Right at the heart of the city, the historic centre of Vienna is a magnificent display of architectural splendour, cultural heritage, and centuries of history. Vienna was once the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and its old town reflects its past importance with an abundance of historic buildings, baroque castles, and opulent churches. The whole area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a place to wander grand boulevards and hidden alleyways, to marvel at architectural masterpieces, and to while away time in the city’s legendary coffee houses.
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Historic Centre of Vienna became a World Heritage Site for a number of reasons. Firstly, the city’s central role in European history over many centuries, and then the way that this role is reflected in its architecture and the urban environment. Three key periods are paramount here: the Middle Ages, the Baroque period, and the Gründerzeit (the period of economic and industrial expansion in the 19th century). A further factor in the UNESCO inscription is that “since the 16th century Vienna has been universally acknowledged to be the musical capital of Europe”.
The World Heritage Site is based around the Innere Stadt, the inner city built upon the original Roman settlement. It also includes the Ringstrasse and its grand buildings around the edge of the old city, and the adjacent Belvedere Palace.
Grand Baroque Architecture
Vienna’s Innere Stadt offers visitors a fascinating journey through time, from its origins in Roman times, through the Middle Ages, and into the Baroque period and beyond. You’ll find varied styles of architecture, from small medieval buildings to Art Nouveau and dazzling modern buildings. However, it is the Baroque architecture that is a defining feature of the historic centre.
The Baroque period saw Vienna flourish as a centre of art, music, and architecture. The city’s architectural ensembles, including palaces and public buildings, were designed to impress, with elaborate facades, intricate frescoes, and opulent interiors. At the centre of it all is the former Imperial Palace, once the seat of the capital of the Habsburg Empire.
Just outside the Innere Stadt, the Belvedere Palace is a stunning Baroque masterpiece. Originally built in the 18th century as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy, the complex includes the ornate Upper Belvedere (including the city’s most important art gallery), the Lower Belvedere, and the formal Baroque gardens.
The Ringstrasse
The late-19th century Ringstrasse (or Ringstraße) is a monumental boulevard encircling the Innere Stadt on three sides (the other side is bounded by the Danube Canal). Built to replace the old city walls, the road is lined with parkland and numerous grand buildings. Here you will find a rich blend of neo-Gothic, neo-Renaissance, and neo-Baroque styles: the road is home to museums, theatres, government buildings and the University of Vienna.
You can’t avoid the Ringstrasse when you’re exploring Vienna. This is where you will find many of the most important museums and art galleries and the Vienna State Opera. It is also a tourist attraction in its own right, a way to walk through Vienna’s past, to soak up its cultural heritage, and to enjoy a bit of green space. Just make sure you dodge the ever-present bikes as you go…
What To See In The Old Town Of Vienna
The best way to discover the Innere Stadt is just by walking and looking at the buildings. Try to imagine the city at the height of Hapsburg glory, when every palace was occupied by a wealthy family, where balls and musical events were everyday occurrences.
There are a number of main sights on the tourist itinerary. At the centre of the city is the medieval St Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom), with its striking Gothic exterior and equally magnificent interior. From here you could head down Kärntner Straße, a fashionable pedestrianised shopping street following the line of an old Roman road, or walk in the opposite direction towards the Danube Canal.
You will also want to visit the Hofburg Palace complex, once home to the imperial family. One of the largest royal residences in the world, this massive site includes the famous Spanish Riding School, the Sisi Museum, the Royal Apartments, and many other buildings.
Getting Off The Beaten Track
But there is much more to Vienna’s historic centre than palatial buildings and fashionable streets. Take time to deviate from the main streets, to catch glimpses of a different way of life. You’ll discover intriguing alleyways and forgotten courtyards, revealing a city layered with history, from Roman times to the early part of the 20th century.
You’ll encounter a few curiosities. Like the tiny Greek quarter (Griechenvirtel) where you’ll find the oldest restaurant in Vienna (the excellent Griechenbeisl, where famous visitors such as Beethoven and Mark Twain are said to have dined). Or a 15th century mural of a wolf and cow playing backgammon (yes, really!).
How To Explore The Historic Centre Of Vienna
One of the best ways to explore the historic centre of Vienna is on foot. The city’s pedestrian-friendly streets allow visitors to immerse themselves in its rich history and vibrant atmosphere. Or you could indulge in the classic tourist experience by taking a “fiaker” ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Fiakers can be hired from stands throughout the city, or you can book in advance.
Another possibility is to take a guided walking tour, perhaps a City Highlights Tour, or an Unknown Vienna City tour of lesser known sights.
And finally, a word of warning: the combination of history and architecture, art galleries and museums, and world class music, may lead to severe cultural overload. Don’t forget to take some time out to sample the city’s very many coffee houses and restaurants!
