Café Schwarzenberg facts for kids
Café Schwarzenberg is a famous old Viennese coffee house in Vienna, Austria. It sits on the beautiful Ringstraße boulevard, near Schwarzenbergplatz. Unlike some other coffee houses in Vienna, this one wasn't mainly for artists or thinkers. What makes it special is that its inside looks almost the same as when it first opened in the 1800s!
History of Café Schwarzenberg
Café Schwarzenberg is the oldest coffee house on the famous Ringstraße. It opened in 1861, when this grand street was being built. A couple named Hochleitner started it. Soon, it became a popular meeting spot for important business people and bankers.
A famous guest was the architect Josef Hoffmann. He was one of the people who started the Wiener Werkstätte. This was an art company that made beautiful items. Hoffmann even drew many of his designs while sitting at Café Schwarzenberg.
After World War II
After World War II, the Soviet army used the café for their officers. Because of this, the inside of the café was damaged. You could still see bullet marks as late as 1979!
The café was managed by a travel company until 2008. Then, an Austrian food company bought it.
Café Schwarzenberg Today
Today, Café Schwarzenberg is a favorite place for both tourists and locals. It has an outdoor seating area called a Schanigarten right on the Ringstraße sidewalk.
The café often hosts fun cultural events. These include readings and concerts. On some evenings, you can even hear "Coffee House Music" played live. During Vienna's special ball season, Café Schwarzenberg is one of the few places that offers early morning goulash and beer. This is a special breakfast for people who have been at the balls all night!
