HDI (v7.0) |title=Austria |website=Global Data Lab |publisher=Institute for Management Research, Radboud University |language=en |access-date=24 May 2024 |archive-date=24 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524212031/https://globaldatalab.org/shdi/table/shdi/AUT/?levels=1+4&years=2021&extrapolation=0 |url-status=live }}
{{color|green|very high}} · 1st of 9
| blank3_name = Seats in the Federal Council
| blank3_info = {{Composition bar|10|60|hex=#000}}
| blank_name_sec2 = GeoTLD
| blank_info_sec2 = .wien
| module = {{designation list
|embed = yes
|designation1 = WHS
|designation1_offname = Historic Centre of Vienna
|designation1_date = 2001 (25th session)
|designation1_type = Cultural
|designation1_criteria = ii, iv, vi
|designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1033 1033]
|designation1_free1name = Area
|designation1_free1value = 371 ha
|designation1_free2name = UNESCO Region
|designation1_free2value = Europe and North America
|designation1_free3name = Endangered
|designation1_free3value = {{start date|2017}}–present{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1684/ |title=Historic Centre of Vienna inscribed on List of World Heritage in Danger |first=UNESCO World Heritage |last=Centre |website=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=20 May 2019 |archive-date=3 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003182507/https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/1684// |url-status=live }}
}}
| website = {{URL|wien.gv.at}} {{in lang|de}}
}}
Vienna ({{IPAc-en|audio=En-us-Vienna.ogg|v|i|ˈ|ɛ|n|ə}} {{respell|vee|EN|ə}};{{cite dictionary |last=Wells |first=John C. |year=2008 |title=Longman Pronunciation Dictionary |edition=3rd |publisher=Longman |isbn=978-1-4058-8118-0 }}{{cite dictionary |last=Roach |first=Peter |year=2011 |title=Cambridge English Pronouncing Dictionary |edition=18th |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-15253-2 }} {{langx|de|link=no|Wien}} {{IPA|de|viːn||De-Wien.ogg}}; {{langx|bar|Wean|label=Austro-Bavarian}} {{IPA|bar|veɐ̯n|}}) is the capital, most populous city, and one of nine federal states of Austria. It is Austria's primate city, with just over two million inhabitants.{{cite web |url=https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand/bevoelkerung-zu-jahres-/-quartalsanfang |title=Bevölkerung zu Jahres-/Quartalsanfang |language=de |trans-title=Population at beginning of year/quarter |publisher=Statistik Austria |date=8 November 2023 |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=7 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230607224935/https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand/bevoelkerung-zu-jahres-/-quartalsanfang |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/menschen_und_gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand_und_veraenderung/bevoelkerung_zu_jahres-_quartalsanfang/023582.html |title=Bevölkerung zu Jahres-/Quartalsanfang |trans-title=Population at the beginning of the year/quarter |work=Statistik Austria |date=1 April 2022 |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-date=12 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612161754/http://www.statistik.at/web_de/statistiken/menschen_und_gesellschaft/bevoelkerung/bevoelkerungsstand_und_veraenderung/bevoelkerung_zu_jahres-_quartalsanfang/023582.html |url-status=live }} Its larger metropolitan area has a population of nearly 2.9 million,{{cite web |url=https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en |title=Population on 1 January by broad age group, sex and metropolitan regions |publisher=Eurostat |date=4 May 2022 |access-date=22 May 2022 |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124124910/https://appsso.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/nui/show.do?dataset=met_pjanaggr3&lang=en |url-status=live }} representing nearly one-third of the country's population. Vienna is the cultural, economic, and political center of the country, the fifth-largest city by population in the European Union, and the most-populous of the cities on the Danube River.
The city lies on the eastern edge of the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald), the northeasternmost foothills of the Alps, that separate Vienna from the more western parts of Austria, at the transition to the Pannonian Basin. It sits on the Danube, and is traversed by the highly regulated Wienfluss (Vienna River). Vienna is completely surrounded by Lower Austria, and lies around 50 km (31 mi) west of Slovakia and its capital Bratislava, 60 km (37 mi) northwest of Hungary, and 60 km (37 mi) south of Moravia (Czech Republic).
The once Celtic settlement of Vedunia was converted by the Romans into the castrum Vindobona (province of Pannonia) in the 1st century, and was elevated to a municipium with Roman city rights in 212. This was followed by a time in the sphere of influence of the Lombards and later the Pannonian Avars, when Slavs formed the majority of the region's population.{{efn|some Viennese boroughs have Slavic-derived names: Döbling, Lainz, Liesing, Währing}} From the 8th century on, the region was settled by the Baiuvarii. In 1155, Vienna became the seat of the Babenbergs, who ruled Austria from 976 to 1246. In 1221, Vienna was granted city rights. During the 16th century, the Habsburgs, who had succeeded the Babenbergs, established Vienna as the seat of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, a position it held until the empire's dissolution in 1806, with only a brief interruption. With the formation of the Austrian Empire in 1804, Vienna became the capital of it and all its successor states.
Throughout the modern era, Vienna has been among the largest German-speaking cities in the world. It was the largest in the 18th and 19th century, peaking at two million inhabitants before it was overtaken by Berlin at the beginning of the 20th century.{{cite news |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/12/29/98276500.pdf |title=Vienna after the war |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215021436/https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1918/12/29/98276500.pdf |archive-date=15 February 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=29 December 1918 }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.ots.at/touch/presseaussendung/OTS_20130720_OTS0012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130720222437/http://www.ots.at/touch/presseaussendung/OTS_20130720_OTS0012 |title=Wien nun zweitgrößte deutschsprachige Stadt |website=touch.ots.at |access-date=21 July 2013 |archive-date=20 July 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/ |title=Ergebnisse Zensus 2011 |publisher=Statistische Ämter des Bundes und der Länder |date=31 May 2013 |access-date=31 May 2013 |language=de |archive-date=5 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605031517/https://ergebnisse.zensus2011.de/ |url-status=dead }} Vienna is host to many major international organizations, including the United Nations, OPEC and the OSCE. In 2001, the city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In July 2017, it was moved to the list of World Heritage in Danger.{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=1033 |title=Historic Centre of Vienna |publisher=UNESCO |access-date=12 July 2017 |archive-date=10 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610034833/https://whc.unesco.org/pg.cfm?cid=31&id_site=1033 |url-status=live }}
Vienna has been called the "City of Music"{{cite web |url=http://www.wien.info/en/music-stage-shows/city-of-music |title=Vienna – the City of Music – Vienna – Now or Never |publisher=Wien.info |access-date=19 May 2012 |archive-date=12 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512202540/http://www.wien.info/en/music-stage-shows/city-of-music |url-status=live }} due to its musical legacy, as many famous classical musicians such as Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Haydn, Mahler, Mozart, Schoenberg, Schubert, Johann Strauss I and Johann Strauss II lived and worked there.{{Cite web |title=Vienna's musical heritage - Mozart, Strauss, Haydn and Schubert |url=https://www.musicofvienna.com/musical-heritage.htm |access-date=17 March 2024 |website=Music of Vienna |language=en |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225203402/https://www.musicofvienna.com/musical-heritage.htm |url-status=live }} It played a pivotal role as a leading European music center, from the age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. Vienna was home to the world's first psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud.BBC Documentary – Vienna – The City of Dreams The historic center of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque palaces and gardens, and the late-19th-century Ringstraße, which is lined with grand buildings, monuments, and parks.{{cite web |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1033 |title=Historic Centre of Vienna |work=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |access-date=19 May 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111102143945/http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1033 |url-status=live }}
In 2024, Vienna retained its position as most livable city per the Economist Intelligence Unit, and has spent every year since 2015 in the top two places, bar 2021 due to the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Etymology
{{See also|Names of European cities in different languages: U–Z#V|Vindobona}}
The place is mentioned as Οϋι[νδ]όβονα (Oui[nd]obona) in the 2nd century AD (Ptolemy, Geography, II, 14, 3); Vindobona in the 3rd century (Itinerarium Antonini Augusti 233, 8); Vindobona in the 4th century ({{lang|la|Tabula Peutingeriana}}, V, 1); Vindomana ab. 400 ({{lang|la|Notitia Dignitatum}}, 145, 16); Vindomina, Vendomina in the 6th century (Jordanes, De origine actibusque Getarum, 50, 264).
The English name Vienna is borrowed from the homonymous Italian name. The German name {{lang|de|Wien}} comes from the name of the river Wien, mentioned ad UUeniam in 881 (Wenia- in modern writing).{{cite book |first=Peter |last=Csendes |contribution=Das Werden Wiens – Die siedlungsgeschichtlichen Grundlagen |language=de |editor1-last=Csendes |editor1-first=Peter |editor2-first=F. |editor2-last=Oppl |title=Wien – Geschichte einer Stadt von den Anfängen zur Ersten Türkenbelagerung |publisher=Böhlau |location=Vienna |year=2001 |pages=55–94, here p. 57 }}{{cite book |first=Peter |last=Pleyel |title=Das römische Österreich |publisher=Pichler |location=Vienna |year=2002 |isbn=3-85431-270-9 |page=83 }}{{cite book |editor-first1=Martin |editor-last1=Mosser |editor-first2=Karin |editor-last2=Fischer-Ausserer |title=Judenplatz. Die Kasernen des römischen Legionslagers |language=de |series=Wien Archäologisch |volume=5 |publisher=Stadtarchäologie Wien |location=Vienna |year=2008 |page=11 }}
The name of the Roman settlement on the same emplacement is of Celtic extraction {{lang|la|Vindobona}}, probably meaning "white village, white settlement" from Celtic roots, {{lang|cel|vindo-}}, meaning "white" (Old Irish {{lang|sga|find}} "white", Welsh {{lang|cy|gwyn}} / {{lang|cy|gwenn}}, Old Breton {{lang|br|guinn}} "white, bright" > Breton {{lang|br|gwenn}} "white"), and {{lang|cel|-bona}} "foundation, settlement, village",{{cite web |title=Vienna |url=http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Vienna&allowed_in_frame=0 |work=Online Etymology Dictionary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922014129/http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=Vienna&allowed_in_frame=0 |archive-date=22 September 2017 |access-date=18 May 2016 }}Xavier Delamarre, Dictionnaire de la langue gauloise : une approche linguistique du vieux celtique continental, éditions Errance, Paris, 2003, p. 82-319-320 related to Old Irish bun "base, foundation" and Welsh bon, same meaning. The Celtic word {{lang|cel|vindos}} may reflect a widespread prehistorical cult of Vindos, a Celtic deity who survives in Irish mythology as the warrior and seer Fionn mac Cumhaill.{{Cite journal |jstor=20522282 |title=Fianaigecht in the Pre-Norman Period |last1=Mac Cana |first1=Proinsias |journal=Béaloideas |year=1986 |volume=54/55 |pages=75–99 [76] |doi=10.2307/20522282 |issn=0332-270X }}{{cite journal |last1=FitzPatrick |first1=Elizabeth |last2=Hennessy |first2=Ronan |date=2017 |title=Finn's Seat: topographies of power and royal marchlands of Gaelic polities in medieval Ireland |journal=Landscape History |volume=38 |issue=2 |page=31 |doi=10.1080/01433768.2017.1394062 |hdl=10379/7087 |hdl-access=free }} A variant of this Celtic name could be preserved in the Czech, Slovak, Polish and Ukrainian names of the city ({{lang|cs|Vídeň}}, {{lang|sk|Viedeň}}, {{lang|pl|Wiedeń}} and {{lang|uk|Відень}} respectively) and in that of the city's district Wieden.{{cite book |first=Johanna |last=Haberl |title=Favianis, Vindobona und Wien, eine archäologisch-historische Illustration zur Vita S. Severini des Eugippius |language=de |publisher=Brill Academic |location=Leiden |year=1976 |isbn=90-04-04548-1 |page=125 }}
The name of the city in Hungarian ({{lang|hu|Bécs}}), Serbo-Croatian ({{lang-hbs-Latn-Cyrl|Beč|Беч|label=none}}) and Ottoman Turkish ({{lang|ota|بچ|}}, Beç) has a different, probably Slavonic origin, and originally referred to an Avar fort in the area.{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Vienna |volume=28 |page=52 }} Slovene speakers call the city {{lang|sl|Dunaj}}, which in other Central European Slavic languages means the river Danube, on which the city stands.
History
{{Main|History of Vienna}}
{{For timeline}}
{{Quote box
| title = Historical affiliations
| quote = 16px Duchy of Austria 1156–1453
24px Archduchy of Austria 1453–1485
24px Kingdom of Hungary 1485–1490
24px Archduchy of Austria 1490–1804
{{flag|Austrian Empire}} 1804–1867
{{flag|Austria-Hungary}} 1867–1918
{{flag|First Austrian Republic}} 1919–1934
{{flag|Federal State of Austria}} 1934–1938
{{flag|Nazi Germany}} 1938–1945
24px Allied-occupied Austria 1945–1955
{{flagcountry|Austria}} 1955–present
| align = right
| width = 26em
| fontsize = 90%
| bgcolor = #B0C4DE
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= Roman period=
{{Main|Vindobona}}
In the 1st century, the Romans set up the military camp of Vindobona in Pannonia on the site of today's Vienna city center near the Danube with an adjoining civilian town to secure the borders of the Roman Empire. Construction of the legionary camp began around 97 AD. At its peak, Vindobona had a population of around 15,000 people. It was a part of a trade and communications network across the Empire. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius may have died here in 180 AD during a campaign against the Marcomanni.
After a Germanic invasion in the second century the city was rebuilt. It served as a seat of the Roman government until the fifth century, when the population fled due to the Huns invasion of Pannonia. The city was abandoned for several centuries.
Evidence of the Romans in the city is plentiful. Remains of the military camp have been found under the city, as well as fragments of the canal system and figurines.
= Middle Ages =
Close ties with other Celtic peoples continued through the ages. The Irish monk Saint Colman (or Koloman, Irish Colmán, derived from colm "dove") is buried in Melk Abbey and Saint Fergil (Virgil the Geometer) served as Bishop of Salzburg for forty years. Irish Benedictines founded twelfth-century monastic settlements; evidence of these ties persists in the form of Vienna's great Schottenstift monastery (Scots Abbey), once home to many Irish monks.
In 976, Leopold I of Babenberg became count of the Eastern March, a district centered on the Danube on the eastern frontier of Bavaria. This initial district grew into the duchy of Austria. Each succeeding Babenberg ruler expanded the march east along the Danube, eventually encompassing Vienna and the lands immediately east. In 1155, Henry II, Duke of Austria moved the Babenberg family residence with the founding of the Schottenstift from Klosterneuburg in Lower Austria to Vienna.{{cite book |last1=Loinig |first1=Elisabeth |last2=Eminger |first2=Stefan |last3=Weigl |first3=Andreas |title=Wien und Niederösterreich - eine untrennbare Beziehung? |publisher=Verlag NÖ Institut für Landeskunde |publication-place=St. Pölten |date=2017 |isbn=978-3-903127-07-4 |language=de |page= }} From that time, Vienna remained the center of the Babenberg dynasty.{{cite book |last=Lingelbach |first=William E. |title=The History of Nations: Austria-Hungary |publisher=P. F. Collier & Son Company |location=New York |year=1913 |pages=91–92 |asin=B000L3E368 }} Hungary occupied the city between 1485 and 1490.File:Nuremberg chronicles f 098v99r 1.png, 1493]]Vienna became at the turn to the 16th century the seat of the Aulic Council{{Cite book |last1=Pihlajamäki |first1=Heikki |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dg5jDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT762 |title=The Oxford Handbook of European Legal History |last2=Dubber |first2=Markus D. |last3=Godfrey |first3=Mark |date=4 July 2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-1910-8838-4 |page=762 |access-date=6 February 2022 |language=en |archive-date=30 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930055612/https://books.google.com/books?id=dg5jDwAAQBAJ&pg=PT762#v=onepage&q&f=false |url-status=live }} and subsequently later in the 16th century of the Habsburg emperors of the Holy Roman Empire with an interruption between at the turn to the 17th century until 1806, becoming an important center in the empire.{{Cite book |last=Schmitt |first=Oliver Jens |title=Herrschaft und Politik in Südosteuropa von 1300 bis 1800 |date=5 July 2021 |publisher=Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co KG |isbn=978-3-1107-4443-9 |page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=mV48EAAAQBAJ&pg=PT659 659] |language=de }}
In the 16th and 17th centuries, Christian forces twice stopped Ottoman armies outside Vienna, in the 1529 siege of Vienna and the 1683 Battle of Vienna. The Great Plague of Vienna ravaged the city in 1679, killing nearly a third of its population.{{cite book |last=Spielman |first=John Philip |title=The city & the crown: Vienna and the imperial court, 1600–1740 |publisher=Purdue University Press |location=West Lafayette, Indiana |year=1993 |isbn=1-55753-021-1 |page=141 }}
= Austrian Empire and early 20th century=
{{Further|Austrian Empire}}
In 1804, during the Napoleonic Wars, Vienna became the capital of the newly formed Austrian Empire. The city continued to play a major role in European and world politics, including hosting the Congress of Vienna in 1814–15. The city also saw major uprisings against Habsburg rule in 1848, which were suppressed. After the Austro-Hungarian Compromise of 1867, Vienna remained the capital of what became the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city functioned as a center of classical music, for which the title of the First Viennese School (Haydn/Mozart/Beethoven) is sometimes applied.File:Rudolf von Alt-Opera Crossroads in Vienna.jpgDuring the latter half of the 19th century, Vienna developed what had previously been the bastions and glacis into the Ringstraße, a new boulevard surrounding the historical town and a major prestige project. Former suburbs were incorporated, and the city of Vienna grew dramatically. In 1918, after World War I, Vienna became the capital of the Republic of German-Austria, and then in 1919 of the First Republic of Austria.
From the late-19th century to 1938, the city remained a center of high culture and of modernism. A world capital of music, Vienna played host to composers such as Johannes Brahms, Anton Bruckner, Gustav Mahler, and Richard Strauss.
The city's cultural contributions in the first half of the 20th century included, among many, the Vienna Secession movement in art, the Second Viennese School, the architecture of Adolf Loos, the philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein, and the Vienna Circle.
=Red Vienna=
File:Karl Marx Hof.jpg, a Gemeindebau building and a symbol of Red Vienna]]
{{Main|Red Vienna}}
The city of Vienna became the center of socialist politics from 1919 to 1934, a period referred to as Red Vienna (Das rote Wien). After a new breed of socialist politicians won the local elections they engaged in a brief but ambitious municipal experiment.{{cite book |author1=Richard Cockett |title=Vienna: How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2023 |page=71 |isbn=9780300266535 }} Social democrats had won an absolute majority in the May 1919 municipal election and commanded the city council with 100 of the 165 seats. Jakob Reumann was appointed by the city council as city mayor.{{cite book |author1=Richard Cockett |title=Vienna: How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2023 |page=77 |isbn=9780300266535 }} The theoretical foundations of so-called Austromarxism were established by Otto Bauer, Karl Renner, and Max Adler.{{cite book |author1=Richard Cockett |title=Vienna: How the City of Ideas Created the Modern World |publisher=Yale University Press |year=2023 |page=78 |isbn=9780300266535 }}
Red Vienna is perhaps most well known for its Gemeindebauten, public housing buildings. Between 1925 and 1934, over 60,000 new apartments were built in the Gemeindebauten. Apartments were assigned on the basis of a point system favoring families and less affluent citizens.{{Cite web |title=Wiener Wohnen - Gemeindewohnungen |url=https://www.wienerwohnen.at/wiener-gemeindebau/geschichte.html |access-date=12 September 2024 |website=wiener-wohnen.at |language=de |archive-date=12 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240912115136/https://www.wienerwohnen.at/wiener-gemeindebau/geschichte.html |url-status=live }}
= July Revolt and Civil War =
File:Gerlach justizpalastbrand 2.jpg
In July 1927, after three nationalist far-right paramilitary members were acquitted of the killing of two social democratic Republikanischer Schutzbund members, a riot broke out in the city. The protestors, enraged by the decision, set the Palace of Justice ablaze. The police attempted to end the revolt with force and killed at least 84 protestors, with 5 policemen also dying.{{Cite web |title=30 January 1927 - prologue of a fateful day |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/history/commemoration/justice-palace.html |access-date=12 September 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=en |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718062420/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/history/commemoration/justice-palace.html |url-status=live }} In 1933, right-wing Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss dissolved the parliament, essentially letting him run the country as a dictatorship, banned the Communist Party and severely limited the influence of the Social Democratic Party. This led to a civil war between the right-wing government and socialist forces the following year, which started in Linz and quickly spread to Vienna. Socialist members of the Republikanischer Schutzbund barricaded themselves inside the housing estates and exchanged fire with the police and paramilitary groups. The fighting in Vienna ended after the Austrian Armed Forces shelled the Karl-Marx-Hof, a civilian housing estate, and the Schutzbund surrendered.{{Cite web |title=February 1934 - Austrians take up Arms |website=www.wien.gv.at |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/history/commemoration/february-1934.html |access-date=12 September 2024 |language=en |archive-date=30 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930055620/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/history/commemoration/february-1934.html |url-status=live }}
= Anschluss and World War II=
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1972-028-14, Anschluss Österreich.jpg Adolf Hitler as he rides in an open car in Vienna following the March 1938 annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany]]
{{Main|Anschluss}}
On 15 March 1938, three days after German troops had first entered Austria, Adolf Hitler arrived in Vienna. 200,000 Austrians greeted him at the Heldenplatz, where he held a speech from a balcony in the Neue Burg, in which he announced that Austria would be absorbed into Nazi Germany. The persecution of Jews started almost immediately, Viennese Jews were harassed and hounded, their homes and businesses plundered. Some were forced to scrub pro-independence slogans off the streets. This culminated in the Kristallnacht, a nationwide pogrom against the Jews carried out by the Schutzstaffel and the Sturmabteilung, with support of the Hitler Youth and German civilians. All synagogues and prayer houses in the city were destroyed, bar the Stadttempel, due to its proximity to residential buildings.{{cite web |last1=Erlanger |first1=Steven |title=Vienna Skewered as a Nazi-Era Pillager of Its Jews |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/07/world/vienna-skewered-as-a-nazi-era-pillager-of-its-jews.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=11 May 2017 |date=7 March 2002 |url-status=live |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702054818/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/03/07/world/vienna-skewered-as-a-nazi-era-pillager-of-its-jews.html }}{{cite web |title=Expulsion, Deportation to concentration camps and mass murder – History of the Jews in Vienna From racist mania to genocide |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture/jewishvienna/history/nationalsocialism.html |access-date=11 May 2017 |work=wien.gv.at |quote=The entry of Hitler's army into Austria in March 1938 triggered unprecedented suffering and hardship for Vienna's Jews. Grave acts of violence against the Jewish population began to proliferate. |archive-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320223715/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture/jewishvienna/history/nationalsocialism.html |url-status=live }} Vienna lost its status as a capital to Berlin, as Austria had ceased to exist. The few resistors in the city were arrested.
Adolf Eichmann held office in the expropriated Palais Rothschild and organized the expropriation and persecution of the Jews. Of the almost 200,000 Jews in Vienna, around 120,000 were driven to emigrate and around 65,000 were killed. After the end of the war, the Jewish population of Vienna was only about 5,000.{{Cite web |url=https://www.doew.at/erkennen/ausstellung/1938/die-verfolgung-der-oesterreichischen-juden |title=DÖW – Erkennen – Ausstellung – 1938 – Die Verfolgung der österreichischen Juden |website=www.doew.at |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706103854/https://www.doew.at/erkennen/ausstellung/1938/die-verfolgung-der-oesterreichischen-juden |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.xn--jdische-gemeinden-22b.de/index.php/gemeinden/u-z/2087-wien-oesterreich |title=Jüdische Gemeinde – Wien (Österreich) |website=www.xn—jdische-gemeinden-22b.de |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=10 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610035119/https://www.xn--jdische-gemeinden-22b.de/index.php/gemeinden/u-z/2087-wien-oesterreich |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture/jewishvienna/ |title=Jewish Vienna |website=www.wien.gv.at |access-date=11 May 2017 |archive-date=19 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220619120020/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture/jewishvienna/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.zeit.de/2018/11/nationalsozialismus-oesterreich-anschluss-antisemitismus-adolf-eichmann/komplettansicht |title=Hitlers willige Vasallen |newspaper=Die Zeit |date=12 March 2018 |access-date=3 February 2021 |archive-date=5 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505105703/https://www.zeit.de/2018/11/nationalsozialismus-oesterreich-anschluss-antisemitismus-adolf-eichmann/komplettansicht |url-status=live |last1=Riedl |first1=Joachim }}
File:Rachel whitereadwien holocaust mahnmal wien judenplatz.jpg.|left]]
In 1942 the city suffered its first air raid, carried out by the Soviet air force. Only after the Allies had taken Italy did the next raids commence. From 17 March 1944, 51 air raids were carried out in Vienna. Targets of the bombings were primarily the city's oil refineries. However, around a third of the city center was destroyed, and culturally important buildings such as the State Opera and the Burgtheater were burned, and the Albertina was heavily damaged. These air raids lasted until March 1945, just before the Soviet troops started the Vienna offensive.
The Red Army, who had previously marched through Hungary, first entered Vienna on 6 April. They first attacked the eastern and southern suburbs, before moving on to the western suburbs. By the 8th they had the center of the city surrounded. The following day the Soviets started with the infiltration of the city center. Fighting continued for a few more days until the Soviet Navy’s Danube Flotilla naval force arrived with reinforcements. The remaining defending soldiers surrendered that same day.
= Four-power Vienna=
File:Wien Besatzungszonen.png zones between 1945 and 1955 following World War II|left]]
{{further|Allied-occupied Austria}}
After the war, Vienna was part of Soviet-occupied Eastern Austria until September 1945. That month, Vienna was divided into sectors by the four powers: the US, the UK, France, and the Soviet Union and supervised by an Allied Commission. The four-power occupation of Vienna differed in one key respect from that of Berlin: the central area of the city, known as the first district, constituted an international zone in which the four powers alternated control on a monthly basis. The city was policed by the four powers on a day-to-day basis using the "four soldiers in a jeep" method, which had one soldier from each nation sitting together. The four powers all had separate headquarters, the Soviets in Palais Epstein next to the Parliament, the French in Hotel Kummer on Mariahilferstraße, the Americans in the National Bank, and the British in Schönnbrunn Palace. The division of the city was not comparable to that of Berlin. Although the borders between the sectors were marked, travel between them was freely possible.
During the ten years of the four-power occupation, Vienna was a hotbed for international espionage between the Western and Eastern blocs, which deeply distrusted each other. The city experienced an economic upturn due to the Marshall Plan.
The atmosphere of four-power Vienna is the background for Graham Greene's screenplay for the film The Third Man (1949). The film's theme music was composed and performed by Viennese musician Anton Karas using a zither. Later he adapted the screenplay as a novel and published it. Occupied Vienna is also depicted in the 1991 Philip Kerr novel, A German Requiem.
= Austrian State Treaty and subsequent sovereignty =
File:Graben, szemben a Pestisoszlop. Fortepan 58901.jpg in 1966]]
{{Main|Austrian State Treaty}}
The four-power control of Vienna lasted until the Austrian State Treaty was signed in May 1955 and came into force on 27 July 1955. By October, all soldiers had left the country. That year, after years of reconstruction and restoration, the State Opera and the Burgtheater, both on the Ringstraße reopened to the public.
In the Autumn of 1956, Vienna accepted many Hungarian refugees, who had fled Hungary after an attempted revolution. The city experienced another wave of refugees after the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia in 1968, as well as after the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1991.
In 1972 the construction of the Donauinsel and the excavation of the New Danube began. In the same decade, Austrian Chancellor Bruno Kreisky inaugurated the Vienna International Centre, a new area of the city created to host international institutions. Vienna has regained much of its former international stature by hosting international organisations, such as the United Nations.
Demographics
{{Historical populations
|1637|60,000
|1683|90,000
|1710|113,800
|1754|175,460
|1783|247,753
|1793|271,800
|1830|401,200
|1840|469,400
|1850|551,300
|1857|683,000
|1869|900,998
|1880|1,162,591
|1890|1,430,213
|1900|1,769,137
|1910|2,083,630
|33=1923|34=1,918,720|35=1934|36=1,935,881|37=1939|38=1,770,938|39=1951|40=1,616,125|41=1961|42=1,627,566|43=1971|44=1,619,885|45=1981|46=1,531,346|47=1991|48=1,539,848|49=2001|50=1,550,123|51=2011|52=1,714,227|53=2021|54=1,926,960|footnote=Source for 1869-2021:{{cite web |title=Historic Censuses - STATISTICS AUSTRIA |url=https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/population/population-stock/historic-censuses |publisher=Statistics Austria |access-date=2 August 2024 |archive-date=2 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240802182504/https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/population-and-society/population/population-stock/historic-censuses |url-status=live }}
|55=2025|56=2,028,399}}
class="wikitable floatright"
|+ Significant foreign resident groups{{cite report |title=Statistisches Jahrbuch der Stadt Wien 2024|trans-title=Statistical Yearbook of the City of Vienna 2024|url=https://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/jahrbuch.pdf#page=70 |page=70 |date=November 2024 |publisher=Stadt Wien (City of Vienna) }} | |
Country of birth||Population as of 1 January 2024 | |
---|---|
{{flag|Serbia}} | 88,279 |
{{flag|Turkey}} | 66,414 |
{{flag|Germany}} | 62,418 |
{{flag|Poland}} | 48,712 |
{{flag|Syria}} | 47,483 |
{{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} | 46,727 |
{{flag|Romania}} | 40,035 |
{{flag|Ukraine}} | 36,402 |
{{flag|Hungary}} | 25,048 |
{{flag|Russia}} | 22,941 |
{{flag|Afghanistan}} | 22,827 |
{{flag|Bulgaria}} | 20,563 |
Because of the industrialization and migration from other parts of the Empire, the population of Vienna increased sharply during its time as the capital of Austria-Hungary (1867–1918). In 1910, Vienna had more than two million inhabitants and was the third largest city in Europe after London and Paris.{{cite book |title=Frommer's Vienna & the Danube Valley |last=Porter |first=Darwin |author2=Prince, Danforth |year=2009 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |isbn=978-0-470-49488-2 |page=16 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b6jLTn7cN3oC&pg=PA16 |access-date=1 July 2015 |archive-date=30 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930055617/https://books.google.com/books?id=b6jLTn7cN3oC&pg=PA16 |url-status=live }} Around the start of the 20th century, Vienna was the city with the second-largest Czech population in the world (after Prague).{{cite web |url=http://www.wieninternational.at/en/node/3586 |title=Czech and Slovak roots in Vienna |publisher=Wieninternational.at |access-date=19 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221406/http://www.wieninternational.at/en/node/3586 |archive-date=12 May 2014 }} After World War I, many Czechs and Hungarians returned to their ancestral countries, resulting in a decline in the Viennese population. After World War II, the Soviets used force to repatriate key workers of Czech, Slovak and Hungarian origins to return to their ethnic homelands to further the Soviet bloc economy.{{citation needed|date=August 2019}} The population of Vienna generally stagnated or declined through the remainder of the 20th century, not demonstrating significant growth again until the census of 2000. In 2020, Vienna's population remained significantly below its reported peak in 1916.
Under the Nazi regime, 65,000 Jews were deported and murdered in concentration camps by Nazi forces; approximately 130,000 fled.{{cite web |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0020_0_20409.html |title=Vienna |publisher=Jewishvirtuallibrary.org |access-date=19 May 2012 |archive-date=13 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113005420/http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0020_0_20409.html |url-status=live }}
By 2001, 16% of people living in Austria had nationalities other than Austrian, nearly half of whom were from former Yugoslavia;{{cite web |url=http://www.statistik.at/web_de/static/bevoelkerung_2001_nach_umgangssprache_staatsangehoerigkeit_und_geburtsland_022896.pdf |title=Bevölkerung 2001 nach Umgangssprache, Staatsangehörigkeit und Geburtsland |access-date=19 May 2012 |archive-date=13 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101113171636/http://www.statistik.at/web_de/static/bevoelkerung_2001_nach_umgangssprache_staatsangehoerigkeit_und_geburtsland_022896.pdf |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.dw.com/sr/be%C4%8D-bo%C5%BEi%C4%87-na-gastarbajterski-na%C4%8Din/a-5096611?maca=ser-TB_ser_politka1-3157-html-cb |title=Beč: Božić na gastarbajterski način | Evropa | Deutsche Welle | 7 January 2010 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |access-date=22 January 2010 |archive-date=5 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705002924/http://www.dw.com/sr/be%C4%8D-bo%C5%BEi%C4%87-na-gastarbajterski-na%C4%8Din/a-5096611?maca=ser-TB_ser_politka1-3157-html-cb |url-status=live }} the next most numerous nationalities in Vienna were Turks (39,000; 2.5%), Poles (13,600; 0.9%) and Germans (12,700; 0.8%).
{{As of|2012}}, an official report from Statistics Austria showed that more than 660,000 (38.8%) of the Viennese population have full or partial migrant background, mostly from Ex-Yugoslavia, Turkey, Germany, Poland, Romania and Hungary.{{cite web |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/viennainfigures.pdf |title=Vienna in figures 2012, Vienna City Administration Municipal Department 23 Economic history, Labour and Statistics Responsible for the contents: Gustav Lebhart, page 6 |access-date=21 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018165619/http://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/viennainfigures.pdf |archive-date=18 October 2012 }}
From 2005 to 2015 the city's population grew by 10.1%.{{cite web |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/viennainfigures.pdf |title=Vienna in figures |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501085024/http://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/viennainfigures.pdf |archive-date=1 May 2015 }} According to UN-Habitat, Vienna could be the fastest growing city out of 17 European metropolitan areas until 2025 with an increase of 4.65% of its population, compared to 2010.{{cite web |url=http://www.unhabitat.org.jo/en/inp/Upload/1052216_Data%20tables.pdf |publisher=UN-Habitat |title=City population by country |access-date=21 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925074331/http://www.unhabitat.org.jo/en/inp/Upload/1052216_Data%20tables.pdf |archive-date=25 September 2015 }}
class="wikitable"
|+Population by migration background (2023){{Cite web |title=Migrationshintergrund |url=https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/migration-und-einbuergerung/migrationshintergrund |access-date=24 March 2024 |website=STATISTIK AUSTRIA |language=de-AT |archive-date=25 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220925113415/https://www.statistik.at/statistiken/bevoelkerung-und-soziales/bevoelkerung/migration-und-einbuergerung/migrationshintergrund |url-status=live }} !Background !Nos. |
Native born
|style="text-align:right;"|970,900 |
1st generation migration background
|style="text-align:right;"|739,500 |
2nd generation migration background
|style="text-align:right;"|242,900 |
Total
!1,953,300 |
---|
= Religion=
{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|label2 = Catholic Church
|value2 = 32
|color2 = #2243B6
|label3 = Eastern Orthodoxy
|value3 = 11
|color3 = Orchid
|label4 = Islam
|value4 = 15
|color4 = Green
|label5 = Other
|value5 = 8
|color5 = WhiteSmoke
|label1 = Unaffiliated
|value1 = 34
|color1 = Yellow
}}
According to the 2021 census, 49.0% of Viennese were Christian. Among them, 31.8% were Catholic, 11.2% were Eastern Orthodox, and 3.7% were Protestant, mostly Lutheran, 34.1% had no religious affiliation, 14.8% were Muslim, and 2% were of other religions, including Jewish.{{Cite web |last=KLIMONT |first=Jeannette |date=5 May 2022 |title=Religionszugehörigkeit 2021: drei Viertel bekennen sich zu einer Religion |url=https://www.statistik.at/fileadmin/announcement/2022/05/20220525Religionszugehoerigkeit2021.pdf |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=Statistik Austria |archive-date=24 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240224001630/https://www.statistik.at/fileadmin/announcement/2022/05/20220525Religionszugehoerigkeit2021.pdf |url-status=live }} One sources estimates that Vienna's Jewish community is of 8,000 members meanwhile another suggest 15,000.{{cite web |url=https://www.ikg-wien.at/en/about-the-jewish-community-of-vienna |title=About the Jewish Community of Vienna |language=en |access-date=14 May 2023 |url-status=live |archive-date=14 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514134526/https://www.ikg-wien.at/en/about-the-jewish-community-of-vienna }}{{cite web |title=Synagogues in Vienna |website=Vienna Direct |url=https://www.viennadirect.com/living/synagogues.php |access-date=18 September 2023 |archive-date=30 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930055620/https://www.viennadirect.com/living/synagogues.php |url-status=live }}
Based on information provided to city officials by various religious organizations about their membership, Vienna's Statistical Yearbook 2019 reports in 2018 an estimated 610,269 Roman Catholics, or 32.3% of the population, and 200,000 (10.4%) Muslims, 70,298 (3.7%) Orthodox, 57,502 (3.0%) other Christians, and 9,504 (0.5%) other religions.{{cite report |title=Statistisches Jahrbuch der Stadt Wien 2019 |trans-title=Statistical Yearbook of the City of Vienna 2019 |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/jahrbuch-2019.pdf#page=172 |page=174 |date=November 2019 |language=de |publisher=Magistrat der Stadt Wienn – Stadt Wien Wirtschaft, Arbeit und Statistik |access-date=29 June 2020 |archive-date=1 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200701040527/https://www.wien.gv.at/statistik/pdf/jahrbuch-2019.pdf#page=172 |url-status=dead }} A study conducted by the Vienna Institute of Demography estimated the 2018 proportions to be 34% Catholic, 30% unaffiliated, 15% Muslim, 10% Orthodox, 4% Protestant, and 6% other religions.{{cite report |first1=Anne |last1=Goujon |first2=Claudia |last2=Reiter |first3=Michaela |last3=Potančoková |title=Vienna Institute of Demography Working Papers 13/2018 – Religious Affiliations in Austria at the Provincial Level: Estimates for Vorarlberg, 2001–2018 |url=https://www.oeaw.ac.at/fileadmin/subsites/Institute/VID/IMG/Publications/Working_Papers/WP2018_13.pdf#page=19 |pages=18–19 |publisher=Vienna Institute of Demography – Austrian Academy of Sciences }}{{Cite web |title=Mehr orthodoxe Christen, Muslime und Konfessionslose in Wien |url=https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000136038218/mehr-orthodoxe-christen-muslime-und-konfessionslose-in-wien |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723125449/https://www.derstandard.at/story/2000136038218/mehr-orthodoxe-christen-muslime-und-konfessionslose-in-wien |url-status=live }}
As of the spring of 2014, Muslims made up 30% of the total proportion of schoolchildren in Vienna.{{Cite web |title=The European capital where there are more Muslim than Catholic children in state primary schools |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/muslim-catholic-children-viennas-state-primary-schools-102432801.html |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=uk.news.yahoo.com |date=27 September 2017 |language=en-GB |archive-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106154721/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/muslim-catholic-children-viennas-state-primary-schools-102432801.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=16 April 2017 |title='Islamic' kindergartens: Vienna's Muslim preschools cause a stir in Austria |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/islamic-kindergartens-vienna-s-muslim-preschools-cause-a-stir-in-austria/story-oVNNlceakLKR4iNAf9NvnI.html |access-date=6 January 2023 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=6 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106154720/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/islamic-kindergartens-vienna-s-muslim-preschools-cause-a-stir-in-austria/story-oVNNlceakLKR4iNAf9NvnI.html |url-status=live }}
Vienna is the seat of the Metropolitan Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, in which is also vested the exempt Ordinariate for Byzantine-Rite Catholics in Austria; its Archbishop is Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. Many Catholic Churches in central Vienna feature performances of religious or other music, including masses sung to classical music and organ. Some of Vienna's most significant historical buildings are Catholic churches, including the St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom), Karlskirche, Peterskirche and the Votivkirche. On the banks of the Danube is a Buddhist Peace Pagoda, built in 1983 by the monks and nuns of Nipponzan Myohoji.
Geography
File:Vienna by Sentinel-2.jpg by Sentinel-2]]
Vienna is located in northeastern Austria, at the easternmost extension of the Alps in the Vienna Basin. The earliest settlement, at the location of today's inner city, was south of the meandering Danube while the city now spans both sides of the river. Elevation ranges from {{cvt|151|to|542|m|ft|0}}. The city has a total area of 414.78 square kilometers (160.1 sq mi), making it the largest city in Austria by area.
= Climate =
Whereas the higher elevated north/western edges of Vienna have a borderline oceanic (Köppen: Cfb) and humid continental climate (Köppen: Dfb), most parts of the urban core are warm enough for a humid subtropical (Köppen: Cfa) classification with dozens of days exceeding {{cvt|30|°C|0}} and night temperatures not dropping below {{cvt|20|°C|0}}.
The city has warm to hot showery summers, with average high temperatures ranging between {{cvt|27|and|32|C|F}} and a record maximum exceeding {{cvt|38|°C|0}}. Winters are relatively dry and cool to cold with daily mean temperatures at or well above freezing point. Spring is variable and autumn cool, with a chance of snow in or after November. Snowfall and frequent frost have become rare though in the last decades, with snow cover mostly ranging from zero to a few inches for a short period of time.
Precipitation is generally moderate throughout the year, averaging around {{cvt|600|mm|1}} annually, with considerable local variations, the Vienna Woods region in the west being the wettest part ({{cvt|700|to|800|mm|0}} annually) and the flat plains in the east being the driest part ({{cvt|500|to|550|mm|0}} annually). Snow in winter is not common anymore and not so frequent compared to the mostly alpine Western and Southern regions of Austria.
{{Weather box|location= Vienna (Hohe Warte) 1991–2020, extremes 1775–present
|metric first= Y
|single line= Y
|Jan record high C = 18.7
|Feb record high C = 20.6
|Mar record high C = 25.5
|Apr record high C = 29.5
|May record high C = 34.0
|Jun record high C = 36.5
|Jul record high C = 39.5
|Aug record high C = 38.4
|Sep record high C = 34.0
|Oct record high C = 27.8
|Nov record high C = 21.7
|Dec record high C = 18.6
|year record high C = 39.5
|Jan high C = 3.5
|Feb high C = 6.5
|Mar high C = 10.7
|Apr high C = 17.2
|May high C = 20.7
|Jun high C = 25.1
|Jul high C = 26.4
|Aug high C = 26.1
|Sep high C = 21.1
|Oct high C = 14.3
|Nov high C = 8.8
|Dec high C = 4.0
|year high C = 15.4
|Jan mean C = 1.1
|Feb mean C = 2.8
|Mar mean C = 6.9
|Apr mean C = 11.9
|May mean C = 16.3
|Jun mean C = 20.0
|Jul mean C = 21.9
|Aug mean C = 21.6
|Sep mean C = 16.6
|Oct mean C = 11.2
|Nov mean C = 6.2
|Dec mean C = 1.8
|year mean C = 11.5
|Jan low C = -1.3
|Feb low C = -0.5
|Mar low C = 2.6
|Apr low C = 6.7
|May low C = 10.7
|Jun low C = 14.7
|Jul low C = 15.9
|Aug low C = 15.6
|Sep low C = 12.0
|Oct low C = 7.3
|Nov low C = 3.7
|Dec low C = -0.4
|year low C = 7.2
|Jan record low C = -23.8
|Feb record low C = -26.0
|Mar record low C = -16.3
|Apr record low C = -8.1
|May record low C = -1.8
|Jun record low C = 3.2
|Jul record low C = 6.9
|Aug record low C = 6.5
|Sep record low C = -0.6
|Oct record low C = -9.1
|Nov record low C = -14.3
|Dec record low C = -20.7
|year record low C = -26.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 42.1
|Feb precipitation mm = 38.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 51.6
|Apr precipitation mm = 41.8
|May precipitation mm = 78.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 70.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 77.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 69.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 64.1
|Oct precipitation mm = 46.9
|Nov precipitation mm = 46.0
|Dec precipitation mm = 46.8
|year precipitation mm = 673.1
|Jan snow cm = 15.9
|Feb snow cm = 13.6
|Mar snow cm = 5.2
|Apr snow cm = 1.1
|May snow cm = 0.0
|Jun snow cm = 0.0
|Jul snow cm = 0.0
|Aug snow cm = 0.0
|Sep snow cm = 0.0
|Oct snow cm = 0.4
|Nov snow cm = 3.2
|Dec snow cm = 10.8
|year snow cm =
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 8.7
|Feb precipitation days = 7.1
|Mar precipitation days = 8.7
|Apr precipitation days = 6.5
|May precipitation days = 9.4
|Jun precipitation days = 8.4
|Jul precipitation days = 8.9
|Aug precipitation days = 7.9
|Sep precipitation days = 7.4
|Oct precipitation days = 7.2
|Nov precipitation days = 7.6
|Dec precipitation days = 8.6
|year precipitation days = 96.4
|unit snow days = 1.0 cm
|Jan snow days = 11.4
|Feb snow days = 8.8
|Mar snow days = 3.4
|Apr snow days = 0.3
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 1.6
|Dec snow days = 6.2
|year snow days = 31.8
|time day= 14:00
|Jan humidity = 73.4
|Feb humidity = 64.9
|Mar humidity = 57.7
|Apr humidity = 51.6
|May humidity = 54.6
|Jun humidity = 54.4
|Jul humidity = 53.3
|Aug humidity = 52.8
|Sep humidity = 58.4
|Oct humidity = 66.2
|Nov humidity = 74.3
|Dec humidity = 76.6
|year humidity = 61.5
|Jan sun = 70.2
|Feb sun = 104.9
|Mar sun = 155.1
|Apr sun = 216.5
|May sun = 248.3
|Jun sun = 260.5
|Jul sun = 273.6
|Aug sun = 266.3
|Sep sun = 191.7
|Oct sun = 129.9
|Nov sun = 67.7
|Dec sun = 57.1
|year sun = 2041.8
|Jan percentsun = 26.4
|Feb percentsun = 37.5
|Mar percentsun = 43.0
|Apr percentsun = 54.1
|May percentsun = 54.4
|Jun percentsun = 56.3
|Jul percentsun = 58.6
|Aug percentsun = 62.1
|Sep percentsun = 52.2
|Oct percentsun = 40.0
|Nov percentsun = 25.1
|Dec percentsun = 22.6
|year percentsun = 44.4
|source 1 = Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics
{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605200319/https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/dokumente/klima/dok_klimauebersichten/copy_of_klimanormalperiode_19912020.xlsx |archive-date=5 June 2023 |url=https://www.zamg.ac.at/cms/de/dokumente/klima/dok_klimauebersichten/copy_of_klimanormalperiode_19912020.xlsx |title=Klimamittelwerte 1991–2020 |publisher=Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics |language=de |access-date=11 April 2023 }}
|source 2= Meteo Climat (record highs and lows),{{cite web |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=299 |title=Station Vienne |publisher=Météo Climat |language=fr |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224012427/http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=299 |url-status=live }} wien.orf.at{{cite web |url=https://wien.orf.at/v2/news/stories/2596922/ |title=Hitzerekord: 39,5 Grad in Wien |publisher=wien.orf.at |access-date=21 October 2019 |language=de |date=8 August 2013 |archive-date=22 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191022001407/https://wien.orf.at/v2/news/stories/2596922/ |url-status=live }}
}}
{{Weather box|location= Vienna (Innere Stadt) 1991–2020, extremes 1961–2020
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|collapsed = Y
|Jan record high C = 19.5
|Feb record high C = 20.0
|Mar record high C = 25.4
|Apr record high C = 31.2
|May record high C = 34.1
|Jun record high C = 37.7
|Jul record high C = 38.4
|Aug record high C = 39.5
|Sep record high C = 34.5
|Oct record high C = 28.5
|Nov record high C = 21.3
|Dec record high C = 16.4
|year record high C = 39.5
|Jan high C = 4.2
|Feb high C = 7.0
|Mar high C = 11.0
|Apr high C = 17.4
|May high C = 21.1
|Jun high C = 25.7
|Jul high C = 26.9
|Aug high C = 26.6
|Sep high C = 21.6
|Oct high C = 15.0
|Nov high C = 9.5
|Dec high C = 4.7
|year high C = 15.9
|Jan mean C = 2.1
|Feb mean C = 3.8
|Mar mean C = 7.7
|Apr mean C = 13.0
|May mean C = 17.3
|Jun mean C = 21.0
|Jul mean C = 23.0
|Aug mean C = 22.8
|Sep mean C = 17.7
|Oct mean C = 12.3
|Nov mean C = 7.2
|Dec mean C = 2.8
|year mean C = 12.6
|Jan low C = -0.1
|Feb low C = 1.1
|Mar low C = 4.0
|Apr low C = 8.6
|May low C = 12.3
|Jun low C = 16.4
|Jul low C = 17.7
|Aug low C = 17.5
|Sep low C = 13.8
|Oct low C = 8.9
|Nov low C = 5.0
|Dec low C = 0.7
|year low C = 8.8
|Jan record low C = -17.6
|Feb record low C = -16.4
|Mar record low C = -11.0
|Apr record low C = -2.4
|May record low C = 3.0
|Jun record low C = 6.8
|Jul record low C = 10.9
|Aug record low C = 10.1
|Sep record low C = 5.1
|Oct record low C = -2.1
|Nov record low C = -7.0
|Dec record low C = -15.4
|year record low C = -17.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 37.6
|Feb precipitation mm = 33.5
|Mar precipitation mm = 46.3
|Apr precipitation mm = 39.6
|May precipitation mm = 78.3
|Jun precipitation mm = 82.0
|Jul precipitation mm = 80.3
|Aug precipitation mm = 73.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 67.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 47.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 42.9
|Dec precipitation mm = 39.9
|year precipitation mm = 669.2
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 7.5
|Feb precipitation days = 6.3
|Mar precipitation days = 7.7
|Apr precipitation days = 6.4
|May precipitation days = 9.3
|Jun precipitation days = 9.0
|Jul precipitation days = 8.9
|Aug precipitation days = 8.0
|Sep precipitation days = 7.2
|Oct precipitation days = 7.0
|Nov precipitation days = 6.9
|Dec precipitation days = 7.7
|year precipitation days = 91.9
|time day= 14:00
|Jan humidity = 75.0
|Feb humidity = 67.6
|Mar humidity = 62.1
|Apr humidity = 53.9
|May humidity = 54.3
|Jun humidity = 56.9
|Jul humidity = 54.4
|Aug humidity = 54.4
|Sep humidity = 61.0
|Oct humidity = 64.9
|Nov humidity = 74.9
|Dec humidity = 78.4
|year humidity = 63.2
|Jan sun = 70.4
|Feb sun = 103.7
|Mar sun = 154.9
|Apr sun = 216.6
|May sun = 248.5
|Jun sun = 259.1
|Jul sun = 273.3
|Aug sun = 266.3
|Sep sun = 194.0
|Oct sun = 133.3
|Nov sun = 70.7
|Dec sun = 57.1
|year sun = 2047.9
|Jan percentsun = 26.7
|Feb percentsun = 37.1
|Mar percentsun = 42.8
|Apr percentsun = 53.8
|May percentsun = 53.9
|Jun percentsun = 55.2
|Jul percentsun = 57.9
|Aug percentsun = 61.7
|Sep percentsun = 52.6
|Oct percentsun = 40.9
|Nov percentsun = 26.4
|Dec percentsun = 23.0
|year percentsun = 44.3
|source 1= Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics{{cite web |url=http://www.zamg.ac.at/fix/klima/oe71-00/klima2000/klimadaten_oesterreich_1971_frame1.htm |title=Klimadaten von Österreich 1971–2000 – Wien-Innere-Stadt |language=de |publisher=Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics |access-date=20 October 2019 |archive-date=12 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012234750/http://www.zamg.ac.at/fix/klima/oe71-00/klima2000/klimadaten_oesterreich_1971_frame1.htm |url-status=live }}
|date= February 2015}}
{{Weather box
|collapsed = Y
|location= Vienna (Hohe Warte) 1961–1990{{efn-lr|Afternoon humidity measured at 14:00 local time}}
|metric first= Y
|single line= Y
| Jan avg record high C = 10.2
| Feb avg record high C = 11.9
| Mar avg record high C = 19.6
| Apr avg record high C = 23.5
| May avg record high C = 26.6
| Jun avg record high C = 30.1
| Jul avg record high C = 31.8
| Aug avg record high C = 31.5
| Sep avg record high C = 27.6
| Oct avg record high C = 21.6
| Nov avg record high C = 16.0
| Dec avg record high C =11.3
| Jan high C =2.9
| Feb high C =5.1
| Mar high C =10.3
| Apr high C =15.2
| May high C =20.5
| Jun high C =23.4
| Jul high C =25.6
| Aug high C =25.4
| Sep high C =20.3
| Oct high C =14.2
| Nov high C =7.5
| Dec high C =4.0
| year high C =
| Jan mean C =-0.6
| Feb mean C =1.6
| Mar mean C =5.8
| Apr mean C =10.5
| May mean C =15.1
| Jun mean C =18.2
| Jul mean C =20.1
| Aug mean C =19.7
| Sep mean C =16.0
| Oct mean C =10.6
| Nov mean C =5.1
| Dec mean C =1.2
| year mean C =10.3
| Jan low C =-2.0
| Feb low C =-0.9
| Mar low C =2.4
| Apr low C =5.8
| May low C =10.5
| Jun low C =13.5
| Jul low C =15.4
| Aug low C =15.3
| Sep low C =11.7
| Oct low C =7.0
| Nov low C =2.4
| Dec low C =-0.5
| year low C =6.7
| Jan avg record low C = -10.2
| Feb avg record low C = -8.3
| Mar avg record low C = -4.8
| Apr avg record low C = 0.0
| May avg record low C = 4.2
| Jun avg record low C = 8.0
| Jul avg record low C = 10.3
| Aug avg record low C = 9.6
| Sep avg record low C = 5.9
| Oct avg record low C = 0.3
| Nov avg record low C = -3.8
| Dec avg record low C = -9.1
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm =38.0
| Feb precipitation mm =42.0
| Mar precipitation mm =41.0
| Apr precipitation mm =51.0
| May precipitation mm =61.0
| Jun precipitation mm =74.0
| Jul precipitation mm =63.0
| Aug precipitation mm =58.0
| Sep precipitation mm =45.0
| Oct precipitation mm =41.0
| Nov precipitation mm =50.0
| Dec precipitation mm =43.0
| year precipitation mm =
| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| precip days colour =
| Jan precipitation days =8
| Feb precipitation days =8
| Mar precipitation days =8
| Apr precipitation days =8
| May precipitation days =9
| Jun precipitation days =9
| Jul precipitation days =9
| Aug precipitation days =8
| Sep precipitation days =6
| Oct precipitation days =6
| Nov precipitation days =8
| Dec precipitation days =8
| year precipitation days =
| Jan humidity =79
| Feb humidity =76
| Mar humidity =69
| Apr humidity =64
| May humidity =66
| Jun humidity =66
| Jul humidity =64
| Aug humidity =68
| Sep humidity =74
| Oct humidity =78
| Nov humidity =80
| Dec humidity =80
| year humidity =
| Jan afthumidity =73
| Feb afthumidity =68
| Mar afthumidity =57
| Apr afthumidity =51
| May afthumidity =53
| Jun afthumidity =55
| Jul afthumidity =52
| Aug afthumidity =53
| Sep afthumidity =58
| Oct afthumidity =64
| Nov afthumidity =72
| Dec afthumidity =75
| year afthumidity =
| Jan dew point C =-3.5
| Feb dew point C =-2.3
| Mar dew point C =-0.2
| Apr dew point C =3.1
| May dew point C =8.2
| Jun dew point C =11.4
| Jul dew point C =12.6
| Aug dew point C =12.7
| Sep dew point C =10.4
| Oct dew point C =6.3
| Nov dew point C =1.5
| Dec dew point C =-1.8
| Jan sun =56
| Feb sun =78
| Mar sun =126
| Apr sun =170
| May sun =221
| Jun sun =223
| Jul sun =246
| Aug sun =228
| Sep sun =171
| Oct sun =137
| Nov sun =63
| Dec sun =52
| year sun =
|source 1 = Deutscher Wetterdienst{{Cite web |url=https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_110350_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Wien-Hohe Warte / Österreich |access-date=16 February 2024 |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |no-pp=y |language=German |archive-date=16 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240216111615/https://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_110350_kt.pdf |url-status=live }}
|source 2 = NOAA(mean monthly max/min-Sun-Dew Point){{Cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/OS/11035.TXT |title=Wien - Hohe Warte Climate Normals for 1961-1990 |access-date=16 February 2024 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmosoheric Administration |no-pp=y |archive-date=14 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240214081204/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/RA-VI/OS/11035.TXT |url-status=live }}
}}
{{notelist-lr}}
Districts and enlargement
{{Main|Districts of Vienna}}
File:Vienna, administrative divisions - Nmbrs.svg with numbers]]
= Districts =
File:Street sign 1. Graben (Vienna).jpg
Vienna is divided into 23 districts (German: Bezirke). Each district has both a name and a corresponding number. These numbers are displayed on every street sign before the street name (e.g., 16., Thaliastraße). They also serve as the second and third digits of the postcode (1010 for the 1st district to 1230 for the 23rd district).
Residents of the districts (Austrians as well as EU citizens) elect the district assembly to a five year term. The elections take place concurrently with the state election. Any decision taken by the district can be overridden by the city assembly or the responsible city councilor.
class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible"
!No. !District !class="unsortable" | Coat of !Area !Population !Density !class="unsortable" | Map |
1
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Innere Stadt, Wappen.svg |2.869 |16,538 |5,764 |
2
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Leopoldstadt, Wappen.svg |19.242 |110,100 |5,707 |
3
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Landstraße, Wappen.svg |7.403 |98,398 |13,292 |
4
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Wieden, Wappen.svg |1.776 |33,155 |18,668 |
5
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Margareten, Wappen.svg |2.012 |54,400 |27,038 |
6
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Mariahilf, Wappen.svg |1.455 |31,386 |21,571 |
7
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Neubau, Wappen.svg |1.608 |31,513 |19,598 |
8
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Josefstadt, Wappen.svg |1.090 |24,499 |22,476 |
9
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Alsergrund, Wappen.svg |2.976 |41,631 |13,989 |
10
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Favoriten, Wappen.svg |31.823 |220,324 |6,923 |
11
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Simmering, Wappen.svg |23.256 |110,559 |4,754 |
12
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Meidling, Wappen.svg |8.103 |101,714 |12,556 |
13
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Hietzing, Wappen.svg |37.713 |55,505 |1,472 |
14
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Penzing, Wappen.svg |33.760 |98,161 |2,908 |
15
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus, Wappen.svg |3.918 |76,381 |19,495 |
16
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Ottakring, Wappen.svg |8.673 |102,770 |11,849 |
17
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Hernals, Wappen.svg |11.396 |56,671 |4,973 |
18
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Währing, Wappen.svg |6.347 |51,395 |8,098 |
19
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Döbling, Wappen.svg |24.944 |75,400 |3,023 |
20
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Brigittenau, Wappen.svg |5.710 |85,930 |15,049 |
21
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Floridsdorf, Wappen.svg |44.443 |186,233 |4,190 |
22
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Donaustadt, Wappen.svg |102.299 |220,794 |2,158 |
23
| style=text-align:center | File:Wien - Bezirk Liesing, Wappen.svg |32.061 |121,303 |3,784 |
= Enlargement =
The heart and historical city of Vienna, a large part of today's Innere Stadt, was a fortress surrounded by fields to defend itself from potential attackers. In 1850, with the emperor's consent, Vienna annexed 34 surrounding villages into the city limits. Following this expansion the walls were taken down, allowing the city center to expand.Decision of Emperor Franz Joseph I, published in the official newspaper Wiener Zeitung on 25 December 1857, p. 1
In its place, a broad boulevard called the Ringstraße was built, along which grand public and private buildings, monuments and parks were constructed by the early 20th century. These buildings include the Rathaus, Burgtheater, University, Parliament, the twin museums of natural history and fine art, and the Staatsoper. It is also the location of the New Wing of the Hofburg, the former imperial palace, and the Imperial and Royal War Ministry finished in 1913. The mainly Gothic Stephansdom is located at the center of the city, on Stephansplatz. The Imperial-Royal Government set up the Vienna City Renovation Fund (Wiener Stadterneuerungsfonds) and sold many building lots to private investors, thereby partly financing public construction works.
From 1850 to 1890, city limits in the West and the South mainly followed another wall called Linienwall at which a road toll called the Liniengeld was charged. Outside this wall from 1873 onwards a ring road called The Gürtel was built. In 1890 it was decided to integrate 33 suburbs (called Vororte) beyond that wall into Vienna by 1 January 1892Czeike, volume 5, p. 290 and transform them into districts no. 11 to 19 (district no. 10 had been constituted in 1874); hence the Linienwall was torn down beginning in 1894.Czeike, volume 4, Vienna 1995, {{ISBN|3-218-00546-9}}, p. 69 In 1900, district no. 20, Brigittenau, was created by separating the area from the 2nd district.
From 1850 to 1904, Vienna had expanded only on the eastern bank of the Danube, following the main branch before the regulation of 1868–1875, i.e., the Old Danube of today. In 1904, the 21st district was created by integrating Floridsdorf, Kagran, Stadlau, Hirschstetten, Aspern and other villages on the left bank of the Danube into Vienna, and in 1910 Strebersdorf followed. On 15 October 1938, the Nazis created Great Vienna with 26 districts by merging 97 towns and villages into Vienna, 80 of which were returned to surrounding Lower Austria in 1954. Since then Vienna has had 23 districts.
Industries are located mostly in the southern and eastern districts. The Innere Stadt is situated away from the main flow of the Danube, but is bounded by the Donaukanal ("Danube canal"). Vienna's second and twentieth districts are located between the Donaukanal and the Danube. Across the Danube, where the Vienna International Centre is located (districts 21–22), and in the southern areas (district 23) are the newest parts of the city.
Politics
=Political history=
{{Further|First Austrian Republic|Red Vienna}}
File:Wien Rathaus hochauflösend.jpg (City Hall), the seat of the local government.]]
In the provinces represented in the Imperial Council, men had enjoyed universal suffrage at the national level since 1907. However, Mayor Karl Lueger of the Christian Social Party prevented the adoption of this right to vote in municipal council elections, effectively excluding many working-class people. The first elections in which all adult men and women were entitled to vote took place in 1919, after the end of the monarchy. Since 1919, the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ) has consistently provided the mayor in all free elections, and the Vienna City Council (the city parliament) has maintained a Social Democratic majority.
On 10 November 1920, the Federal Constitution of Austria came into force. This constitution defined Vienna as a separate federal state, enabling its separation from Lower Austria. Since then, the mayor of Vienna has also served as the governor of the state, the city senate has functioned as the state government and the municipal council the state parliament. Vienna continued to serve as the seat of the Lower Austrian government until 1997, when it relocated to St. Pölten.
From 1934 to 1945, during the Austrofascist and Nazi periods, no democratic elections were held, and the city was governed under a dictatorship. During this time, the SPÖ was banned, and many of its members were imprisoned. Vienna's city constitution was reinstated in 1945.
The city has enacted numerous social democratic policies. One notable example is the Gemeindebauten, social housing assets that are well-integrated into the city's architecture outside the inner district. These low-cost rentals provide comfortable accommodation and good access to city amenities. Many of the projects were built after World War II on vacant lots left by bombings during the war, with a strong emphasis on high construction standards. Today, Vienna's social housing accommodates over 500,000 people.{{cite web |title=Social Housing in Vienna |url=https://www.wienerwohnen.at/wiener-gemeindebau/municipal-housing-in-vienna.html |website=www.wienerwohnen.at |publisher=City of Vienna |access-date=10 August 2023 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810230349/https://www.wienerwohnen.at/wiener-gemeindebau/municipal-housing-in-vienna.html |url-status=live }}
=Government=
{{Main|Gemeinderat and Landtag of Vienna}}
File:Michael Ludwig - Veranstaltung „1. Tag des Wiener Wohnbaus“ (2).JPG
In the 1996 City Council election, the SPÖ lost its overall majority in the 100-seat chamber, winning 43 seats and 39.15% of the vote. The SPÖ had previously held an outright majority in every free municipal election since 1919. In the same election, the Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ) won 29 seats, an increase from 21 in 1991, and surpassed the ÖVP, who finished in third place for the second consecutive election. From 1996 to 2001, the SPÖ governed Vienna in a coalition with the ÖVP.
In 2001, the SPÖ regained their overall majority with 52 seats and 46.91% of the vote. In 2005, this majority increased further to 55 seats (49.09%). However, in the 2010 elections, the SPÖ lost their overall majority again and subsequently formed a coalition with the Green Party – the first SPÖ/Green coalition in Austria. This coalition remained in place following the 2015 election.
After the 2020 election, the SPÖ formed a coalition with NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum. The next elections are scheduled to take place on 27 April 2025.
== Current government ==
The latest elections were held on 11 October 2020. It resulted in an SPÖ-NEOS coalition and Michael Ludwig was re-elected as mayor.
{{Seats diagram
| float = right
| title= Seats
| width= 200
|n1=46|p1=SPÖ|c1=#FF0000
|n2=8|p2=NEOS|c2=#CB1967
|n3=22|p3=ÖVP|c3=#5FC3D0
|n4=16|p4=Greens|c4=#92D050
|n5=8|p5=FPÖ|c5=#0066FF
}}
{{Main|2020 Viennese state election}}
class="wikitable zebra" style="text-align:right" | ||
Party
!Votes | %
!+/– | Seats
!+/– |
---|---|---|
style="text-align:left"| Social Democratic Party of Austria (SPÖ)
|301,967 | 41.62
| +2.03 | 46
| +2 |
style="text-align:left"| Austrian People's Party (ÖVP)
|148,238 | 20.43
| +11.19 | 22
| +15 |
style="text-align:left"| The Greens – The Green Alternative (GRÜNE)
|107,397 | 14.80
| +2.96 | 16
| +6 |
style="text-align:left"| NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum (NEOS)
|54,173 | 7.47
| +1.31 | 8
| +3 |
style="text-align:left"| Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ)
|51,603 | 7.11
|–23.68 | 8
|–26 |
style="text-align:left"| Other
|62,132 | 8.56
| +6.19 | 0
| +0 |
style="text-align:left"| Total
|725,510 | 100
|– | 100
|– |
Economy
File:Wien - Austria Center.JPG
Vienna generates 25.1% of Austria's GDP, making it the highest performing regional economy of the country. It has a GDP per capita of €56,600€ as of 2024. The unemployment rate in Vienna is 9.6% as of 2022, which is the highest of all the states.{{Cite web |title=Unemployed, seeking work |url=https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/labour-market/unemployment/unemployed-seeking-work |access-date=11 September 2024 |website=STATISTICS AUSTRIA |language=en-GB |archive-date=11 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240911210321/https://www.statistik.at/en/statistics/labour-market/unemployment/unemployed-seeking-work |url-status=live }} The private service sector provides 75% of all jobs.{{cite book |author1=Leo van den Berg |author2=Erik Braun |title=Growth Clusters in European Metropolitan Cities |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2017 |page= |isbn=9781351739665 }} The city improved its position from 2012 on the ranking of the most economically powerful cities reaching number nine on the list in 2015.{{cite news |url=http://www.citylab.com/work/2011/09/25-most-economically-powerful-cities-world/109/#slide21 |title=The 25 Most Economically Powerful Cities in the World |newspaper=Bloomberg |publisher=The Atlantic CityLab |date=15 September 2011 |access-date=26 June 2016 |archive-date=3 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150203195432/http://www.citylab.com/work/2011/09/25-most-economically-powerful-cities-world/109/#slide21 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.citylab.com/work/2015/03/sorry-london-new-york-is-the-worlds-most-economically-powerful-city/386315 |title=Sorry, London: New York Is the World's Most Economically Powerful City |newspaper=Bloomberg |publisher=The Atlantic CityLab |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=26 June 2016 |archive-date=27 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627222624/http://www.citylab.com/work/2015/03/sorry-london-new-york-is-the-worlds-most-economically-powerful-city/386315/ |url-status=live }} Of the top 500 Austrian firms measured by turnover, 203 are headquartered in Vienna. As of 2015, 175 international firms maintained offices in Vienna.{{cite web |title=Wieder Rekordergebnis bei Betriebsansiedlungen |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/wirtschaft/betriebe/ansiedlungsrekord.html |publisher=Vienna City Administration |language=de |access-date=21 August 2016 |archive-date=22 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822210628/https://www.wien.gv.at/wirtschaft/betriebe/ansiedlungsrekord.html }}
Since the fall of the Iron Curtain in 1989, Vienna has expanded its position as a gateway to Eastern Europe. 300 international companies have their Eastern European headquarters in Vienna, including Hewlett-Packard, Henkel, Baxalta, and Siemens.{{cite web |url=http://investinaustria.at/en/downloads/brochures/headquarters-2015.pdf |title=Headquarters Location Austria |publisher=Austrian Business Agency |date=December 2014 |access-date=13 October 2015 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232322/http://investinaustria.at/en/downloads/brochures/headquarters-2015.pdf }}
=Research and development=
Bioscience is a major research and development sector in Vienna. The Vienna Life Science Cluster is Austria's major hub for life science research, education and business. Throughout Vienna, five universities and several basic research institutes form the academic core of the hub with more than 12,600 employees and 34,700 students. Here, more than 480 medical device, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies with almost 23,000 employees generate around 12 billion euros in revenue (2017). This corresponds to more than 50% of the revenue generated by life science companies in Austria (22.4 billion euros).{{Cite web |url=https://www.lisavienna.at/life-sciences-in-vienna/interesting-facts/ |title=Interesting Facts |website=LISAvienna – life science austria |language=en |access-date=10 October 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103130446/https://www.lisavienna.at/life-sciences-in-vienna/interesting-facts/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.lifescienceaustria.at/ |title=Home- LISA: Advancing Austrian life science at the heart of Europe |website=LISA: Advancing Austrian life science |language=en |access-date=10 October 2019 |archive-date=3 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103130446/https://www.lifescienceaustria.at/ |url-status=live }}{{update inline|date=February 2022}}
Vienna is home to Boehringer Ingelheim, Octapharma, Ottobock and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company.{{Cite news |url=https://www.lisavienna.at/fileadmin/user_upload/LISAvienna/Downloads/LISAvienna_Highlights_Spring_and_Summer_2019.pdf |title=Vienna Highlights Spring & Summer 2019 |last=LISAvienna |access-date=10 October 2019 |archive-date=10 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010113213/https://www.lisavienna.at/fileadmin/user_upload/LISAvienna/Downloads/LISAvienna_Highlights_Spring_and_Summer_2019.pdf |url-status=live }} Companies such as Apeiron Biologics, Hookipa Pharma, Marinomed, mySugr, Themis Bioscience and Valneva operate in Vienna.{{Cite news |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisoncoleman/2019/09/10/why-vienna-is-the-best-place-to-start-a-business/ |title=Focusing on Life Sciences in Vienna |last1=Halwachs |first1=Peter |date=Spring 2019 |work=European Biotechnology |access-date=10 October 2019 |last2=Sarx |first2=Johannes |archive-date=10 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010113211/https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisoncoleman/2019/09/10/why-vienna-is-the-best-place-to-start-a-business/ |url-status=live }} The Central European Diabetes Association, a cooperative international medical research association, was founded in the city.
=Information technologies=
The Viennese sector for information and communication technologies is comparable in size with those of Helsinki, Milan, or Munich, and ranks among Europe's largest locations for information technology. In 2012 8,962 information technology businesses with a workforce of 64,223 were located in the Vienna region. Among the biggest IT firms in Vienna are Kapsch, Beko Engineering & Informatics, Frequentis, Cisco Systems Austria, Microsoft Austria, IBM Austria and Samsung Electronics Austria.{{cite book |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/wirtschaft/standort/pdf/vienna-digital-city-en.pdf |title=Vienna Digital City |publisher=Vienna City Administration Municipal Department 23 Economic Affairs, Labour and Statistic |date=March 2015 |access-date=13 October 2015 |isbn=9783901945175 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222081223/https://www.wien.gv.at/wirtschaft/standort/pdf/vienna-digital-city-en.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/wirtschaft/standort/pdf/ikt.pdf |title=IKT Standort Wien im Vergleich Endbericht |language=de |publisher=KMU Forschung Austria and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft |date=December 2007 |access-date=13 October 2015 |archive-date=22 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222101559/https://www.wien.gv.at/wirtschaft/standort/pdf/ikt.pdf |url-status=dead }}
The British company UBM has rated Vienna one of the Top 10 Internet Cities worldwide, by analyzing criteria like connection speed, WiFi availability, innovation spirit and open government data.{{cite web |url=http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/document.asp?doc_id=525595 |title=Discover the World's Greatest Internet Cities |publisher=UBM LLC |date=26 August 2013 |access-date=13 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905052917/http://www.ubmfuturecities.com/document.asp?doc_id=525595 |archive-date=5 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}
=Conferences=
In 2022, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) ranked Vienna 1st in the world for association meetings.{{Cite web |date=23 May 2023 |title=The welcome return of the ICCA Country – and City – Rankings for 2022 |url=https://www.iccaworld.org/news/post/the-welcome-return-of-the-icca-country-and-city-rankings-for-2022/ |access-date=20 March 2024 |website=www.iccaworld.org |language=en-us |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320223802/https://www.iccaworld.org/news/post/the-welcome-return-of-the-icca-country-and-city-rankings-for-2022/ |url-status=live }} The Union of International Associations (UIA) ranked Vienna 5th in the world for 2019 with 306 international meetings, behind Singapore, Brussels, Seoul and Paris.{{Cite web |title=Vienna takes fifth place in global UIA congress statistics |url=https://www.vienna.convention.at/en/press/news-en/uia-2019-platz-5-362238 |access-date=31 May 2021 |website=Vienna Convention Bureau |language=en |archive-date=22 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220622090022/https://www.vienna.convention.at/en/press/news-en/uia-2019-platz-5-362238 |url-status=live }} The city's largest conference center, the Austria Center Vienna (ACV) has a total capacity for around 22,800 people and is situated next to the United Nations Office at Vienna.{{cite web |url=https://www.acv.at/index.en.html |title=Austria Center Vienna |publisher=Austria Center Vienna |access-date=13 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204202737/https://www.acv.at/index.en.html |archive-date=4 February 2016 |url-status=dead }} Other centers are the Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center (up to 3,000 people) and the Hofburg Palace (up to 4,900 people).
=Tourism=
There were 17.3 million overnight stays in Vienna in 2023. The top ten incoming markets in 2023 were Germany, the rest of Austria, the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Poland, Switzerland, and Romania.{{Cite web |title=Ankünfte & Nächtigungen 2023 |url=https://b2b.wien.info/de/statistik/daten/ankuenfte-naechtigungen-2023-444984 |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=b2b.wien.info |language=de |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319225932/https://b2b.wien.info/de/statistik/daten/ankuenfte-naechtigungen-2023-444984 |url-status=live }}
Culture
= Classical music, theater, and opera =
{{See also|Music of Vienna|Music of Austria}}
File:Wien - Burgtheater.JPG on the Ring]]
Vienna has a long-standing tradition of art and culture, encompassing theater, opera, classical music, and fine arts. The Burgtheater is considered one of the premier theaters in the German-speaking world alongside its branch, the Akademietheater. The Volkstheater and the Theater in der Josefstadt also enjoy good reputations. There is also a multitude of smaller theaters, in many cases devoted to less mainstream forms of the performing arts, such as modern or experimental plays, as well as cabaret.
The city is also home to a number of opera houses, including the Theater an der Wien, the Staatsoper and the Volksoper, the latter being devoted to the typical Viennese operetta.File:Vienna - Johann Strauss Monument in Stadt Park - 4572.jpg in the Stadtpark.]]Vienna has long been a hub for classical music, nurturing both native composers and musicians who moved there to work. Notable composers born in Vienna include Franz Schubert, Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Anton Webern, Joseph Lanner, Johann Strauss I, and Johann Strauss II. Violinist Fritz Kreisler and electronic music pioneer Louie Austen also hail from the city.
Many influential composers relocated to Vienna, including Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Franz Liszt, Gustav Mahler, Anton Bruckner, and Antonio Salieri. The city also hosted premieres of operas such as Fidelio, Die Fledermaus, The Gypsy Baron, The Magic Flute, and The Marriage of Figaro.
Vienna continues to be a center for classical performances, with venues like the Wiener Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, famous for its annual New Year's Concert, and the Wiener Konzerthaus, headquarters of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. Many concerts cater to tourists, featuring music by Mozart and the Strauss family.
Up until 2005, the Theater an der Wien hosted premieres of musicals, but since 2006 (a year dedicated to the 250th anniversary of Mozart's birth), has devoted itself to opera again, becoming a stagione opera house offering one new production each month. Since 2012, Theater an der Wien has taken over the Wiener Kammeroper, a historical small theater in the first district of Vienna seating 300 spectators, turning it into its second venue for smaller-sized productions and chamber operas created by the young ensemble of Theater an der Wien (JET). Before 2005, the most successful musical was Elisabeth, which was later translated into several languages and performed around the world. The Wiener Taschenoper is dedicated to stage music of the 20th and 21st century. The Haus der Musik museum ("House of Music") opened in 2000.
Founded in 1963 and located in Josefstadt, the Vienna’s English Theatre (VET) is the oldest English-language theater in continental Europe
File:Wien - Mozartdenkmal (1).JPG in the Burggarten.]]
= Popular music =
Vienna has made significant contributions to pop music, with pioneers of Austropop such as Georg Danzer, Rainhard Fendrich, Wolfgang Ambros, and Peter Cornelius. Willi Resetarits lived in the city from the age of three. The internationally best-known Viennese artist was Falco, whose song ”Rock Me Amadeus” is the only German-language song to reach number 1 on the American Billboard Hot 100, which it held for three weeks in 1986. His other hits, such as “Der Kommissar” and “Jeanny” also charted internationally. The founder of the American jazz fusion band Weather Report and Miles Davis collaborator, Joe Zawinul, was born in Vienna and studied music at the Conservatory of Vienna. File:Vienna 2007-04-16 Stadthalle Georg Danzer und Freunde (A3).jpg in 2007.]]Current artists include Rapper RAF Camora, who grew up in the district of Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus and often emphasizes his ties to his home in his lyrics, as well as hip-hop-musician Yung Hurn and indie pop band Wanda.
Multiple popular songs have been written about Vienna, such as "Vienna" (1977) by Billy Joel, "Vienna" (1981) by Ultravox, and "Vienna Calling" by Falco.
The Wienerlied is a unique song genre from Vienna. They are sung in Viennese dialect and often center around the city. There are approximately 60,000 – 70,000 Wienerlieder.
Every year the Donauinsel stages the Donauinselfest, the largest open-air music festival in the world, with approximately 3 million attendees over three days.{{Cite news |date=4 July 2018 |title=Music festivals: What's the world's biggest? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-44697302 |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=21 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921205721/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-44697302 |url-status=live }} The festival is organized by the SPÖ Wien and is free to enter.{{Cite web |title=Willkommen |url=https://donauinselfest.at/willkommen/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=Donauinselfest 2023 vom 23. – 25. Juni 2023 |language=de |archive-date=30 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930055720/https://donauinselfest.at/willkommen/ |url-status=live }} The Vienna Jazz Festival has taken place almost every year since 1991 and has featured artists such as Nina Simone, Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ravi Shankar.
= Cinema =
Films set in Vienna include Amadeus, Before Sunrise, The Third Man, The Living Daylights and Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation.
Notable actors born in the city include Hedy Lamarr, Christoph Waltz, Christiane Hörbiger, Eric Pohlmann, Boris Kodjoe, Christine Buchegger, Senta Berger, and Christine Ostermayer. Many filmmakers, such as Michael Haneke and Fritz Lang, were born in Vienna. Billy Wilder and Otto Preminger also lived in the city, with Preminger studying and beginning his career there.
Vienna's cinemas include the Apollo Kino and Cineplexx Donauzentrum and many English language cinemas, including the Haydn Kino, Artis International and the Burg Kino, which screens The Third Man, a 1949 film set in Vienna, three times a week.
Every October since 1960 the city has staged the Viennale, an international film festival which screens several different genres of films and many premieres.
= Literature =
Notable writers from Vienna include Carl Julius Haidvogel, Franz Grillparzer, and Stefan Zweig.
Writers who lived and worked in Vienna include Ingeborg Bachmann, Thomas Bernhard, Elias Canetti, Ernst von Feuchtersleben, Elfriede Jelinek, Franz Kafka, Karl Kraus, Robert Musil, Arthur Schnitzler, and Bertha von Suttner.
= Science =
File:Sigmund-Freud-Denkmal, MedUni Wien.jpg
Scientists and intellectuals who were born, lived or worked in Vienna include:
- Biology: Konrad Lorenz, Karl von Frisch, Max Perutz
- Computer Science: Heinz Zemanek
- Chemistry: Karl Kordesch, Walter Kohn, Carl and Gerti Cori, Richard Kuhn
- Economics (Austrian School of Economics): Eugen Böhm von Bawerk, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich Hayek, Rudolf Hilferding
- Engineering: Viktor Kaplan, Robert Adler, Paul Eisler, Siegfried Marcus
- Jurisprudence: Hans Kelsen, Karl Renner
- Mathematics: Kurt Gödel
- Medicine: Ignaz Semmelweis, Ferdinand von Hebra, Karl Landsteiner, Hans Asperger, Carl von Rokitansky, Julius Wagner-Jauregg, Robert Bárány, Theodor Billroth, Karl Koller
- Philosophy: Karl Popper, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Paul Feyerabend, Moritz Schlick
- Physics: Lise Meitner, Erwin Schrödinger, Wolfgang Pauli, Ludwig Boltzmann, Victor Franz Hess, Ernst Mach, Christian Doppler, Josef Stefan, Anton Zeilinger
- Psychology: Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Viktor Frankl
- Sociology: Karl Polanyi, Otto Bauer, Max Adler
= Museums =
File:Imperial Crown Orb and Sceptre of Austria (Imperial Treasury).jpg
The majority of museums in Vienna are located in an area on the border of Innere Stadt and Neubau in the center of the city, from the museums inside the Hofburg to the MuseumsQuartier, with the twin Naturhistorisches Museum and Kunsthistorisches Museum in between. This area is home to many museums such as:
- In and around the Hofburg:
- Imperial Treasury: A collection of European treasures, including the Imperial Regalia of the Holy Roman Emperor and the Imperial Crown of Austria
- Sisi Museum: Dedicated to Empress Elisabeth of Austria, allowing visitors to view the imperial apartments.
- Weltmuseum Wien: An anthropological museum housing many ethnographic objects from Africa, America, Asia and Oceania, such as Moctezuma's headdress.
- House of Austrian History
- Globe Museum
- Esperanto Museum and Collection of Planned Languages
- Austrian National Library
- Ephesos Museum
- Albertina: An art museum featuring approximately 65,000 drawings and one million old master prints, with works by Leonardo da Vinci, Claude Monet and Albrecht Dürer. Young Hare by Dürer is perhaps the most well-known painting in the museum.
File:Vienna - View of Maria Theresien-Platz and the Kunsthistorisches Museum - 6291.jpg on Maria-Theresien-Platz.]]
- On Maria-Theresien-Platz: Two almost identical buildings were completed in 1891 and opened by Emperor Franz Joseph I.
- Kunsthistorisches Museum: an art museum featuring works from artists such as Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Caravaggio, Albrecht Dürer, Raphael, Rembrandt, Titian and Vermeer. Notable works include The (Great) Tower of Babel and The Hunters in the Snow (both by Bruegel),
- Naturhistorisches Museum: A natural history museum with 30 million objects in its collection, of which 100,000 are on display. A notable exhibit is the Venus of Willendorf, a 25,000-year-old statue found in Austria.
File:Museumsquartier courtyard.jpg. ]]
- In the MuseumsQuartier: The former imperial stalls were converted to a group of museums in the late 1990s and opened in 2001.
- MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art): A modern and contemporary art museum housing works from artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and Pablo Picasso.
- Leopold Museum: A collection of modern Austrian art featuring works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt, as well as pieces from Vienna Secession, Viennese Modernism and Austrian Expressionism.
- Kunsthalle Wien
- ZOOM Kindermuseum
- Architekturzentrum Wien
The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere at the Belvedere presents art from Austria from the Middle Ages through the Baroque to the early 20th century, including The Kiss, Gustav Klimt's most famous work. It also houses the Baroque Museum with Franz Xaver Messerschmidt's famous character heads. In 2011, Belvedere 21 (formerly 21er Haus) was reopened in its immediate vicinity as a branch of contemporary art.
File:The Kiss - Gustav Klimt - Google Cultural Institute.jpg in the Belvedere.]]
The Vienna Museum documents the history of Vienna with a permanent presentation and temporary exhibitions and presents the memorials to Ludwig van Beethoven, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss. Other branches of the museum include the Hermesvilla in the Lainzer Tiergarten, the Vienna Clock Museum, the Roman Museum and the Prater Museum.
The former imperial summer residence at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna's most visited attraction, is set up as a museum with the palace's showrooms and the Imperial Carriage Museum.
The Museum of Military History in the Arsenal is the leading museum of the Austrian Armed Forces and documents the history of the Austrian military with exhibits including weapons, armour, tanks, aircraft, uniforms, battle flags, paintings, medals and decorations, photographs, battleship models and documents.
File:Arsenal Heeresgeschichtliches Museum-DSC 7920w.jpg
Other museums in the city include:
- House of Music, a music museum in the former palace of Archduke Charles, where Otto Nicolai, founder of the Vienna Philharmonic, once lived.
- Haus des Meeres, a public aquarium in a WWII flak tower.
- Museum of Art Fakes
- KunstHausWien
- Museum of Applied Arts
- Liechtenstein Museum
- Sigmund Freud Museum, a museum about Freud’s life at his old residence.
- Mozarthaus Vienna
- Dritte Mann Museum, centered around the 1949 British film The Third Man, set in post-World War II Vienna
- Liechtenstein Museum
- Jewish Museum Vienna, founded in 1896, the oldest of its kind.
- Money Museum, owned by the Austrian National Bank
- Museum of illusions
= Architecture =
File:Otto Wagner Pavillon - Karlsplatz.jpg, designed in Art Nouveau style.]]
A variety of architectural styles have been preserved in Vienna, including Romanesque and Baroque architecture. The Vienna Secession, an art movement closely related to Art Nouveau, has left many architectural traces in Vienna. The Secession building, Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station, and the Kirche am Steinhof by Otto Wagner rank among the best-known examples of Art Nouveau in the world.
The Wiener Moderne shunned the use of extraneous adornment. Architect Adolf Loos is responsible for the Looshaus (1909), the Kärntner Bar (1908), and the Steiner House (1910).
The Hundertwasserhaus by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, designed to counter the clinical look of modern architecture, is one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions. Hundertwasser also designed the KunstHausWien and the District Heating Plant in Alsergrund.
In the 1990s, a number of quarters were adapted and extensive building projects were implemented in the areas around Donaustadt and Wienerberg. Vienna has seen numerous architectural projects completed which combine modern architectural elements with old buildings, such as the remodeling and revitalization of the old Gasometer in 2001.
The DC Towers are located on the northern bank of the Danube and were completed in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.skyscraperpicture.com/vienna.htm |title=Vienna's 10 tallest skyscrapers |publisher=Skyscraperpicture.com |date=13 May 2008 |access-date=13 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130015638/http://skyscraperpicture.com/vienna.htm |archive-date=30 November 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=millenniumtower-vienna-austria |access-date=19 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070217064200/http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=millenniumtower-vienna-austria |url-status=usurped |archive-date=17 February 2007 |title=Millennium Tower | Buildings |location=Vienna |publisher=Emporis }}
= Places of worship =
File:Wien - Ruprechtskirche.JPG
Due to the prevalence of Christianity in the city, most places of worship are churches and cathedrals. Most notable are:
- St. Rupert's Church (ca. 800), considered the oldest church in the city.
- St. Stephen's Cathedral (1137), the Gothic mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna, one of the city's most recognizable symbols. Located in the Stephansplatz in the center of town, it is a popular tourist attraction.
- Schottenkirche (12th century), founded by Irish Benedictine monks as the parish church of the Schottenstift.
- Maria am Gestade (1414), one of Vienna's oldest churches and an example of Gothic architecture.
- Capuchin Church (1632), home to the Imperial Crypt, the burial site of many members of the Habsburg family.
- Karlskirche (1737), a Baroque church in the Karlsplatz and a popular tourist attraction.
- Peterskirche (early 18th century), located near the Graben and a major tourist destination.
- Votivkirche (1879), built on the Ringstraße as an expression of gratitude after Emperor Franz Joseph survived an assassination attempt in 1853.
- St. Francis of Assisi Church (1910), a Basilica-style church on the bank of the Danube on the Mexikoplatz, is administered by the Order of the Holy Trinity.
Other notable churches include the Augustinian Church, the Church of St. Maria Rotunda, the Church of St. Leopold, the Franciscan Church, the Jesuit Church and the Minoritenkirche.
Vienna's biggest mosque is the Vienna Islamic Center in Kaisermühlen, which is financed by the Muslim World League. The mosque features a 32-meter-high minaret and a dome 16 meters high, with a 20-meter radius.{{Cite web |title=Islamic Center - Mosque |url=https://www.wien.info/en/see-do/sights-from-a-to-z/islamic-center-349172 |access-date=15 September 2024 |website=vienna.info |language=en |archive-date=15 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240915211754/https://www.wien.info/en/see-do/sights-from-a-to-z/islamic-center-349172 |url-status=live }} In addition, there are over 100 further mosques in the city.{{Cite web |last=LL |date=26 June 2024 |title=108 Moscheen in Wien – dieser Bezirk hat die meisten |url=https://www.heute.at/s/108-moscheen-in-wien-dieser-bezirk-hat-die-meisten-120044669 |access-date=15 September 2024 |website=Heute.at |language=de |archive-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914110510/https://www.heute.at/s/108-moscheen-in-wien-dieser-bezirk-hat-die-meisten-120044669 |url-status=live }}
Before the November pogroms of 1938, also known as the Kristallnacht, Vienna had 24 synagogues and 78 prayer houses. Only one synagogue, the Stadttempel, survived the destruction.{{Cite web |title=Die ehemaligen Synagogen Wiens |url=https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/2000140603751/die-ehemaligen-synagogen-wiens |access-date=15 September 2024 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211203631/https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/2000140603751/die-ehemaligen-synagogen-wiens |url-status=live }}
= Ball dances =
The first balls in Vienna were held in the 18th century. The ball season takes place annually during Carnival, running from 11 November to Shrove Tuesday. Many balls are held in the Hofburg, Rathaus and Musikverein. Guests adhere to a strict dress code, men are required to wear black or white tie, while women must wear ball gowns. Debutants of the ball wear white.{{cite web |url=http://b2b.wien.info/media/files-b2b/artikel-db-baelle-en.doc |title=Balls in Vienna |author=Vienna Tourist Board |access-date=21 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906093826/http://b2b.wien.info/media/files-b2b/artikel-db-baelle-en.doc |archive-date=6 September 2015 }}
The balls are opened with dances, traditionally including a Viennese waltz, at around 22:00, and close at about 05:00 the next morning. Food served at the balls includes sausages with bread, and goulash.
Notable Viennese balls include the Vienna Opera Ball, the Vienna Ball of Sciences, the Wiener Akademikerball and the Hofburg Silvesterball.
The Wiener Akademikerball in the Hofburg has attracted lots of controversy for being a gathering for far-right politicians and groups. The ball is hosted by the FPÖ, the right-wing populist party of Austria and has attracted multiple right-wing and far-right personalities, such as Martin Sellner and Marine Le Pen. Since 2008, annual demonstrations organized by various groups have protested against the event. Former leader of the FPÖ Heinz-Christian Strache compared anti-fascist protesters to a Nazi mob, alleging that the ball attendees were being treated as "new Jews".{{Cite web |last=Shields |first=Michael |date=6 February 2012 |title=Austria far-right leader hurt by "new Jews" comment |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE8150UF/ }}{{Cite web |last=Shields |first=Michael |date=24 January 2014 |title=Protesters arrested at right-wing party's Vienna ball |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/vienna-ball-right/protesters-arrested-at-right-wing-partys-vienna-ball-idUKL5N0KY3E820140124/ }}
= Language =
Vienna is part of the Austro-Bavarian language area, in particular Central Bavarian (Mittelbairisch).{{cite book |last1=Wiesinger |first1=Peter |title=Strukturelle historische Dialektologie des Deutschen |date=2017 |publisher=Georg Olms Verlag |isbn=9783487421995 |page=50 }} The Viennese dialect takes many loanword from languages of the former Habsburg Monarchy, especially Czech. The dialect differs from the west of Austria in its pronunciation and grammar. Features typical of Viennese German include Monophthongization, the transformation of a diphthong into a monophthong (German heiß (hot) into Viennese haas) and the lengthening of vowels (Heeaasd, i bin do ned bleeed, wooos waaasn ii, wea des woooa (Standard German Hörst du, ich bin doch nicht blöd, was weiß denn ich, wer das war): "Listen, I'm not stupid; what do I know, who that was?"). Speakers of the dialect tend to avoid the genitive case.{{Cite web |title=Phonetics and Phonology of the Viennese Dialect |url=https://www.oeaw.ac.at/isf/forschung/projekte/phonetik/abgeschlossene-projekte/phonetics-and-phonology-of-the-viennese-dialect |access-date=5 April 2024 |website=www.oeaw.ac.at |archive-date=5 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240405224625/https://www.oeaw.ac.at/isf/forschung/projekte/phonetik/abgeschlossene-projekte/phonetics-and-phonology-of-the-viennese-dialect |url-status=live }}
= LGBT =
File:Viele Menschen mit Regenbogenfahnen bei der Vienna Pride 2021 (51263075454).jpg
Vienna is regarded as the center of LGBTQ+ life in Austria.{{Cite web |title=For LGBT |url=https://www.wien.info/en/all-of-vienna/gay-lesbian |access-date=7 August 2022 |website=vienna.info |url-status=live |archive-date=13 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813190713/https://www.wien.info/en/all-of-vienna/gay-lesbian }} The city has implemented an action plan against homophobic discrimination and has maintained an anti-discrimination unit within its administration since 1998.{{Cite web |title=Viennese Antidiscrimination Unit for Lesbian, Gay and Transgender Issues |url=https://rm.coe.int/1680488fd3 |access-date=8 August 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=7 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220807161020/https://rm.coe.int/1680488fd3 }} The city has several cafés, bars, and clubs frequented by the LGBTQ+ community, including the Café Savoy, a traditional coffee house established in 1896. In 2015, ahead of hosting the Eurovision Song Contest, Vienna introduced traffic lights featuring same-sex couples, attracting international media attention.{{Cite news |title=Vienna's traffic lights are now gay-themed |newspaper=The Washington Post |issn=0190-8286 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/05/12/viennas-traffic-lights-are-now-gay-themed/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |url-status=live |archive-date=6 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306052500/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/05/12/viennas-traffic-lights-are-now-gay-themed/ }} Multiple rainbow crossings are dotted around the city. Vienna's Pride Parade is held every June. In 2019, when the parade hosted Europride, it attracted around 500,000 visitors.{{Cite web |last=red |first=wien ORF at/Agenturen |date=15 June 2019 |title=Halbe Million bei Regenbogenparade |url=https://wien.orf.at/stories/3000508/ |access-date=7 August 2022 |website=wien.ORF.at |language=de |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926020137/https://wien.orf.at/stories/3000508/ |archive-date=26 September 2019 }}
Social infrastructure
= Schools =
File:Wien 12 GRG 12 Rosasgasse b.jpg
As of the 2022/2023 school year, there were 457 compulsory education schools in Vienna, including 303 primary schools and 140 middle schools. Additionally, there are 98 high schools, 90 of which also include middle school education. Around 250,000 children are enrolled in the Viennese school system, which is staffed by almost 29,000 teachers.
Due partly to the numerous international offices in the city, Vienna is home to many international schools, including the Vienna International School, the American International School, the International Christian School and the Lycée Français de Vienne.
= Universities =
File:University Vienna Oct. 2006 002.jpg]]With 197,209 students enrolled in the winter semester of 2023/2024, Vienna has the largest student population of any city in the German-speaking world.{{Cite web |title=Wien ist die größte Uni-Stadt im deutschen Sprachraum |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20130908_OTS0009/wien-ist-die-groesste-uni-stadt-im-deutschen-sprachraum |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=OTS.at |language=de}}
The city is home to several historic universities. The University of Vienna, the oldest and largest university in the German-speaking world, was founded in 1365 by Duke Rudolph IV. Its medical faculty became independent as the Medical University of Vienna in 2004. Other prominent institutions include the Academy of Fine Arts (1692), the University of Veterinary Medicine (1765), and the University of Music and Performing Arts (1767). The 19th century saw the founding of the Vienna University of Technology (TU), the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences (BOKU) and the University of Economics and Business (WU). The University of Applied Arts, founded in 1867, gained university status in 1970. File:Friedrich von Schiller.JPG in front of the Academy of Fine Arts|left]]In addition to these public universities, Vienna also hosts several private universities, including Webster Vienna Private University, the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna and, since 2019, the Central European University, as well as several universities of applied sciences.
= Libraries =
File:Hauptbücherei Wien.jpgVienna's public library system, the Wiener Büchereien, comprises 39 lending libraries, including the Hauptbücherei (Main Library), which serves as the central hub. Located at Urban-Loritz-Platz along the Gürtel, it sits at the intersection of the districts Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus and Neubau.{{Cite web |title=Main Public Library |url=https://www.wien.info/en/art-culture/architecture/public-library-355990 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=vienna.info |language=en}} Alongside books, the libraries offer CDs, DVDs, computer games, cassettes, magazines, and digital ebooks, as well as study spaces and literary events.{{Cite web |title=Die Hauptbibliothek Wien lädt zum Verweilen ein |url=https://www.wien.info/de/kunst-kultur/architektur/hauptbibliothek-347568 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=wien.info |language=de}}
Beyond its public libraries, Vienna hosts several academic and research libraries. The Austrian National Library, situated in the Hofburg, is the largest in the country and holds extensive historical and cultural collections.{{Cite web |title=Die Österreichische Nationalbibliothek setzt auch auf KI |url=https://www.derstandard.at/consent/tcf/story/3000000244926/die-oesterreichische-nationalbibliothek-setzt-auch-auf-ki |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=DER STANDARD |language=de-AT}} Other institutions include the Vienna University Library, the Vienna City Library in the Rathaus, and the libraries of major universities such as the University of Economics and Business, the Technical University, and the Medical University.{{Cite web |title=English {{!}} Wienbibliothek im Rathaus |url=https://www.wienbibliothek.at/english |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.wienbibliothek.at}} Additionally, the city is home to specialized libraries, including the Social Science Study Library of the Chamber of Labour and the Parliamentary Library, which cater to specific fields of research and policy.{{Cite web |title=WU (Vienna University of Economics and Business) |url=https://www.wu.ac.at/en/universitaet/organisation/interessensvertretungen/betriebsrat-fuer-das-wissenschaftliche-personal/newsletter/br-info-7-2023/allgemeine-informationen-zur-arbeiterkammer-in-oesterreich |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.wu.ac.at |language=en}}
= Healthcare =
File:Alsergrund (Wien) - AKH, Haupteingang.JPG
In 2020, Vienna had 729.3 hospital beds and 696.8 doctors per 100,000 inhabitants. The General Hospital (Allgemeines Krankenhaus, known as AKH) in Alsergrund is the largest hospital in Austria and serves as the teaching hospital for the Medical University of Vienna.{{Cite web |title=Universitätsklinikum AKH Wien |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Universit%C3%A4tsklinikum_AKH_Wien |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |language=de}} The city is home to 7 public hospitals and 8 care homes managed by the municipality, in addition to 17 privately operated non-profit hospitals and numerous private healthcare facilities.{{Cite web |title=Kliniken der Stadt Wien |url=https://gesundheitsverbund.at/kliniken/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Wiener Gesundheitsverbund |language=de}}
= Social institutions =
The first social institutions in Vienna were established in the early 20th century. Due to widespread poverty, the first homeless shelters and men's hostels were built, such as the one opened in 1905 on Meldemannstraße, where the young Adolf Hitler lived from 1910 to 1913.{{Cite web |last=Prescott |first=Julian |date=2024-08-27 |title=From Vagrant to Führer: Hitler's Dark Days in Vienna |url=https://sickhistory.com/hitlers-dark-days-in-vienna/ |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=Sick History |language=en-US}} Today, approximately 200,000 people in Vienna live below the poverty line. Non-profit organizations such as Volkshilfe and Caritas provide support.{{Cite web |title=Caritas |url=https://www.spendeninfo.at/caritas+2400+1112003 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.spendeninfo.at |language=de}} Caritas operates the homeless shelter "Die Gruft" in Mariahilf, which has been in existence since 1986.{{Cite web |title=20 Jahre Gruft: Ein Ort für obdachlose Menschen in Wien |url=https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20061106_OTS0058/20-jahre-gruft-ein-ort-fuer-obdachlose-menschen-in-wien |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=OTS.at |language=de}} Streetwork services are offered to young people, and the Wiener Sozialdienste (Vienna Social Services) carry out a range of charitable tasks.
= ''Gemeindebauten'' =
File:Floridsdorf (Wien) - Karl-Seitz-Hof (2).JPG
Gemeindebauten are public housing complexes owned by the city, primarily constructed during the period of Red Vienna in the early 20th century, as part of a large-scale social housing program aimed at providing affordable homes to working-class families. Famous examples include Karl-Marx-Hof. As symbols of socialism, these buildings are often named after socialist or social-democratic politicians such as Friedrich Engels, Ferdinand Lassalle, Olof Palme, and Victor Adler. Additionally, some are named after other notable figures, including George Marshall, Dag Hammarskjöld, and George Washington. The Gemeindebauten often featured additional community facilities, such as municipal libraries, daycare centers, laundromats, indoor pools, and shopping centers. The classic Gemeindebauten from the interwar period are typically designed in block perimeter development, with a large entrance gate leading to an inner courtyard, featuring a green space with playgrounds. They continue to serve as affordable housing to this day.{{Cite web |title=Gemeindebau |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Gemeindebau |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |language=de}}{{Cite web |title=Wiens wichtigste Gemeindebauten |url=https://www.wien.info/de/kunst-kultur/rotes-wien/gemeindebauten-346722 |access-date=2025-03-04 |website=wien.info |language=de}}
Nature
= Parks =
On the southeastern outer border of the Ringstraße lies the Stadtpark. The park covers an area of about 28 acres and is split in half by the Wien river. It contains monuments to various Viennese artists, most notably the gilded bronze monument of Johann Strauß II.{{Cite web |title=The Prater: amusement park |url=https://www.visitingvienna.com/entertainment/wurstelprater-amusement-park/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.visitingvienna.com }} On the other side of the Ring is the Burggarten, just behind the Hofburg, which features a monument to Mozart as well as a greenhouse. On the other side of the Hofburg is the Volksgarten, home to a small-scale replica of the Temple of Hephaestus and a cultivated flower garden. On the other side of the road, in front of the Rathaus, is the Rathauspark, which hosts the Christmas Christkindlmarkt.
The Prater is a large public park in Leopoldstadt. Within the park is the Wurstelprater (colloquially known as “the Prater”), a public amusement park that contains the Wiener Riesenrad, a 64.75 meter tall Ferris Wheel, along with various rides, roller coasters, carousels and a Madame Tussauds. The rest of the park is covered by forest. The Hauptallee, a wide, car-free alley lined with horse chestnut trees, runs through the park.{{Cite web |last=ktv_creitmayr |title=Grüner Prater |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/prater.html |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=de |archive-date=8 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200855/https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/prater.html |url-status=live }} Eliud Kipchoge broke the marathon distance record on this road in the INEOS 1:59 Challenge in October 2019.{{Cite news |date=12 October 2019 |title=Eliud Kipchoge breaks two-hour marathon mark by 20 seconds |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/50025543 |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=12 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012082335/https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/50025543 |url-status=live }} The Prater also is home to the Liliputbahn, a railway line primarily used by tourists, and a planetarium.{{Cite web |title=Lilis Welt – Vergnügungsbetriebe seit 1928 |url=https://www.liliswelt.at/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=de-DE |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319203934/https://www.liliswelt.at/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Vienna Planetarium |url=https://www.wien.info/en/see-do/sights-from-a-to-z/planetarium-355388 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=vienna.info |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184226/https://www.wien.info/en/see-do/sights-from-a-to-z/planetarium-355388 |url-status=live }} It was the location of the 1873 Vienna World's Fair.{{Cite web |title=1873 Vienna |url=https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/1873-vienna |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.bie-paris.org |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184226/https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/1873-vienna |url-status=live }} In 1931, the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, formerly known as the Praterstadion, was opened in the Prater.{{Cite web |date=16 June 2008 |title=Ernst-Happel-Stadion - Sportstätte der Stadt Wien |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/freizeit/sportamt/sportstaetten/stadien/happel.htm |access-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616063204/http://www.wien.gv.at/freizeit/sportamt/sportstaetten/stadien/happel.htm |archive-date=16 June 2008 }}{{Cite web |last=Schreef |first=Wojciech |date=14 September 2017 |title=Ernst Happel Stadion - Vienna - The Stadium Guide |url=https://www.stadiumguide.com/ernsthappel/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=nl |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227031903/http://www.stadiumguide.com/ernsthappel/ |url-status=live }}
The grounds of the imperial Schönbrunn Palace contain an 18th-century park which includes the Schönbrunn Zoo, which was founded in 1752, making it the world's oldest zoo still in operation.{{Cite web |date=6 October 2020 |title=The Oldest Zoos in the World You Can Still Visit Today - tiqets.com |url=https://www.tiqets.com/blog/oldest-zoos-in-the-world/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184227/https://www.tiqets.com/blog/oldest-zoos-in-the-world/ |url-status=live }} The zoo is one of the few to house giant pandas.{{Cite web |title=A trip to Schönbrunn Zoo – Vienna Zoo |url=https://www.zoovienna.at/en/zoo-and-visitors/trip-schonbrunn-zoo/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.zoovienna.at |language=en |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521032825/https://www.zoovienna.at/en/zoo-and-visitors/trip-schonbrunn-zoo/ |url-status=live }} The park also features the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn, a large greenhouse with around 4,500 plant species.
File:Gefechtsturm Augarten Sept 2020 14.jpg
The Augarten in Leopoldstadt, on the border of Brigittenau, is a 129-acre French Baroque-style public park open during the day. The park is home to flower gardens and multiple tree-lined avenues. The park was opened in 1775 by Joseph II and is surrounded by a wall with five gates, which are shut at night. The baroque Palais Augarten, in the south of the park, is home to the Vienna Boys' Choir. Towering over the park are two anti-aircraft flak towers, built by the Nazis in 1944. After the war, the towers were unable to be destroyed, so they were left standing. They now stand empty and serve no function, though various other such towers in the city were repurposed, such as the Haus des Meeres in Esterhazy Park.
The Donauinsel, part of Vienna's flood defences, is a {{cvt|21.1|km|1}} long artificial island between the Danube and New Danube dedicated to leisure activities. It was constructed from 1972 to 1988 for flood protection measures.{{Cite web |title=Danube Island |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/environment/waterbodies/danube-island/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184229/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/environment/waterbodies/danube-island/ |url-status=live }} Sporting amenities, such as volleyball courts, playgrounds, skate spots, dog parks, and multiple toilet facilities, some with showers, are available on the island. To transform the island into a green space, approximately 1.8 million trees and shrubs, along with 170 hectares of forest, were planted.{{Cite web |date=29 September 2007 |title=Archivmeldung: MA 22: Artenparadies Donauinsel |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/vtx/vtx-rk-xlink?SEITE=020060612016 |access-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929123312/http://www.wien.gv.at/vtx/vtx-rk-xlink?SEITE=020060612016 |archive-date=29 September 2007 }} A few hundred Japanese cherry trees were planted as a symbol of friendship between Austria and Japan. Animals on the island include sand lizards and Danube crested newts.{{Cite web |title=Donauinsel als Lebensraum für seltene Pflanzen und Tiere |website=www.wien.gv.at |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/gewaesser/donauinsel/oekologie/nischen.html |access-date=14 September 2024 |language=de |archive-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914120711/https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/gewaesser/donauinsel/oekologie/nischen.html |url-status=live }}
File:Donaupark & Donauturm Vienna 2024.jpg
The Donaupark is a 63-hectare park in Kaisermühlen, Donaustadt, between the New Danube and the Old Danube, next to the Vienna International Centre. The park features the Donauturm, the tallest structure in Austria at 252 meters, as well as a 40-meter tall steel cross, erected in 1983 on the occasion of a holy mass held by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Austria. The park features memorials to multiple Latin American figures such as Salvador Allende, Simón Bolívar, and Che Guevara.
Other parks include the Türkenschanzpark, the Schweizergarten, and the Waldmüllerpark.
= Woods =
The Lobau, a floodplain in the southeast of the city, is a part of the wider Danube-Auen National Park. It is used for recreation and has many nudist areas. It is home to multiple species of animals:{{Cite web |title=Geschützte Tierarten in der Lobau |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/wald/erholung/nationalpark/lebensraum/tiere.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630035305/https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/wald/erholung/nationalpark/lebensraum/tiere.html |archive-date=30 June 2024 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=de}}
- Mammals: beavers, deer, European hares, Eurasian water shrews
- Reptiles: European pond turtles, slow worm, grass snake
- Amphibians: European tree frogs, European fire-bellied toad
- Fish: pigo, rhodeus, white-finned gudgeon
- Birds: grey herons, cormorants, common kingfishers, white-tailed eagles
In the west of the city is the Lainzer Tiergarten, a 24.5 km² public nature reserve, of which 19.5 km² is woodland.{{Cite web |date=6 July 2006 |title=Lage, Größe, Geologie und Klima des Lainzer Tiergartens |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/wald/lainz-tg/lage.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706124041/http://www.wien.gv.at/wald/lainz-tg/lage.htm |archive-date=6 July 2006 |access-date=30 August 2024}} The park was created in 1561 by Emperor Ferdinand I, who used it as a private hunting ground. After the fall of the monarchy, the Austrian government declared it a public nature reserve. Since 1973, admission has been free of charge. The reserve is home to many wild boar, fallow deer, red deer, and European mouflons, as well as 18 species of bats.{{Cite web |title=Lainzer Tiergarten - Lebensraum für Wildtiere |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/wald/erholung/lainzertiergarten/lebensraum/wildtiere.html |access-date=30 August 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=de}}
= Cemeteries =
File:Zentralfriedhof Ludwig van Beethoven.JPG in the Central Cemetery.|left]]
Vienna has 55 cemeteries, 46 managed by the city and the rest by religious communities.{{Cite web |title=Cemeteries in Vienna |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture-history/religion/cemeteries.html |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=en |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808233211/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture-history/religion/cemeteries.html |url-status=live }}
The largest cemetery in the city is the Vienna Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof). Spanning 2.4 km², it holds over 330,000 graves and about 3 million interments. Opened in 1874, the cemetery includes Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish sections. Notable figures buried here include Ludwig van Beethoven, Falco, Bruno Kreisky, Hedy Lamarr, and all Austrian presidents who have passed away since World War II. The cemetery is also a habitat for wildlife, including deer, badgers, and martens. Most notably, European hamsters thrive here, feeding on plants around the headstones. The grounds feature numerous memorials, including those dedicated to the casualties of the Revolutions of 1848, the July Revolt of 1927, and the victims of the Nazi regime.
St. Marx Cemetery, now closed, is the final resting place of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Other notable cemeteries include those in Grinzing and Hietzing, as well as the Jewish Cemetery in Roßau.
= Rivers =
== Danube ==
File:Vienna_20021024_(cropped).JPG
Vienna is the largest city on the Danube, which flows from the north and exits to the southeast.
File:Karte_Donaudurchstich.jpg
Until 1870, the Danube in Vienna remained unregulated, with the river flowing through multiple branching side arms, making the area highly susceptible to flooding. The first major Danube regulation project involved cutting a new, straight main channel to improve flood control and navigation. As part of the project, the arm that ran closer to the city center was preserved and is now known as the Donaukanal (Danube Canal). Additionally, another former arm north of the river was transformed into an oxbow lake, today called the Alte Donau (Old Danube).{{Cite web |title=Donauregulierung 1870-1876 |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Donauregulierung_1870-1876 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |language=de}}
Despite these measures, Vienna remained vulnerable to flooding. To further mitigate flood risks, a second Danube regulation was undertaken starting in the 1970s. This project involved the construction of a parallel flood relief channel, the Neue Donau (New Danube), designed to divert excess water during high discharge periods. The excavated material from this project was used to create the Donauinsel (Danube Island), a long, narrow artificial island situated between the New Danube and the regulated main river. The effectiveness of these flood protection measures was demonstrated during the 2024 European floods, when Vienna remained largely unaffected.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-20 |title='Our plan worked': How Vienna prepared itself for a 5,000-year flood |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240920-our-plan-worked-how-vienna-prepared-itself-for-a-5000-year-flood |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}
The four parts of the Danube:
- The main Danube is the widest of the river’s branches and serves as the primary route for shipping.
- The Neue Donau (New Danube) is a side channel located to the east of the main river, running for approximately 21 kilometers. The water flows more slowly than in the main Danube, making it ideal for water sports such as swimming, rowing, and sailing. Motorboats are prohibited in this section.
- The Alte Donau (Old Danube) is a lake situated to the east of the New Danube, which effectively separates Kaisermühlen from the rest of the city. This lake is a popular recreational area for swimming, with freely accessible piers and beaches. Motorboats and pedalos are permitted on the lake and can be rented from nearby vendors.
- The Donaukanal (Danube Canal) branches off from the main river and re-enters close to the southern and northern edges of the city. Unlike the main river, it flows through the city center. While primarily used by boats, the paths along both sides of the canal are popular among pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists.
{{Gallery|File:Wien - Neue Donau.JPG|The New Danube in the front, the main Danube in the back, with the Donauinsel in-between.|File:Alte Donau Wien.jpg|The Old Danube|File:Schwedenbrücke Donaukanal Wien 2012 04.jpg|The Donaukanal by Schwedenplatz at night|title=|align=center|footer=|style=|state=|height=|width=|perrow=|mode=packed|whitebg=|noborder=|captionstyle=|alt1=|alt2=}}
== Wien ==
File:Wienflussportal beim Stadtpark.JPG
The Wien River (Wienfluss) is a 34-kilometer-long tributary of the Danube, with approximately half of its course flowing through Vienna. It originates in the Vienna Woods (Wienerwald) and flows eastward through the city, ultimately joining the Donaukanal. Historically, the river was prone to flooding, which prompted several regulatory measures and modifications, including the canalisation of its course in the 19th century. Today, much of the Wien River is contained within underground channels in the urban area. It enters Vienna in Penzing, flowing above ground past Schönbrunn Palace before being covered by the Naschmarkt. The river reemerges in the Stadtpark in the 1st district, before flowing into the Donaukanal.{{Cite web |title=Wienfluss |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Wienfluss#Verlauf |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |language=de}}
Sport
= Football =
File:Vienna allianz stadion.jpg
The city is home to numerous football clubs. The two biggest teams are FK Austria Wien (21 Austrian Bundesliga titles and a record 27-time cup winners), who play at the Generali Arena in Favoriten, and SK Rapid Wien (a record 32 Austrian Bundesliga titles), who play at the Allianz Stadion in Penzing. The oldest team in Austria, First Vienna FC, and Floridsdorfer AC both play in the 2. Liga, while the football team of the Wiener Sport-Club, one of the oldest athletics clubs in the country, play in the Austrian Regionalliga East, the third division.
File:Ernst-happel-stadion vienna.jpg
The Ernst-Happel-Stadion is the largest stadium in Austria with 50,865 seats, and serves as the home stadium of the Austria national football team. It has hosted multiple European Cup finals (1963–64, 1986–87, 1989–90, 1994–95), as well as seven matches during the 2008 European Championship, including the final, which saw Spain secure a 1–0 victory over Germany.
= Other sports =
Other sports clubs include the Vikings Vienna (American football), who won the Eurobowl title four times in a row between 2004 and 2007 and had a perfect season in 2013, the Hotvolleys Vienna (volleyball), the Vienna Wanderers (baseball), who won the 2012 and 2013 Championship of the Austrian Baseball League, and the Vienna Capitals (ice hockey). The European Handball Federation (EHF) is headquartered in Vienna. There are also three rugby clubs in the city: Vienna Celtic, the oldest rugby club in Austria, RC Donau, and Stade Viennois.
File:Vienna City Marathon 2015 - Reichsbrücke (3).JPG crossing the Reichsbrücke in 2015]]
In addition to team sports, Vienna offers a wide range of individual sports. The paths in the Prater or along the Donauinsel are popular running routes. The Vienna City Marathon, which attracts more than 10,000 participants annually, typically takes place in May. Cyclists can choose from over 1,000 kilometers of cycle paths and numerous mountain bike trails in the Viennese mountains. Golf courses are available on the Wienerberg and in the Prater. The Vienna Open tennis tournament has taken place in the city since 1974. The matches are played on indoor hard courts in the Wiener Stadthalle. The City of Vienna also operates two ski slopes, one on the Hohe-Wand-Wiese and another on the Dollwiese.
The city submitted a bid to host the 1964 Summer Olympics but lost out to Tokyo.{{Cite web |date=2008-05-25 |title=IOC VOTE HISTORY |url=http://www.aldaver.com/votes.html |access-date=2025-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080525070757/http://www.aldaver.com/votes.html |archive-date=25 May 2008 }}
Culinary specialities
= Food =
Vienna is well known for Wiener schnitzel, a cutlet of veal (Kalbsschnitzel), sometimes also made with pork (Schweinsschnitzel) or chicken (Hühnerschnitzel), that is pounded flat, coated in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, and fried in clarified butter. It is available in almost every restaurant that serves Viennese cuisine and can be eaten hot or cold. Other examples of Viennese cuisine include Tafelspitz (very lean boiled beef), which is traditionally served with Geröstete Erdäpfel (boiled potatoes that are sliced and pan-fried) and horseradish sauce, Apfelkren (a mixture of horseradish, cream and apple) and Schnittlauchsauce (a chives sauce made with mayonnaise and stale bread).
Vienna has a long tradition of producing cakes and desserts. These include Apfelstrudel (hot apple strudel), Milchrahmstrudel (milk-cream strudel), Palatschinken (sweet pancakes), and Knödel (dumplings) often filled with fruit such as apricots (Marillenknödel). Sachertorte, a delicately moist chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and a chocolate glaze, created by the Sacher Hotel, is world-famous.
In winter, small street stands sell traditional Maroni (hot chestnuts) and potato fritters.
Sausages are popular and available from street vendors (Würstelstand) throughout the day and into the night. The sausage known as Wiener (German for Viennese) in the U.S. and in Germany is called a Frankfurter in Vienna. Other popular sausages are Burenwurst (a coarse beef and pork sausage, generally boiled), Käsekrainer (spicy pork with small chunks of cheese), and Bratwurst (a white pork sausage). These sausages either come with sliced bread or as a hot dog. Mustard is the traditional condiment and usually offered in two varieties: "süß" (sweet) or "scharf" (spicy).
Vienna ranked 10th in vegan friendly European cities in a study by Alternative Traveler in 2020.{{Cite web |url=https://www.alternativetravelers.com/vegan-friendly-cities-in-europe/ |title=Top 10 Vegan-Friendly Cities in Europe in 2020 |date=20 February 2020 |access-date=9 May 2022 |archive-date=25 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525171749/https://www.alternativetravelers.com/vegan-friendly-cities-in-europe/ |url-status=live }}
The Naschmarkt is a permanent market for fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, and meat, as well as a popular spot for international cuisine, with numerous small restaurants and food stalls offering dishes from around the world.
= Drinks =
File:Ottakringer Helles in a hotel room.jpg
Vienna is one of the few remaining world capitals with its own vineyards.{{cite web |url=https://www.austria.info/uk/things-to-do/food-and-drink/wine/vienna-the-wine-capital |title=Vienna: The Wine Capital |website=www.austria.info |access-date=20 May 2019 |archive-date=30 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191230111323/https://www.austria.info/uk/things-to-do/food-and-drink/wine/vienna-the-wine-capital |url-status=live }} The wine is served in small Viennese pubs known as Heuriger. The wine is often enjoyed as a Spritzer ("G'spritzter") with sparkling water. The Grüner Veltliner, a dry white wine, is the most widely cultivated wine in Austria.{{cite web |url=http://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-209-gruner-veltliner |title=Gruner Veltliner Wine |publisher=Wine-Searcher |access-date=2 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301165955/http://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-209-gruner-veltliner |archive-date=1 March 2014 |url-status=dead }} Another wine typical of the region is "Gemischter Satz", which is usually a blend of different grape varieties harvested from the same vineyard.{{Cite web |title=Vienna wine: Gemischter Satz |url=https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/gemischter-satz-awarded-346738 |website=Wien.info |access-date=4 June 2021 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604153753/https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/gemischter-satz-awarded-346738 |url-status=live }}
Beer is second in importance to wine. Vienna has a single large brewery, Ottakringer, and more than ten microbreweries. Ottakringer's most popular product is the Ottakringer Helles, a beer with an alcohol content of 5.2%. Vienna is home to many Beisln, small traditional Austrian pubs.
Local soft drinks, such as Almdudler, are popular across the country as an alternative to alcoholic beverages, ranking them among the top choices alongside American brands like Coca-Cola in terms of market share. Other popular drinks include Spezi, a mix between cola and orange lemonade, and Frucade, a German carbonated orange drink.
= Viennese cafés =
File:Palais Lieben-Auspitz Vienna.jpg
The Viennese coffee house (Kaffeehaus) dates back to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Vienna intelligentsia treated Viennese cafés like a living room.{{cite book |author1=Rick Rodgers |title=Kaffeehaus |publisher=Echo Point Books |year=2020 |page= |isbn=9781635619683 }} The first Viennese café was opened in 1685 by Armenian businessman Johannes Diodato. Café culture flourished in Vienna in the early 19th century.{{cite book |author1=Alysa Levene |title=Cake: A Slice of History |publisher=Headline |year=2016 |page= |isbn=9781472226839 }} Notable patrons included political figures such as Joseph Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Leon Trotsky, and Josip Broz Tito, who all lived in Vienna in 1913, as well as scientists, writers, and artists such as Sigmund Freud, Stefan Zweig, Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt.{{Cite news |date=20 March 2013 |title=1913: When Hitler, Trotsky, Tito, Freud and Stalin all lived in the same place |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21859771 |access-date=24 March 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319160752/https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-21859771 |url-status=live }}
Notable coffee houses include:
- Café Central: frequented by Hitler, Stalin, Tito, Trotsky, and Zweig
- Café Landtmann: frequented by Freud
- Café Sacher: part of the Hotel Sacher
= Heuriger =
File:Wien Heurigen-Lokal 2014 1.jpg
Vienna is one of the few major cities with its own wine-growing region. This wine is sold in taverns, so-called Heuriger, by the local winemakers during the growing season. The wine is often served as a Schorle, a mix of wine and carbonated water. The meals are simple and homemade, usually consisting of fresh bread, typically semmels, with local cold cuts and cheese, or Liptauer spread. The Heurigers are especially numerous in the areas of Döbling (Grinzing, Neustift am Walde, Nußdorf, Salmannsdorf, Sievering), Floridsdorf (Stammersdorf, Strebersdorf), Liesing (Mauer), and Favoriten (Oberlaa).{{Cite web |title=The Best Heuriger Vienna: An epic guide to the wine taverns of Vienna |url=https://austrianadaptation.com/blog/the-best-heuriger-vienna-an-epic-guide-to-the-wine-taverns-of-vienna |access-date=19 March 2024 |website=Austrian Adaptation |language=en-US |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319224907/https://austrianadaptation.com/blog/the-best-heuriger-vienna-an-epic-guide-to-the-wine-taverns-of-vienna |url-status=live }}
Transport
{{Main|Transport in Vienna}}
= Public transport =
Vienna has an extensive public transportation network. It consists predominantly of the Wiener Linien network (subway, tram and bus lines) and the S-Bahn lines belonging to the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB). As of 2023, 32% of the population of the city uses public transit as their main mode of transit.{{Cite web |date=22 March 2024 |title=Anteil der Radfahrer in Wien steigt |url=https://wien.orf.at/stories/3250117/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=wien.ORF.at |language=de }}
== U-Bahn ==
The Vienna metro system consists of five lines (U1, U2, U3, U4, U6) with the U5 currently under construction. The metro currently serves 98 stations and covers a distance of 83.5 kilometers.{{Cite web |title=U-Bahn |url=https://www.wien.info/de/reiseinfos/verkehr/ubahn-362202 |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=wien.info |language=de |archive-date=24 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240324054137/https://www.wien.info/de/reiseinfos/verkehr/ubahn-362202 |url-status=live }}
The services run from 05:00 to about 01:00 with intervals of two to five minutes during the day and up to eight minutes after 20:00. On Friday and Saturday evenings and on evenings before a public holiday they operate a 24-hour service at 15-minute intervals.{{Cite web |last=Prillinger |first=Horst |date=2017-09-12 |title=The Vienna Metro: Timetables |url=https://homepage.univie.ac.at/horst.prillinger/ubahn/english/timetables.html |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=The Vienna Metro |language=en}}
class="wikitable"
! Line ! Colour ! Route ! Length ! Stations |
{{ric|Wiener Linien|U1}}
| Red | {{stl|Wiener Linien|Oberlaa}} – {{stl|Wiener Linien|Leopoldau}} | 19.2 km (11.9 mi) | 24 |
{{ric|Wiener Linien|U2}}
| Purple | Karlsplatz – {{stl|Wiener Linien|Seestadt}} | 17.2 km (10.7 mi) | 20 |
{{ric|Wiener Linien|U3}}
| Orange | {{stl|Wiener Linien|Ottakring}} – {{stl|Wiener Linien|Simmering}} | 13.4 km (8.3 mi) | 21 |
{{ric|Wiener Linien|U4}}
| Green | {{stl|Wiener Linien|Hütteldorf}} – {{stl|Wiener Linien|Heiligenstadt}} | 16.4 km (10.2 mi) | 20 |
{{ric|Wiener Linien|U6}}
| Brown | {{stl|Wiener Linien|Siebenhirten}} – {{stl|Wiener Linien|Floridsdorf}} | 17.3 km (10.7 mi) | 24 |
{{Gallery|File:U-bahn-wien.jpg|Logo|File:Donaustadtbrücke rigardate de la stacio Donaumarina.jpg|The U2 crossing the Danube|File:U-Bahn, Linie U4, Schönbrunn (47951150056).jpg|Schönbrunn station|File:Wien U1.12 Nestroyplatz AG b.jpg|Entrance to Nestroyplatz|File:U2 Krieau AG ost innen 01.jpg|Interior of Krieau station |title=|align=center|footer=|style=|height=170|width=|mode=packed}}
== Buses ==
Buses were first introduced to the city in 1907. Currently, 117 bus lines operate in Vienna during the day. 47 of these are run by the Wiener Linien, who also set the routes and timetables, the rest by subcontractors such as Dr. Richard, Gschwindl and Blaguss. The Wiener Linien also operate 20 night buses.{{Cite web |title=Städtischer Autobus |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/St%C3%A4dtischer_Autobus |access-date=25 March 2024 |archive-date=18 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240718103810/https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/St%C3%A4dtischer_Autobus |url-status=live }}
== Trams ==
File:62 Wolkersbergenstraße.jpg
The Viennese tram network has existed since 1865; the first line was electrified in 1897. There are currently 28 lines with 1071 stops that operate on a network of 176,9 km. The trams move at about 15 km/h. The fleet consists of both high-floor and low-floor vehicles, however the high-floor models, which are not air-conditioned, are in the process of being replaced by more modern, accessible trams. The modern models are air-conditioned and suitable for disabled users.{{Cite web |title=Daten zur Geschichte des öffentlichen Stadtverkehrs in Wien. "Vom Sesseltrager zur U-Bahn" |trans-title=Data on the history of public transport in Vienna. “From the chair carrier to the subway” |url=https://tram.at/stadtverkehrsgeschichte-wien/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |publisher=WTM – Wiener Tramwaymuseum – Sonderfahrten mit historischen Straßenbahnen |language=de-DE |archive-date=23 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240423051444/https://tram.at/stadtverkehrsgeschichte-wien/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Straßenbahn |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Stra%C3%9Fenbahn |access-date=25 March 2024 |archive-date=14 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230614060339/https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Stra%C3%9Fenbahn |url-status=live }}
== Trains ==
The city forms the hub of the Austrian railway system, with services to all parts of the country and abroad. The railway system connects Vienna's main station Vienna Hauptbahnhof with other European cities, including Bratislava, Budapest, Ljubljana, Munich, Prague, Venice, Wrocław, Warsaw, Zagreb, and Zürich. Other train stations include:
- Wien Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof, the starting point of the Franz-Josefs-Bahn
- Wien Hütteldorf on the Western railway
- Wien Meidling on the Southern railway. This is Vienna's most frequented transit station.
- Wien Mitte (Landstraße) on the S-Bahn line; it is the closest railway station to the center of the city.
- Wien Praterstern (Formerly known as Wien Nord or Wien Nord-Praterstern) on the Northern railway
- Wien Westbahnhof, starting point of the Western railway
= Cycling =
File:Citybike Vienna, Schönbrunner Brücke.jpg
The cycling network in the city spans 1,721 kilometers. However, this figure counts bidirectional bike paths twice and includes on-road cycle-lanes, which are also shared with motor vehicles.{{Cite web |title=Radfahren in Wien |url=https://www.wien.info/de/lebenswertes-wien/sport/radfahren |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=wien.info |language=de |archive-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325204127/https://www.wien.info/de/lebenswertes-wien/sport/radfahren |url-status=live }} The network is constantly being expanded and upgraded, especially in the outer areas, such as Donaustadt.{{Cite web |title=Radwegoffensive: Ausbau des Radverkehrsnetzes 2023 |url=https://www.fahrradwien.at/radwegoffensive-2023/ |access-date=25 March 2024 |website=Fahrrad Wien |language=de-DE |archive-date=25 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240325204129/https://www.fahrradwien.at/radwegoffensive-2023/ |url-status=live }} Bike use in the city has been rising, from just 3% in 1993 to 11% in 2024.{{Cite web |last=red |first=wien ORF at |date=2025-03-16 |title=Anstieg bei Radfahrern und Öffi-Benützern |url=https://wien.orf.at/stories/3297199/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |website=wien.ORF.at |language=de}}
The city also operates a bicycle-sharing system called WienMobil Radverleih, which offers over 3,000 bikes across 185 stations, available at all times. The bikes are 7-speed city bikes with an adjustable saddle.
= Airport =
File:2011-06-14 10-23-56 Austria Niederösterreich Fischamend Markt.jpg
Vienna is served by Vienna International Airport, located 18 km southeast of the city center near the town of Schwechat. The airport handled approximately 29.5 million passengers in 2023.{{Cite web |date=18 January 2024 |title=Viennaairport - Press Releases & News |url=https://www.viennaairport.com/en/company/press__news/press_releases__news_1 |access-date=26 March 2024 |website=www.viennaairport.com |language=en |archive-date=21 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240421091512/https://www.viennaairport.com/en/company/press__news/press_releases__news_1 |url-status=live }} Following lengthy negotiations with surrounding communities, the airport is set to be expanded to increase its capacity by adding a third runway. The airport is undergoing a major expansion, including a new terminal building that opened in 2012 to accommodate the growing number of passengers. Another option for travelers is to use Bratislava Airport, Slovakia, located approximately 60 km away.
Viennese people
{{Main|List of people from Vienna}}
International relations
= International organizations in Vienna=
File:Vereinte Nationen in Wien.jpg in the nearby Donaupark before the extensive building work]]
In 1980, Vienna became a UN headquarter city, alongside New York City and Geneva, and was later joined by Nairobi. The city hosts numerous international organizations, many of which are located in the Vienna International Centre in Donaustadt, including:
- FRA – European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
- IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency
- ICPDR – International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River
- OPEC – Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
- OPEC Fund – OPEC Fund for International Development
- OSCE – Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
- UN – United Nations
- UNCITRAL – United Nations Commission on International Trade Law
- UNIDO – United Nations Industrial Development Organization
- UNODC – United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
- UNOOSA – United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
- UNPA – United Nations Postal Administration
- UNSCEAR – United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation
File:Wien - OPEC-Zentrale (a).JPG
In addition, the University of Vienna hosts the annual Willem C. Vis Moot, an international commercial arbitration competition for law students from around the world.
Diplomatic meetings were frequently held in Vienna in the latter half of the 20th century, resulting in several significant documents bearing the name Vienna Convention. Among the most important documents are the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, as well as the 1990 Treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe. Vienna also hosted the negotiations leading to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action on Iran's nuclear program, as well as the Vienna peace talks for Syria.
= Charitable organizations in Vienna=
Alongside international and intergovernmental organizations, there are dozens of charitable organizations based in Vienna. One such organization is the network of SOS Children's Villages, founded by Hermann Gmeiner in 1949. Today, SOS Children's Villages are active in 132 countries and territories worldwide. Others include Help Afghan School Children Organization (HASCO).
=International city co-operations=
The general policy of the City of Vienna is not to sign any twin town agreements with other cities. Instead, the city cooperates with a handful of cities on specific issues.{{cite web |title=City-to-city cooperation |publisher=City of Vienna |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/politics/international/networks/city-cooperation.html |access-date=16 January 2024 |archive-date=9 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209170615/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/politics/international/networks/city-cooperation.html |url-status=live }}
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
- {{flagdeco|TUR}} Ankara, Turkey
- {{flagdeco|SER}} Belgrade, Serbia
- {{flagdeco|SVK}} Bratislava, Slovakia
- {{flagdeco|CZE}} Brno, Czech Republic
- {{flagdeco|HUN}} Budapest, Hungary
- {{flagdeco|GER}} Hamburg, Germany
- {{flagdeco|POL}} Kraków, Poland
- {{flagdeco|SLO}} Ljubljana, Slovenia
- {{flagdeco|FRA}} Paris, France
- {{flagdeco|CZE}} Prague, Czech Republic
- {{flagdeco|CAN}} Vancouver, Canada
- {{flagdeco|CRO}} Zagreb, Croatia
- {{flagdeco|SWI}} Zürich, Switzerland
{{div col end}}
=District to district partnerships=
In addition, individual Viennese districts have international partnerships all over the world. A detailed list is published on the website of the City of Vienna.{{cite web |title=City-to-city cooperation |publisher=City of Vienna |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/politics/international/networks/city-cooperation.html#district |access-date=28 August 2020 |archive-date=9 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209170615/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/politics/international/networks/city-cooperation.html#district |url-status=live }}
See also
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- {{Lang|de|Donauinselfest|italic=no}}
- List of honorary citizens of Vienna
- List of restaurants in Vienna
- List of Viennese
- List of World Heritage Sites in Austria
- List of cities and towns on the Danube River
- OPENCities
- Outline of Vienna
- Vienna Biennale
- Vienna Porcelain Manufactory
- Viennese German
- Water supply in Vienna
{{div col end}}
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- Pippal, M.: A Short History of Art in Vienna, Munich: C.H. Beck 2000, {{ISBN|978-3-406-46789-9}}, provides a concise overview.
- Dassanowsky, Robert ed.: "World Film Locations: Vienna", London: Intellect/Chicago: U of Chicago Press, 2012, {{ISBN|978-1-84150-569-5}}. International films about Vienna or Austria shot on location throughout cinema history.
External links
{{Sister project links|v=no|voy=Vienna|Vienna}}
=Official websites=
- [http://www.wien.gv.at/english/ Wien.gv.at] – Official site of the municipality, with an interactive map.
- [http://www.wien.info/ Wien.info] – Official site of the tourism board: events, sightseeing, cultural information, etc.
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060113060112/http://www.vho.at/embassy.en.html List of Embassies in Vienna]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150120161457/https://www.wien.gv.at/politik/international/strategie/mycentrope.html Information about Vienna and Centrope countries]
- [http://geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/ Geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at] – Vienna History Wiki operated by the city of Vienna
=History of Vienna=
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20171011222843/http://postrealism.com/vienna.htm Hundreds of articles on historical buildings of Vienna: Churches, Palaces, Art, Culture and History of Vienna]
- [http://www.battlefieldsww2.com/viennagb.html German flak towers in Vienna]
- [http://www.ngw.nl/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Wien History of the Coat of Arms of Vienna and all (former) districts and municipalities]
=Further information on Vienna=
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100107022631/http://www.wien.city-map.at/ Vienna Information] Sorted by categories. Choose from 5 Languages
- [https://www.vienna-unwrapped.com/ Vienna insider travel guide]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100517122057/http://www.concertvienna.com/ Events in Vienna]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150524063058/http://www.mycentrope.com/de/home/tag/wien Events and useful information from Vienna]
- [http://www.whenwherewh.at/ WhenWhereWh.at]
- English Guide to Events and Contemporary Culture in Vienna
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