Vienna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vienna Wien  (German) Wean  (Bavarian)
Capital city, federal state and municipality
Schönbrunn Palace Stephansdom Vienna State Opera Vienna City Hall Neue Hofburg Karlskirche Upper Belvedere
Flag Seal Coat of arms Logo
Map of Vienna
Vienna highlighted in Austria
Vienna Location in Austria Show map of Austria Vienna Location in Europe Show map of Europe
Country	Austria
Federal state	Vienna
Government
• Body	State and Municipality
Area
• Land	395.25 km2 (152.61 sq mi)
• Water	19.39 km2 (7.49 sq mi)
Elevation	151 (Lobau) – 542 (Hermannskogel) m (495–1,778 ft)
Population  (2024)	2,014,614
• Rank	10th in Europe 1st in Austria
• Urban	2,223,236 ("Kernzone")
• Metro	2,890,577
• Ethnicity	46% Austrian 54% Other
Demonyms	German: Wiener (m), Wienerin (f) Viennese
GDP
• Capital city, federal state and municipality	€110.922 billion (2022)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	1xx0 (xx = district number) 1300 (airport) 1400 (United Nations) other 1yyy (postal boxes)
ISO 3166 code	AT-9
Vehicle registration	W
HDI (2021)	0.942 very high · 1st of 9
Seats in the Federal Council	10 / 60
GeoTLD	.wien
UNESCO World Heritage Site Official name: Historic Centre of Vienna Type: Cultural Criteria: ii, iv, vi Designated: 2001 (25th session) Reference #: 1033 UNESCO Region: Europe and North America Endangered: 2017 (2017)–present

Vienna (ⁱ/viˈɛnə/ vee-EN-ə; German: Wien [viːn]) is the capital and largest city of Austria. It is also one of Austria's nine federal states. With over two million people, it is the country's most populated city. The wider area around Vienna has almost 2.9 million people. This means nearly one-third of Austria's population lives here.

Vienna is the main center for culture, business, and politics in Austria. It is the fifth-largest city by population in the European Union. It is also the most populated city along the Danube river. The city is located near the Vienna Woods, which are the foothills of the Alps. It sits where the Alps meet the Pannonian Basin. The Danube river flows through Vienna. The city is surrounded by Lower Austria. It is also close to Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic.

Long ago, Vienna was a Celtic settlement called Vedunia. The Romans later built a military camp and town called Vindobona in the 1st century. In 1155, Vienna became the home of the Babenberg family, who ruled Austria. The city gained its official rights in 1221. Later, the Habsburg family made Vienna the seat of the Holy Roman Empire emperors. After the Austrian Empire was formed in 1804, Vienna became its capital.

For a long time, Vienna was one of the biggest German-speaking cities. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was the largest. Vienna is home to many big international organizations, like the United Nations. In 2001, the city center became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, in 2017, it was put on the list of World Heritage in Danger.

Vienna is often called the "City of Music." Many famous classical musicians lived and worked here. These include Beethoven, Mozart, and Johann Strauss II. The city was a key music center from the time of Viennese Classicism until the early 1900s. Sigmund Freud, the first psychoanalyst, also lived in Vienna. The old part of Vienna has many beautiful buildings, like Baroque palaces and gardens. The Ringstraße from the late 1800s is lined with grand buildings and parks.

In 2024, Vienna was named the most livable city in the world. This was by the Economist Intelligence Unit. It has been in the top two places every year since 2015.

What's in a Name?

The name Vienna comes from the Italian name. The German name Wien comes from the Wien river. This river was mentioned as UUenia in 881.

The Roman settlement was called Vindobona. This name comes from Celtic words. Vindo- meant "white," and -bona meant "settlement" or "village." So, it likely meant "white village." This Celtic word might be linked to an old Celtic god named Vindos.

The names for Vienna in Czech, Slovak, Polish, and Ukrainian are similar. They are Vídeň, Viedeň, Wiedeń, and Відень. The Wieden district in Vienna also shares this root.

The name in Hungarian (Bécs) and Serbo-Croatian (Beč) is different. It likely comes from a Slavic word. It may have first referred to an Avar fort. In Slovene, the city is called Dunaj. This word means the Danube river in other Slavic languages.

Vienna's Story

Roman Times

In the 1st century, the Romans built a military camp called Vindobona. It was located where Vienna's city center is today. This camp helped protect the Roman Empire's borders. Building started around 97 AD. At its busiest, Vindobona had about 15,000 people. It was an important part of the Roman trade network. The Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius might have died here in 180 AD.

After a Germanic invasion, the city was rebuilt. It was a Roman government center until the 5th century. Then, people left because of the Huns invading. The city was empty for several centuries. Many Roman remains have been found under Vienna. These include parts of the military camp and old water systems.

The Middle Ages

Vienna kept strong ties with other Celtic people. Irish monks like Saint Colman and Saint Fergil were important figures. Irish Benedictine monks founded monasteries in the 12th century. Vienna's Schottenstift monastery, or Scots Abbey, was once home to many Irish monks.

In 976, Leopold I became count of the Eastern March. This area was along the Danube river. This district grew into the duchy of Austria. Each ruler expanded the area eastward. In 1155, Henry II, Duke of Austria moved his family's home to Vienna. Vienna then became the center of the Babenberg family. Hungary took over the city for a short time from 1485 to 1490.

Around 1500, Vienna became the seat of the Aulic Council. Later, in the 16th century, the Habsburg emperors of the Holy Roman Empire made Vienna their main city. This made Vienna a very important center in the empire.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, Christian armies stopped Ottoman armies twice. These were the siege of Vienna in 1529 and the Battle of Vienna in 1683. The Great Plague of Vienna hit the city in 1679. It killed almost a third of the people living there.

Austrian Empire & Early 1900s

In 1804, during the Napoleonic Wars, Vienna became the capital of the new Austrian Empire. The city continued to be very important in European politics. It hosted the Congress of Vienna in 1814–15. There were also big protests against Habsburg rule in 1848. These were stopped by force. After 1867, Vienna remained the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city was a major center for classical music. This period is sometimes called the First Viennese School.

In the late 1800s, Vienna changed a lot. Old walls were torn down. A wide new street called the Ringstraße was built. Grand buildings, monuments, and parks were created along it. These include the Rathaus (town hall) and the Staatsoper. Former suburbs became part of the city. Vienna grew very quickly.

After World War I in 1918, Vienna became the capital of the Republic of German-Austria. Then, in 1919, it became the capital of the First Republic of Austria. From the late 1800s to 1938, Vienna was a hub of high culture and modern ideas. Many famous composers like Johannes Brahms and Gustav Mahler lived there. The city also saw new art movements, architecture, and philosophy.

Red Vienna

From 1919 to 1934, Vienna was a center of socialist politics. This time is known as Red Vienna. Socialist politicians won local elections in 1919. They started an ambitious plan for the city. They built over 60,000 new public housing apartments. These apartments were given to families and people who needed them most.

Civil Conflict

In July 1927, a protest broke out in Vienna. This happened after some far-right members were found not guilty of killing two socialist members. People were very angry and set the Palace of Justice on fire. The police tried to stop the protest by force. At least 84 protestors and 5 policemen died.

In 1933, Chancellor Engelbert Dollfuss closed the parliament. He ruled the country like a dictatorship. He banned the Communist Party and limited the Social Democratic Party. This led to a civil conflict in 1934. It started in Linz and quickly spread to Vienna. Socialist groups fought against the government. The fighting in Vienna ended after the Austrian Armed Forces attacked the Karl Marx-Hof, a public housing building.

Annexation & World War II

On March 15, 1938, Adolf Hitler arrived in Vienna. German troops had entered Austria three days earlier. Hitler announced that Austria would become part of Nazi Germany. The persecution of Jewish people began almost at once. Jewish people in Vienna were treated badly. Their homes and businesses were robbed. Some were forced to clean off messages supporting Austrian independence. This led to the Kristallnacht in November 1938. This was a terrible event where Jewish places of worship and businesses were attacked. All synagogues in Vienna were destroyed, except one. Vienna lost its status as a capital city. Many Jewish people were forced to leave, and about 65,000 were killed. After the war, only about 5,000 Jewish people remained in Vienna.

In 1942, Vienna had its first air raid. More raids happened after the Allies took Italy. From March 1944, Vienna was bombed 51 times. The main targets were oil refineries. But about a third of the city center was destroyed. Important buildings like the State Opera were burned. These air raids continued until March 1945.

The Red Army entered Vienna on April 6. They fought their way into the city center. Fighting lasted for several days. On April 13, the remaining defending soldiers surrendered.

Four-Power Vienna

After World War II, Vienna was part of Soviet-occupied Eastern Austria. In September 1945, Vienna was divided into four areas. These areas were controlled by the US, UK, France, and the Soviet Union. The city center was a special "international zone." The four powers took turns controlling it each month. Police from all four powers patrolled the city together. Travel between the different areas was free.

During these 10 years, Vienna was a place for international spying. The city, like the rest of Western Europe, also received help from the Marshall Plan. This helped its economy recover.

The movie The Third Man (1949) shows what Vienna was like during this time. Its famous theme music was played on a zither.

Austria Becomes Free Again

The four-power control of Vienna ended in May 1955. This was when the Austrian State Treaty was signed. By October, all foreign soldiers had left Austria. That same year, the State Opera and the Burgtheater reopened. They had been rebuilt after the war.

In 1956, Vienna welcomed many refugees from Hungary. They had fled after a revolution there. The city also took in refugees after the Prague Spring in Czechoslovakia in 1968. More refugees came after the collapse of Yugoslavia in 1991.

In 1972, work began on the Donauinsel (Danube Island). This was to help with flood control. In the same decade, Chancellor Bruno Kreisky opened the Vienna International Center. This new area was built to host international organizations. Vienna has since become an important city for global groups like the United Nations.

People of Vienna

Significant foreign resident groups

Country of birth	Population as of 31 December 2022
Serbia	88,715
Turkey	65,650
Germany	60,513
Bosnia and Herzegovina	50,036
Poland	48,741
Syria	40,054
Romania	39,327
Ukraine	34,285
Afghanistan	25,084
Hungary	24,145

Vienna's population grew a lot when it was the capital of Austria-Hungary (1867–1918). This was due to new factories and people moving from other parts of the empire. In 1910, Vienna had over two million people. It was the third largest city in Europe. Around 1900, Vienna had the second-largest Czech population in the world.

After World War I, many Czechs and Hungarians went back to their home countries. This caused Vienna's population to drop. After World War II, the Soviet Union also sent some workers back to their home countries. Vienna's population stayed mostly the same or went down for the rest of the 20th century. It did not start growing much again until after 2000.

By 2001, 16% of people in Vienna were not Austrian citizens. Almost half of these were from former Yugoslavia. Other large groups were from Turkey, Poland, and Germany.

In 2012, an official report showed that over 660,000 people (38.8%) in Vienna had a migrant background. Most were from former Yugoslavia, Turkey, Germany, Poland, Romania, and Hungary.

From 2005 to 2015, the city's population grew by 10.1%. Experts think Vienna could be one of the fastest-growing cities in Europe until 2025.

Population by migration background (2023)

Background	Nos.
Native born	970,900
1st generation migration background	739,500
2nd generation migration background	242,900
Total	1,953,300

Religions in Vienna

According to the 2021 census, 49.0% of people in Vienna were Christian. This included 31.8% Catholic, 11.2% Eastern Orthodox, and 3.7% Protestant. About 34.1% had no religion. 14.8% were Muslim, and 2% followed other religions, including Jewish.

Vienna is the home of the main Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna. Its leader is Cardinal Christoph Schönborn. Many Catholic churches in Vienna have classical music performances. Some of Vienna's most important old buildings are Catholic churches. These include St. Stephen's Cathedral and Karlskirche. There is also a Buddhist Peace Pagoda on the Danube river. It was built in 1983.

Vienna's Location & Weather

Vienna is in northeastern Austria. It is at the eastern end of the Alps, in the Vienna Basin. The first settlement was south of the winding Danube river. Now, the city is on both sides of the river. The city's height above sea level ranges from 151 to 542 meters. Vienna covers 414.65 square kilometers. This makes it the largest city in Austria by area.

Vienna's Climate

Vienna has a mix of oceanic and humid continental climate. Some parts of the city center are warm enough for a humid subtropical climate.

Summers are warm and rainy. Average high temperatures are between 25 and 27°C. The highest temperature ever recorded was over 38°C. Winters are quite dry and cold. Average temperatures are around freezing point. Spring weather can change a lot. Autumn is cool, and it can snow in November.

Rainfall is usually moderate throughout the year. It averages about 600 mm annually. The Vienna Woods in the west get more rain (700 to 800 mm). The flat plains in the east are drier (500 to 550 mm). Snow is common in winter, but not as much as in western and southern Austria.

Vienna's Districts & Growth

City Districts

Vienna is made up of 23 districts (Bezirke). Each district has its own local office. These offices handle things like schools and parks. They can make decisions for their area. But the main city council can overrule them.

No.	District	Coat of arms	Area (km2)	Population (2023)	Density per km2	Map
1	Innere Stadt		2.869	16,538	5,764
2	Leopoldstadt		19.242	110,100	5,707
3	Landstraße		7.403	98,398	13,292
4	Wieden		1.776	33,155	18,668
5	Margareten		2.012	54,400	27,038
6	Mariahilf		1.455	31,386	21,571
7	Neubau		1.608	31,513	19,598
8	Josefstadt		1.090	24,499	22,476
9	Alsergrund		2.976	41,631	13,989
10	Favoriten		31.823	220,324	6,923
11	Simmering		23.256	110,559	4,754
12	Meidling		8.103	101,714	12,556
13	Hietzing		37.713	55,505	1,472
14	Penzing		33.760	98,161	2,908
15	Rudolfsheim-Fünfhaus		3.918	76,381	19,495
16	Ottakring		8.673	102,770	11,849
17	Hernals		11.396	56,671	4,973
18	Währing		6.347	51,395	8,098
19	Döbling		24.944	75,400	3,023
20	Brigittenau		5.710	85,930	15,049
21	Floridsdorf		44.443	186,233	4,190
22	Donaustadt		102.299	220,794	2,158
23	Liesing		32.061	121,303	3,784

How Vienna Grew

The old heart of Vienna, now called Innere Stadt, used to be a fortress. It was surrounded by open fields to protect it. In 1850, Vienna added 34 nearby villages to its city limits. This made the city much bigger.

After 1857, the old fortress walls were taken down. This allowed the city center to grow. A wide new road, the Ringstraße, was built in their place. Grand public buildings, monuments, and parks were created along this road. These include the Rathaus (town hall) and the University. The Stephansdom, a beautiful Gothic church, is in the city center.

From 1850 to 1890, Vienna's borders in the west and south followed another old wall. This wall was called the Linienwall. In 1890, 33 more suburbs were added to Vienna. These became districts 11 to 19. The Linienwall was then torn down. In 1900, district 20, Brigittenau, was created.

Before 1904, Vienna had only grown on the eastern side of the Danube. In 1904, the 21st district was created. This added more villages on the left bank of the Danube. In 1938, the Nazis made Vienna much larger. They merged 97 towns and villages into the city. But in 1954, 80 of these were returned to Lower Austria. Since then, Vienna has had 23 districts.

Most of the factories and industries are in the southern and eastern districts. The Innere Stadt is not directly on the main Danube river. It is bordered by the Donaukanal (Danube canal). The newest parts of the city are across the Danube and in the southern areas.

City Planning

Vienna often hosts meetings about urban planning. It is a good example for city planners. The world's tallest wooden skyscraper, "HoHo Wien," was built here. It was finished in three years, starting in 2015. In recent years, a movement for shared housing has grown in Vienna.

In 2011, most homes in Vienna had broadband internet. Also, most homes had a computer. The city plans to have full broadband coverage by 2020.

Vienna's Main Train Station

The new Vienna Central Station (Hauptbahnhof) opened in October 2014. It started being built in 2007. About 1,100 trains use the station every day. It serves 145,000 passengers. There is also a shopping center with about 90 shops and restaurants.

A new area is being built near the station. It will have many offices and 5,000 apartments by 2020.

Smart City Wien

The mayor of Vienna started the Smart City Wien plan in March 2011. This plan aims to make Vienna a "smart city." This means using technology and good planning. The city wants to be more eco-friendly and efficient.

Seestadt Aspern

Seestadt Aspern is a huge city expansion project. It is in Vienna's Donaustadt district. It will have a 5-hectare artificial lake, offices, and apartments. A subway station will be nearby. The goal is to attract 20,000 new residents. Construction is expected to finish in 2028.

Vienna's Culture

Music, Theater, & Opera

Art and culture have a long history in Vienna. This includes theater, opera, classical music, and fine arts. The Burgtheater is one of the best theaters in the German-speaking world. The Volkstheater and the Theater in der Josefstadt are also well-known. There are many smaller theaters too. They often show modern plays or cabaret.

Vienna has several opera houses. These include the Theater an der Wien, the Staatsoper, and the Volksoper. The Volksoper is famous for Viennese operetta. Classical concerts are held at places like the Wiener Musikverein. This is home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. They are famous for their annual "New Year's Concert." The Wiener Konzerthaus is home to the Vienna Symphony. Many concert halls offer shows for tourists. These often feature popular Viennese music.

Many famous classical musicians were born in Vienna. These include Franz Schubert and Johann Strauss II. Other famous musicians moved to Vienna to work. These include Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Ludwig van Beethoven. Famous operas like The Magic Flute and The Marriage of Figaro first played in Vienna.

The Vienna's English Theater (VET) is an English-language theater. It was started in 1963. It is the oldest English theater in mainland Europe.

Popular Music

Vienna has also produced famous pop music artists. Pioneers of Austropop like Georg Danzer and Falco are from Vienna. Falco's song "Rock Me Amadeus" was the only German-language song to reach number 1 on the American Billboard Hot 100. This happened in 1986. Other hits by Falco include "Der Kommissar" and "Jeanny." Joe Zawinul, a founder of the jazz fusion band Weather Report, was also born in Vienna.

Today's artists include rapper RAF Camora and hip-hop musician Yung Hurn. The indie pop band Wanda is also from Vienna.

Many popular songs have been written about Vienna. These include "Vienna" by Billy Joel and "Vienna" by Ultravox. Falco also sang "Vienna Calling."

The Wienerlied is a special type of song from Vienna. These songs are sung in the local dialect. They are often about the city. There are about 60,000 to 70,000 Wienerlieder.

Every year, the Donauinselfest takes place on the Donauinsel. This is the world's largest open-air music festival. About 3 million people attend over three days. It is free to enter. The Vienna Jazz Festival has been held almost every year since 1991. Famous artists like Nina Simone and Miles Davis have performed there.

Movies in Vienna

Many movies have been set in Vienna. Some famous ones are Amadeus, Before Sunrise, and The Third Man.

Well-known actors from Vienna include Hedy Lamarr and Christoph Waltz. Filmmakers like Michael Haneke and Fritz Lang are also from Vienna. Billy Wilder lived in Vienna when he was a teenager.

Vienna has many cinemas. Some show movies in English. The Burg Kino shows The Third Man, a film set in Vienna, three times a week.

Every October, Vienna hosts the Viennale. This festival shows many different types of films.

Books & Writers

Important writers from Vienna include Stefan Zweig. Many other writers lived and worked in Vienna. These include Ingeborg Bachmann, Thomas Bernhard, and Franz Kafka.

Science & Smart Minds

Many famous scientists and thinkers were born, lived, or worked in Vienna.

• Biology: Konrad Lorenz, Karl von Frisch
• Computer Science: Heinz Zemanek
• Chemistry: Karl Kordesch, Walter Kohn
• Economics: The Austrian School of Economics, Ludwig von Mises, Friedrich August von Hayek
• Engineering: Viktor Kaplan, Robert Adler
• Medicine: Ignaz Semmelweis, Karl Landsteiner, Hans Asperger, Sigmund Freud
• Philosophy: Karl Popper, Ludwig Wittgenstein
• Physics: Lise Meitner, Erwin Schrödinger, Wolfgang Pauli, Christian Doppler
• Psychology: Sigmund Freud, Alfred Adler, Viktor Frankl

Museums to Explore

Most of Vienna's museums are in the city center. They are located near the Hofburg and the MuseumsQuartier.

• At the Hofburg:
  • Imperial Treasury: Here you can see European treasures. These include crowns and jewels of old emperors.
  • Sisi Museum: This museum is about Empress Elisabeth of Austria. You can see the royal apartments.
  • Weltmuseum Wien: This museum has objects from Africa, America, Asia, and Oceania. It includes Moctezuma's headdress.
  • Albertina: This art museum has about 65,000 drawings and 1 million old prints. It features works by Leonardo da Vinci and Albrecht Dürer. Dürer's Young Hare is a very famous painting here.

• At Maria-Theresien-Platz: Two similar buildings were finished in 1891.
  • Kunsthistorisches Museum: This art museum has paintings by famous artists. These include Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt. You can see The Tower of Babel here.
  • Naturhistorisches Museum: This natural history museum has 30 million objects. About 100,000 are on display. A famous item is the Venus of Willendorf, a 25,000-year-old statue.

• At the MuseumsQuartier: Old imperial stables were turned into museums. They opened in 2001.
  • MUMOK (Museum of Modern Art): This museum shows modern and contemporary art. It has works by Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso.
  • Leopold Museum: This museum has a collection of modern Austrian art. It includes works by Egon Schiele and Gustav Klimt.

The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere at the Belvedere shows Austrian art. It covers the Middle Ages to the early 20th century. Here you can see The Kiss, Gustav Klimt's most famous work.

The Vienna Museum tells the story of Vienna. It has temporary exhibits and a permanent display. It also has memorials to famous musicians like Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The old imperial summer home, Schönbrunn Palace, is Vienna's most visited place. It is set up as a museum. It also has the Imperial Carriage Museum.

The Museum of Military History shows the history of the Austrian Armed Forces. It has weapons, armor, uniforms, and paintings.

Other museums in Vienna include:

• House of Music: A music museum in an old palace.
• Haus des Meeres: A public aquarium in a WWII flak tower.
• Sigmund Freud Museum: About Freud's life at his old home.
• Mozarthaus Vienna: The house where Mozart lived.
• Dritte Mann Museum: About the 1949 film The Third Man.
• Jewish Museum Vienna: The oldest Jewish museum of its kind, founded in 1896.

Vienna's Architecture

Vienna has many different building styles. These include Romanesque architecture and Baroque architecture. Art Nouveau style is also very common. The Secession building and Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station are famous examples.

In the 1990s, many areas were updated. Big building projects happened in Donaustadt and Wienerberg. Vienna has combined new and old buildings. For example, the old Gasometer was updated in 2001.

The DC Towers are tall buildings on the northern bank of the Danube. They were finished in 2013.

Places of Worship

Most places of worship in Vienna are churches. This is because Christianity is very common. Some of the most important churches are:

• St. Rupert's Church (around 800 AD): Thought to be the oldest church in the city.
• St. Stephen's Cathedral (1137): A Gothic church and a symbol of Vienna. It is a popular tourist spot.
• Capuchin Church (1632): This church has the Imperial Crypt. Many members of the Habsburg family are buried here.
• Karlskirche (1737): A popular tourist attraction in Karlsplatz.
• Votivkirche (1879): Built to thank God after Emperor Franz Joseph survived an attack.

Vienna's largest mosque is the Vienna Islamic Centre. It is in Kaisermühlen. It has a 32-meter-high minaret and a 16-meter-high dome. There are over 100 other mosques in the city.

Before 1938, there were 24 synagogues and 78 prayer houses. Only one synagogue, the Stadttempel, survived.

Ball Dances

The first balls in Vienna were held in the 18th century. The ball season is during Carnival, from November 11 to Shrove Tuesday. Many balls take place in the Hofburg and Musikverein. Guests must follow a strict dress code. Men wear black or white tie. Women wear a ball gown. Young women making their debut wear white.

The balls start with dances, usually a Viennese waltz, around 10 PM. They close around 5 AM the next morning. Food served includes sausages with bread or Gulaschsoups.

Famous Viennese balls include the Vienna Opera Ball and the Vienna Ball of Sciences.

Viennese Language

Vienna is in the Austro-Bavarian language area. The Viennese dialect is part of Central Bavarian. It has many words borrowed from other languages. These come from the old Habsburg Monarchy, especially Czech. The dialect sounds and has grammar different from western Austria. For example, "heiß" (hot) becomes "haas." Speakers often avoid the genitive case.

Learning in Vienna

Universities

Vienna is home to many universities:

• Academy of Fine Arts Vienna
• Central European University
• Medical University of Vienna
• University of Applied Arts Vienna
• University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna
• University of Vienna
• Vienna University of Economics and Business
• TU Wien (Vienna University of Technology)
• Webster Vienna Private University
• Sigmund Freud Private University

International Schools

Vienna also has several international schools:

• Amadeus International School Vienna
• American International School Vienna
• Danube International School Vienna
• International Christian School of Vienna
• Japanese International School in Vienna
• Lycée Français de Vienne
• Vienna International School

Green Spaces in Vienna

Parks

The Stadtpark is on the southeastern edge of the Ringstraße. It covers about 28 acres and is split by the Wien river. It has statues of Viennese artists, like the gilded bronze statue of Johann Strauß II. Across the Ring is the Burggarten, behind the Hofburg. It has a statue of Mozart and a greenhouse. The Volksgarten is on the other side of the Hofburg. It has a small copy of the Temple of Hephaestus. The Rathauspark, in front of the City Hall, hosts the Christmas market.

The Prater is a large public park in Leopoldstadt. Inside it is the Wurstelprater, an amusement park. It has the Wiener Riesenrad, a 64.75-meter-tall Ferris Wheel. There are also rides, roller coasters, and a Madame Tussauds. The rest of the Prater is covered by forest. The Hauptallee is a wide, car-free path lined with trees. Eliud Kipchoge broke a marathon record on this path in 2019. The Prater also has the Liliputbahn, a small railway for tourists. The Ernst-Happel-Stadion, a large stadium, is also in the Prater.

The Lobau is a floodplain in the southeast of the city. It is part of the Danube-Auen National Park. People use it for fun activities. It is home to many animals:

• Mammals: beavers, deer, European hares
• Reptiles: European pond turtles, Grass snake
• Amphibians: European tree frogs
• Fish: Pigo, Rhodeus
• Birds: Grey herons, Cormorants, Common kingfishers

In the west of the city is the Lainzer Tiergarten. This is a 24.5 km² public nature reserve. Most of it is woodland. Emperor Ferdinand I created it in 1561 as a private hunting ground. After the monarchy ended, it became a public nature reserve. Entry has been free since 1973. The reserve has many wild boar, fallow deer, and European mouflons. It also has 18 types of bats.

The grounds of the imperial Schönbrunn Palace have an 18th-century park. This park includes the Schönbrunn Zoo. It was founded in 1752, making it the world's oldest zoo still open. The zoo is one of the few places that has giant pandas. The park also has the Palmenhaus Schönbrunn, a large greenhouse with about 4,500 plant types.

The Augarten is a 129-acre public park in Leopoldstadt. It is designed in the French Baroque style. The park has flower gardens and tree-lined paths. It was opened in 1775 by Joseph II. The park is surrounded by a wall with five gates. These gates are closed at night. The baroque Palais Augarten is in the south of the park. It is home to the Vienna Boys' Choir. Two tall anti-aircraft Flak Towers stand over the park. They were built by the Nazis in 1944. They could not be destroyed after the war, so they remain empty.

The Donauinsel is an artificial island. It is 21.1 km long. It was built from 1972 to 1988 to help with flood protection. It is between the Danube and the New Danube. The island is used for many fun activities. It has volleyball courts, playgrounds, and skate spots. About 1.8 million trees and shrubs were planted to make it a green space. A few hundred Japanese cherry trees were planted as a symbol of friendship. Animals on the island include sand lizards and Danube crested newts.

The Donaupark is a 63-hectare park in Kaisermühlen. It is between the New Danube and the Old Danube. The park has the Donauturm, which is the tallest structure in Austria at 252 meters. It also has a 40-meter-tall Christian cross. This cross was put up in 1983 when Pope John Paul II visited Austria. The park also has a Latin America-Caribbean Square. It features memorials to figures like Salvador Allende and Simón Bolívar.

Cemeteries

Vienna has 55 cemeteries. The city runs 46 of them. The others are run by religious groups.

The biggest cemetery is the Vienna Central Cemetery (Zentralfriedhof). It is 2.4 km² large. It has over 330,000 graves and about 3,000,000 burials. It opened in 1874. It has Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish sections. Famous people buried here include Ludwig van Beethoven and Falco. Every deceased president since WWII is also buried here. Animals like deer, badgers, and European hamsters roam the park. There are many memorials for victims of past conflicts.

The now closed St. Marx Cemetery has the grave of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The Danube River

Vienna is the largest city on the Danube river. The river flows from the north, through the city, and out the south-east. In Vienna, the river is split into four parts:

• The main Danube: This is the widest part. It is mainly used for shipping.
• The Neue Donau (New Danube): This is a side channel on the east. It was built in 1972 to help prevent floods. It is separated from the main Danube by the man-made Donauinsel. It is about 21 kilometers long. The water here flows slower. It is used for water sports like swimming, rowing, or sailing. Motorboats are not allowed here.
• The Alte Donau (Old Danube): This is a lake to the east of the New Danube. It separates Kaisermühlen from the rest of the city. This lake is a popular spot for swimmers. It has free piers and beaches. Motorboats and pedalos are allowed and can be rented.
• The Donaukanal: This channel splits off from the Danube and rejoins it. It flows through the city center. Boats use this waterway. The paths on both sides are popular for walking, jogging, and cycling.

Sports in Vienna

Football

Vienna has many football clubs. The two biggest teams are FK Austria Wien and SK Rapid Wien. Austria Wien has won 21 Austrian Bundesliga titles. Rapid Wien has won a record 32 titles.

The Ernst-Happel-Stadion is the largest stadium in Austria. It has 50,865 seats. It is the home stadium for the Austria national football team. It has hosted many big football finals. This includes the 2008 Euros final.

Other Sports

Other sports clubs include the Vikings Vienna (American football). They won the Eurobowl title four times in a row. The Vienna Capitals play ice hockey. The European Handball Federation (EHF) has its main office in Vienna. There are also three rugby clubs in the city.

Vienna also offers many individual sports. The paths in the Prater and on the Donauinsel are popular for running. The Vienna City Marathon happens every May. Over 10,000 people take part. Cyclists can use over 1,000 kilometers of bike paths. There are also golf courses.

The Vienna Open tennis tournament has been held since 1974. The matches are played indoors.

The City of Vienna also has two ski slopes.

Delicious Viennese Food

Food Specialties

Vienna is famous for Wiener schnitzel. This is a thin piece of veal (or pork or chicken). It is pounded flat, coated in breadcrumbs, and fried. You can find it in almost every restaurant. It can be eaten hot or cold. Another Viennese dish is Tafelspitz. This is very lean boiled beef. It is usually served with potatoes and horseradish sauce.

Vienna has a long history of making cakes and desserts. These include Apfelstrudel (hot apple strudel) and Palatschinken (sweet pancakes). Knödel (dumplings) are often filled with fruit like apricots. Sachertorte is a world-famous chocolate cake. It has apricot jam and was created by the Sacher Hotel.

In winter, street stands sell hot Maroni (chestnuts) and potato fritters.

Sausages are very popular. You can buy them from street vendors (Würstelstand) all day and night. The sausage called Wiener in the U.S. is called a Frankfurter in Vienna. Other popular sausages are Burenwurst and Käsekrainer. Most can be ordered with bread. Mustard is the usual topping.

The Naschmarkt is a permanent market. It sells fruit, vegetables, spices, fish, and meat.

Drinks

Vienna is one of the few capital cities with its own vineyards. The wine is served in small Viennese pubs called Heuriger. People often drink wine mixed with sparkling water, called a Spritzer. The Grüner Veltliner is a popular dry white wine. Another typical wine is "Gemischter Satz," a blend from the same vineyard.

Beer is also important. Vienna has one large brewery, Ottakringer. It also has over ten microbreweries. A "Beisl" is a typical small Austrian pub.

Local soft drinks like Almdudler are popular. They are an alternative to alcoholic drinks. Other popular drinks are Spezi (cola and orange lemonade mix) and Frucade.

Viennese Cafés

The Viennese coffee house (Kaffeehaus) started in the Austro-Hungarian empire. Smart people in Vienna used coffee houses like their living rooms. The first Viennese café opened in 1685. Coffee culture grew in Vienna in the early 1800s. Famous people like Sigmund Freud and Stefan Zweig visited these cafés.

Famous coffee houses include:

• Café Central
• Café Landtmann
• Café Sacher

Heuriger (Wine Taverns)

Vienna is one of the few big cities with its own wine-growing region. This wine is sold in taverns called Heuriger. These are run by local winemakers during the growing season. The wine is often served as a Schorle, which is wine mixed with carbonated water. The food is simple and homemade. It usually includes fresh bread with local coldcuts and cheese. Heurigers are common in areas like Döbling and Floridsdorf.

Getting Around Vienna

Public Transport

Vienna has a large public transportation system. It includes the Wiener Linien network (subway, tram, and bus lines). It also has the S-Bahn train lines. As of 2023, 32% of people in Vienna use public transport as their main way to get around.

Subway (U-Bahn)

The Vienna metro system has five lines. These are U1, U2, U3, U4, and U6. The U5 line is currently being built. The metro has 109 stations and covers 83.1 kilometers. Trains run from 5 AM to about 1 AM. They come every two to five minutes during the day. After 8 PM, they come every eight minutes. On Friday and Saturday nights, and before public holidays, they run 24 hours a day. They come every 15 minutes then.

Line	Colour	Route	Length	Stations
	Red	Oberlaa – Leopoldau	19.2 km (11.9 mi)	24
	Purple	Schottentor – Seestadt	16.7 km (10.4 mi)	20
	Orange	Ottakring – Simmering	13.5 km (8.4 mi)	21
	Green	Hütteldorf – Heiligenstadt	16.5 km (10.3 mi)	20
	Brown	Siebenhirten – Floridsdorf	17.4 km (10.8 mi)	24

Buses

Buses started in Vienna in 1907. Today, 117 bus lines run during the day. The Wiener Linien operates 47 of these. They also set the routes and times. Other companies run the rest. The Wiener Linien also runs 20 night buses.

Trams

The Viennese tram network has been around since 1865. The first electric line started in 1897. There are now 28 lines with 1071 stops. They cover 176.9 km. Trams move at about 15 km/h. The trams include both old and new models. The older ones are being replaced with modern, air-conditioned trams. These new trams are also good for people with disabilities.

Trains

Vienna is the center of Austria's railway system. Trains go to all parts of the country and abroad. Vienna's main station, Vienna Hauptbahnhof, connects to other European cities. These include Bratislava, Budapest, and Munich. Other train stations in Vienna include:

• Wien Franz-Josefs-Bahnhof
• Wien Hütteldorf
• Wien Meidling: This is Vienna's busiest transit station.
• Wien Mitte: The closest station to the city center.
• Wien Westbahnhof

Cycling

Vienna has a cycling network of 1,721 kilometers. This includes bike paths and lanes shared with cars. The network is always growing and improving. Especially in outer areas like Donaustadt. More people are cycling in the city. Bike use went from 3% in 1993 to 10% in 2023.

The city has a bicycle-sharing system called WienMobil Radverleih. It has 3,000 bikes at 185 stations. The bikes are available all the time. They are 7-speed city bikes with adjustable seats.

Airport

Vienna is served by Vienna International Airport. It is 18 km southeast of the city center. The airport handled about 29.5 million passengers in 2023. The airport is being expanded to handle more passengers. This includes a new terminal that opened in 2012. Another option is to use Bratislava Airport in Slovakia. It is about 60 km away.

Vienna's Global Connections

International Organizations

In 1980, Vienna became a UN headquarters city. Other UN headquarters are in New York City, Geneva, and Nairobi. Vienna hosts many international organizations. Many are in the Vienna International Centre in Donaustadt. These include:

• FRA – European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights
• IAEA – International Atomic Energy Agency
• OPEC – Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
• OSCE – Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
• UN – United Nations (with offices like UNIDO and UNODC)

The University of Vienna also hosts the annual Willem C. Vis Moot. This is a competition for law students from around the world.

Many important diplomatic meetings have been held in Vienna. This led to several agreements named "Vienna Convention." These include the 1969 Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. Vienna also hosted talks for the 2015 nuclear program agreement with Iran.

City Partnerships

Vienna does not sign "twin town" agreements like some cities. Instead, it has "cooperation agreements." These agreements define specific areas for working together with other cities.

Also, individual districts in Vienna have partnerships with places worldwide. You can find a detailed list on the City of Vienna's website.

Images for kids

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  Vienna's Ringstraße and the State Opera in around 1870

See also

In Spanish: Viena para niños