Vienna Things to Do Tips by aliante1981

Europe is at its best, in my view, when Christmas arrives. The photo is not mine but instead from a tour firm prospectus, because unfortunately I have not been to the Austrian capital during this fantastic time of year, though I do not give up hope:))

Why a person might enjoy -- and will enjoy, I think -- Christmas time in the city? Well, there's the Christmas market, the famous balls (just like a scene out of your average fairytale!), fireworks, decorations, people watching, a huge Christmas tree, and Christmas shopping!

To see all this, you should go anytime in the 3-4 weeks preceding Christmas, or for the holiday itself, of course.

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The Spanish Riding School occupies a number of buildings on the Michaelerplatz and the Josefsplatz by the Hofburg in central Vienna. Performances of beautiful snow-white Lipizzaner horses dancing take place in the Winter Riding School, shown in the photo above. The riding hall looks like an elegant ballroom--and, in fact, it has hosted royal balls and other fancy-dress events during its nearly 300-year history. You can book tickets online and itýs better to do so in advance, since 1 hour and 20 minutes long shows are sold out weeks before the actual performance.

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Address: Vienna's White Horses

Stadtpark - or the City Park, when translated into English - is just the very thing on a hot summer day because it offers much needed greenery and shade. Itýs also the location of Johan Straussý Denkmal - the monument that has become one of the symbols not only of Vienna, but of Austria in general. There are more monuments dedicated to other Austrians: to Schubert, to Anton Bruckner, to Lehar and to Robert Stolz.

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Situated in the greenery of the Stadtpark (which can be translated as the ‘City Park’), Johan Strauss’ Denkmal has become one of the symbols of Vienna - in fact it is pretty much next to impossible to get photo of it without any people standing in front! This white memorial with the gilded statue of the famous composer is the work of the sculptor Edmund Hellmer.

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Viennaýs State Opera House is, no doubt, one of the best theatres in the world. Some of the best directors worked here: Mahler, Strauss, Krauss, Von Karajan are just examples. The architects of this impressive palace have not gained much from the placeýs fame, though: Eduard van der Null committed suicide because the citizens of Vienna did not like his work, and August von Sicardsburg died soon afterwards. The building was badly damaged during World War II, but completely restored in 1955 according to original designs.

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Address: Vienna's Opera

The amazing building of Belvedere Palace, right in the centre of the city of Vienna, was built in 1721-22, when Prince Eugene of Savoy asked architect Johan Lukas von Hildebrandt to construct some kind of a summer palace. The prince, however, never came to live (or even spend time!) here - I certainly would have :))) Nowadays inside the Palace thereýs the Austrian Gallery, with the art of 19th and 20th centuries on display: Romako, Hundertwasser (the creator of one of Viennaýs most famous modernist buildings!), Klimt, Amerling, Kokoscha, Schiele, Hausner, Waldmuller, together with French Impressionism.

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Address: the baroque castle of Prinz Eugen

After Vienna was hit by a devastating epidemic, Emperor Charles VI ordered the construction of a church, dedicated to St. Charles Borromeo (an Italian saint canonized for his work during an epidemic). This church was constructed from during the year span from1716 to 1739. The works were begun by JB Fischer von Erlach, and were continued by his son Joseph Emanuel von Erlach. Now this church, with its impressive dome, looks like many buildings of Vienna do - white (or ivory) walls with green roof and dome - that’s the predominant style in the Austrian capital. Note the frescoes inside and a sculpture by Henry Moore outside.

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Musikverein is the Music Society of Vienna, home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Its most famous performance is, no doubt, the New Year Concert, when they invite one of the world-famous orchestra directors and show the world how the works of the Strauss dynasty (4 of them) are to be played. While tickets are difficult to come by, you can order them - more in a special tip:)))

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Address: Sights of Mozart,Beethoven,Strauss...