"Vienna" a Vienna Travel Page by kris-t

Vienna is one of Europe's finest cities and the long and rich history give her a prominent place in Western Civilization and World Culture.

Situated both sides of the River Danube, and only 60 kilometers off Austria's Eastern border, Vienna lies on the South East corner of Central Europe and in close reach to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.

Founded around 500 BC Vienna was originally a Celtic settlement: "Uindobona" 'Fair Bottomland'.

In 15 BC, Vienna became a Roman frontier city ("Vindobona") guarding the Roman Empire against German tribes to the north. During the Middle Ages, Vienna was home of the Babenberg Dynasty and in 1440 became residence city of the Habsburg Dynasties from where Vienna eventually grew to become the secret capital of the Holy Roman Empire and a cultural center for arts and science, music and fine cuisine. The Ottoman-Turkish invasions of Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries were stopped twice just outside Vienna. See the Siege of Vienna (1529) and the Battle of Vienna (1683).

In 1804 Vienna became capital of the Austrian Empire - the later Austro-Hungarian Empire, both played a major role in European and World politics.

Art and culture have a long tradition in Vienna, in the areas of theatre, opera, classical music and fine arts. Apart from the Burgtheater which, together with its branch, the Akademietheater is considered one of the best theatres in the German-speaking world, the Volkstheater and the Theater in der Josefstadt also offer high-quality theatre entertainment. Also, there is a multitude of smaller theatres, often equal in quality to their larger counterparts and in many cases devoted to less mainstream forms of performing arts such as modern, experimental plays or cabaret.

Vienna also offers a great many opportunities for opera lovers: The Staatsoper and the Volksoper offer something for everyone, the latter being especially devoted to the typical Viennese operetta. Concerts of classical music are performed, among others, in the well known Wiener Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, and in the Wiener Konzerthaus. In addition, various concert venues offer concerts aimed at visitors, featuring the best known highlights of Viennese music (particularly the works of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johann Strauss).