Rathausplatz Weihnachtsmarkt and other Vienna, Austria Things to Do Tips

The Rathausplatzweihnachtsmarkt is the biggest one - although possibly not the best. It is certainly though the more touristy one of all. There are a large number of stands selling, jewellery, picture frames, toys, chocolates, balloons and of course the Punsch stands.

The process for buying Punsch is the same at all Christmas markets - you pay a deposit for a cup, which you pay with your first drink. Thereafter you can take the cup back to any stand or have a refill. A lot of people tend to take the mugs home with them (hence the necessity of the deposit - this year it is €2). There are also a number of fairground style roundabouts and rides for children - for whom wandering through the hordes is not the funnest experience.

From twilight on the market is usually packed with people - regardless of what day of the week You are advised to take good care of your personal possessions - there are apparently pick-pictures circulating and the densely crowded square is a perfect haven for them.

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Address: Rathausplatz, A-1010 Wien

Whilst the Museumsquartier receives a great deal of plaudits, the Museum der Stadt Wien seems to go largely unnoticed, with its premises in Karlsplatz being in a fairly nondescript post-war building, whilst the Museumsquartier basks in architectural magnificence. The museum focuses on the art history and geographical history of Vienna through the ages with a wide range of paintings and artefacts from through the ages, as well as reconstructed displays from items such as Adolf Loos' living room or Grillparzer's apartment. On the artistic side there are pieces by Klimt and Schiele on display as well as work from the Wiener Werkstätte. There are also other items which plot the development of the city - such as models of the city. The museum is due to be shut for much of the first half of 2006 for renovation work (end of January until end of April 2006). As well as the permanent collections there are also a lot of temporary exhibitions - in particular photographic ones.

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Address: Karlsplatz
Directions: Open Tue-Sun 9am-6pm with extended opening hours.
Near the Karlskirche and the Musikverein.

U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz
1,2,D,J trams
Website: www.wienmuseum.at

A rather touristically clichéed mode of transport in Vienna is to take a Fiaker - a horse-drawn carriage around Vienna. Prices can vary somewhat but for a 20 minute ride you can expect to pay between EUR 50 and EUR 70. Sure you'll get to see some of the sights and have an experience reminiscent of the long-gone k.u.k. era, but if you are unlucky you might have a pony ride which doesn't really satisfy you as it should! There are Fiaker stands all around the 1st district by the major sights - and usually the drivers speak English and will point out sights.

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Address: Vienna's famous horse carriages

The "Mad people's tower" - or Narrenturm - is a circular building that I overlook from my office in the Oesterreichische Nationalbank. It was part of the old Vienna General Hospital complex (altes AKH) and is now the national anatomy and pathology museum. A guided tour lasting 40 minutes can be taken. Its collection is broken down into four different types of exhibit:

1) Maceration Preparations: Dry preparations of bones and other body parts with pathological changes
2) Wet Preparations: Human and animal cadaveric parts preserved in formaldehyde.
3) Moulages: Castings of pathological body parts in wax or paraffin.
4) Devices: Old and new medical devices illustrating specific diseases.

Entrance costs EUR 2. It is not one for the faint-hearted but is of great interest for people with an interest in pathology.

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Phone: +4314068672-2
Address: Uni Campus, Spitalgasse 2 A-1090 Wien
Directions: In the "Altes AKH" complex - close to the University.

Opening hours: Wednesdays 15.00-18.00, Thursdays 08.00-11.00, every first Saturday of the month 10.00-13.00. Closed on public holidays.
Website: www.narrenturm.at

The Karlskirche, which is dedicated to St Charles Borromeo, the Saint associated with the relief from the plague, was built as thanks for the end of the plague in Vienna in 1713. It was designed and built by Johann Bernard Fischer von Erlach and his son, Josef Emanuel and took 26 years to build. The columns, which are freestanding on either side of the Cathedral, have reliefwork depictions and for all its grandeur externally, the church is refreshingly plain inside. In winter the pond in front of the church is drained, in summer it is a rather fine duck pond. It can be seen across the Resselpark and looks equally impressive by night when it is usually lit up.

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Phone: +43 1 5056294
Address: Karlsplatz
Directions: U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz/Oper - 1,2, 62, 65, J and D trams

A trip to Vienna isn't complete within something Third Man-related. You could get ripped off by going to the Prater and taking a trip on the Riesenrad, where the famous "Cuckoo Clock" line is delivered, or otherwise you could enjoy the film in the cinema. Every Friday night, just before midnight, the Burgkino shows the Third Man in its Studio cinema - there are always a few people there watching it. Otherwise there is also a Sunday afternoon showing. Tickets cost €7.50 each.

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Address: Burgkino, Opernring 19, A-1010 Wien
Directions: Just round from the opera house
Website: www.burgkino.at

The Parlament building was constructed between 1873 and 1883, and was designed in the style of the Greek revival by Theophil Hansen. In front of the building is the famous Pallas Athena fountain - which after renovation works is now once again open to the public to see. The building has served as a parliament building since its construction and is home to the lower and upper houses of parliament, both of which are composed of elected politicians.

The Parlament has been undergoing restoration work for several years now, and is now finished - you can once again walk up the ramp and admire the view to the Hofburg and the building is once again in pristine condition.

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Directions: U2/U3 Volkstheater
J tram to Stadiongasse Parlament
Ringlinien (1 and 2) and tram D

It is good fortune that the secession still survives - even if it has now been immortalized on the Austrian 50 cent coin. The Secession was built in 1897-8 and was designed by Josef Olbrich. After severe damage in World War II it was not until the 1980s that it was restored to its original glory.

In its centenary year, it was sponge painted red. Its dome (cupola) of golden laurel leaves has been ornately restored - it is a sight to behold being an orgy of gold-plated leaves. The entrance is also grand - with the motto "Der Zeit ihre Kunst, der Kunst ihre Freiheit" - "To the age its art, to art its freedom" as well as three gorgons above the door representing Malerei, Architektur and Plastik - painting, architecture and sculpture. Above the entrance you can read the motto of the secessionist: "Der Zeit ihre Kunst. Der Kunst ihre Freiheit."

Inside there is the very controversial and famous Beethoven frieze - which looks remarkably unfinished and which was conceived as a homage to the composer for a 1902 exhibition, which was Gustav Klimt's contribution to the exhibition. Otherwise the Secession has now become a home to contemporary art - there are a range of constantly changing exhibitions - as well as a customary over-priced souvenir shop.

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Phone: 587 5307
Address: Friedrichstrasse 12, A-1010
Directions: At the end of the Naschmarkt, and within walking distance of the Opera House. Underground: U1, U2, U4 Karlsplatz
Website: www.secession.at

Whilst walking up from the Stephansdom along Rotenturmstrasse, many people don't notice the John F. Kennedy memorial. Vienna has a special affinity with JFK - in Hietzing the Underground station is at Kennedybrücke - the other permanent memorial to Kennedy in Vienna after his assassination in 1963. This memorial is somewhat overlooked - very simple but as a result so unobtrusive.

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Address: The old part of Vienna inside the Ringstrasse
Directions: On the corner of Lichtensteg and Rotenturmstrasse.

The Pallas Athena statue has recently been restored, as part of the restoration of the Parlament, its ramp and facade. It is a fine statue and looks even better now that it has been cleaned up and restored.

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Address: Parlament Building, Ringstrasse
Directions: U2/U3 Volkstheater
J tram to Stadiongasse Parlament
Ringlinien (1 and 2) and tram D