Wien is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating European capitals, being a bridge between east and west, an ideal melting pot of culture and Austrian influences of Eastern Europe. In Vienna living major markets throughout the year, depending on the seasons and the cultural variety, but during Advent the most beautiful places of the city are transformed as if by magic in the beautiful and quaint Christmas markets. Among the aroma of sweets and other delicacies, the smell of hot punch, soft lights that shine on monuments and palaces, Vienna exudes the most typical Christmas atmosphere and is tinged with nostalgic charm imperial.
From mid-November until Christmas the most beautiful places in Vienna are transformed into charming Christmas markets. With the aroma of Christmas cookies and hot punch spreads the Christmas atmosphere.
Time every year, the Magic of Advent transforms the square in front of City Hall in a shimmering land of fairy tales. About 150 vendors selling Christmas gifts, Christmas decorations, sweets and hot drinks. The trees in the park around the town hall are decorated to the nines and sparkle in a sea of lights. For children there are plenty of offers here.
The Christmas markets in the city
In the Austrian capital in the tradition of Christmas markets is very strong and provides for the setting up of stalls in various areas of the city, historically put to accommodate this practice, each with unique characteristics from time to time.
Christmas market on Town Hall Square (Wiener Christkindlmarkt in Rathausplatz) www.christkindlmarkt.at
Every year, during the four weeks preceding Christmas, the large square in front of the town hall houses along the perimeter of the park surrounding a myriad of glittering stalls, which offer a spectacular sight. Dominating the square, the big Christmas tree and gigantic wreath, twelve feet in diameter.
This is the Wiener Christkindlmarkt, the Viennese market of the Child Jesus, which takes place in Vienna for seven centuries and is arguably the oldest and most important of the city. After the first authorized in 1269 by the Emperor Albrecht I, this market over the centuries has gone from selling basic necessities to be one of the most traditional Christmas markets in the world, capable of attracting almost 3 million visitors each year.
The 150 wooden houses booths offering arts and crafts of all kinds, such as toys and glass decorations, clothing and typical products such as sweets, spicy roasted apples, candied fruit, gingerbread, roasted sausages, baked potatoes and mulled wine.
The Christkindlmarkt is by far the largest Christmas market in Vienna, and since it takes place in Rathausplatz since 1975, is celebrating its thirty-fifth anniversary in 2010, more reason not to miss the opportunity to visit you!
Christmas Market in Maria Theresia-Platz (Weihnachtsdorf) www.weihnachtsdorf.at
In the city center, on the Maria-Theresia-Platz between the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural History, is the most modern of the villages of Christmas in Vienna. This Christmas Market, said Weihnachtsdorf, is characterized by more than 60
stand with traditional crafts, gift ideas completely original and the inevitable company of mulled wine and local produce citizens.
Christmas Market at the old General Hospital of Vienna (Altes AKH)
The Christmas Market near the old hospital in Vienna offers the most romantic atmosphere of the city, articulated in the historic and quaint side streets teem especially young visitors.
Christmas market in Piazza Freyung in Old Vienna (Altwiener Christkindlmarkt) www.altwiener-markt.at
The Christmas Market is held in Old Vienna city’s old town, one of the most beautiful in the city center, framed by beautiful monuments such as the Fountain of Austria, the Viennese Palace and the Scots.
As the name suggests, this is one of the oldest Christmas Markets Viennese, which already has a long tradition dating back to 1772. The products that characterize it are fine glassware and ceramics, wicker baskets, stationery, puppets, small jewelry, cribs, herbal products and delicacies
also from monasteries.
Christmas Market and Culture in front of Schönbrunn Palace
The Christmas Market and Culture finds hospitality in the beautiful courtyard, the Ehrenhof, in front of Schönbrunn Palace, one of the most exquisitely baroque city, whose imperial atmosphere is underlined by the picturesque setting of the precious Christmas Market. Between the majestic decorations and the large Christmas tree that stands in front of the palace, are located approximately 65 exhibitors from Austria whole, offering fine local craft truly special. Some of these objects are made of natural materials, wooden and tin toys, cribs, hand-carved and exposure.
It should be noted also that the palace of Schönbrunn always takes place on the unique market of Last Year.
Christmas Market at Belvedere Palace (Schloss Belvedere)
In another scenario taste imperial takes place the Christmas market in front of the Belvedere Palace, considered one of the most beautiful Baroque buildings across Europe, located in Prinz Eugen-Strasse and custodian of the largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt. The Christmas market is composed of about 40 booths beautifully decorated, offering Austrian and international handicrafts, gingerbread, star of cinnamon, mulled wine and punch alcoholic and non-alcoholic.
Christmas Market at Karlsplatz
The Christmas Market is held more alternative of Vienna on Karlsplatz Square, in front of the Karlskirche. Here a committee of quality of design and production technique selects the products to be exhibited, choosing only the most valid and valuable. Among the many arts and crafts, you can buy wooden bowls, lamps, jewelry, metal and plant materials, musical instruments made of bamboo and natural cosmetics, all of high quality manufacturing.
Christmas Market Spittelberg www.spittelberg.at
The Christmas Market Spittelberg branches in the charming alleys of the city still paved in granite, where the Viennese tradition seems to be more alive and territoriality of the most obvious. One could say, therefore, that this Christmas Market is the most authentic of Vienna, surrounded by the historic shops and galleries of artists, which echoes the noise dell’acciottolato walking through stalls of unusual jewelery brass or enamel objects blown glass, carpets, works of batik and silk painting.
Christmas Market at the Imperial Palace Hof Festschloss
At about 50 km from Vienna, in the region of Lower Austria, is the fabulous Imperial Palace Festschloss Hof, one of the most important examples of Baroque architecture in Austria. At one time, it was used by Prince Eugene as a hunting lodge and summer residence, but after restored in 2005, hosts the weekend of the Christmas period a charming Christmas market, a must for any visitor who is in the vicinity of the capital.
Not only Christmas Markets
One of the prerogatives of the Christmas Markets in Vienna is the presence of initiatives that complement and enrich the stay of their visitors.
The Children’s Christmas
As always, one of the protagonists of Christmas we are children, who are dedicated to all kinds of events depending on the place or the place where you are located.
In Piazza Freyung among the favorite attractions there are puppet shows, while next to the Market Rathausplatz, the main square of the town hall, to lord it are the houses fairy theme, the talking trees, the twinkling stars, the candy giant hearts and bright.
By children of all ages are very much appreciated Laboratories, ideal for manual stimulation and creativity. One of these takes place in the Town Hall, to be precise in the room Volkshalle, and is called the Laboratory of the Child Jesus, in which children are encouraged to give free rein to their imagination to build with their hands gifts in clay, glass and paper, or to try to achieve
of typical sweets of the place. Something similar happens at the Imperial Schönbrunn Bakery, Café Restaurant Residenz, where the little ones can have fun to decorate and bake cookies like little gingerbread bakers alike. The Schönbrunn Palace offers very interesting initiatives, such as the Laboratory in the Children’s Museum of the Castle and the inevitable parade of Santa Claus at the market in front of the palace, among the favorite events with children.
Music
In Vienna, the adopted home of Mozart, music is an essential ingredient of Christmas. That’s why the offer is rich and concert singing, both in the sacred rooms of churches and cathedrals, both on the streets and in the auditorium.
In particular, the sites of the host cities of the Christmas Markets are constantly entertained by the typical Christmas songs and are often Theater concert performances of relief. The ideal sites for listening to music are varied: in addition to Rathausplatz, there is the stage near the big Christmas tree in front of Schönbrunn, where concerts are held every day of Advent, with groups of gospel, spirituals and Christmas music Austrian and international, but we should also remember the Belvedere Palace and Maria-Theresia Platz, where performances take place in traditional Austrian and wind instruments are housed gospel choirs and groups of carol Christmas accompanying gently purchases to markets.
LUOGHI E ORARI dei Mercatini di Natale 2013 a Vienna
16.11.2013 – 24.12.2013
Mercatino di Natale Viennese
Rathausplatz
Tutti i giorni dalle 10.00 alle 22:00
Venerdì & Sabato dalle 10.00 alle 22.00
24.12. dalle 10.00 alle 17.00
20.11.2013 – 26.12.2013
Mercatino di Natale in Maria-Theresien-Platz
Maria-Theresien-Platz
Tutti i giorni dalle 11.00 alle 21.00, Venerdi e Sabato fino alle ore 22,00
24.12. dalle 11.00 alle 16.00
25 e 26.12 dalle ore 11,00 alle ore 19,00 con stand gastronomici che aprono fino alle ore 22,00
16.11.2013 – 23.12.2013
Vecchio Mercatino di Natale Viennese (Altwiener Christkindlmarkt)
Freyung Platz
Dal lunedi al Venerdi dalle 14.00 alle 21.00 o max alle ore 22,00 a seconda degli stand
Sabato e Domenica dalle ore 11,00 alle ore 21,00 max alle ore 22,00 a seconda degli stand
23.11.2013 – 26.12.2013
Mercatino di Natale e di Cultura del Castello di Schönbrunn
Corte delle Parate di fronte allo Schönbrunn Palace
Apertura ed accensione dell’albero 23.11.2013 alle ore 16,00
dal 23.11.2013 al 23.12.2013 dalle 10.00 alle 21.00
24.12. dalle 10.00 alle 16.00
25.12. & 26.12. dalle 10.00 alle 19.00
27.12.2013 – 04.01.2014
Mercatino di Capodanno del Castello di Schönbrunn
Corte delle Parate di fronte al Castello di Schönbrunn
Tutti i giorni dalle 10.00 alle 19.00
23.11.2013 – 23.12.2013
Mercatino di Natale del Castello del Belvedere
Baroque Belvedere Palace Prinz Eugen-Strasse, 27
Dal lunedi al Venerdi dalle 11.00 alle 21.00
Sabato e Domenica dalle ore 10,00 alle ore 21,00
15.11.2013 – 23.12.2013
Mercatino di Natale di Spittelberg
Spittelbergase, Schrankgasse, Gutenberggasse
Da Lunedì a Giovedì dalle 14.00 alle 21.00
Venerdì dalle 14.00 alle 21.30
Sabato dalle 10.00 alle 21.30
Domenica dalle 10.00 alle 21.00
Vienna is one of the most popular and visited European capitals in the world. It is not overly large and has about 1,600,000 inhabitants, although still the capital of the region of Austria and Federal, as well as the largest and most populous city in Austria. Its central location, between Western and Eastern Europe, the history has been reason of vulnerability, of course, but also of great prosperity, linked to the presence of the Danube. In the last two centuries, in particular, Vienna has reached the apogee, becoming the capital of the most powerful European empire, the Hapsburgs, and represents one of the greatest centers of arts and Central European culture.
The extraordinary charm of this city depends undoubtedly echoes of imperial splendor, which still shine by its precious architecture, made of beautiful palaces, churches of every age and fairytale castles. Yet, more and more visitors who appreciate not only the charm of the past, but also bold contemporary buildings, the intense nightlife and vibrant cultural proposal from Vienna.
In short, the Austrian capital is able to provide enjoyment for all tastes, as a city of art and tradition, but also as a central city in Europe today, based, inter alia, various international institutions.
To be able to appreciate it fully takes at least 3 or 4 days to visit, but even a week might not be enough!
The Hofburg, the Imperial Palace in Vienna
The Hofburg has been for over 600 years the center of the Habsburg Empire, the imperial residence for excellence. From this place, the powerful family ruled from 1283 to 1806 that since the time of Charlemagne was called the Holy Roman Empire, and from 1806, the year of Napoleon, in 1918, the year of the final fall of the dynasty, was a guide of ‘Austro-Hungarian Empire. In addition to being the political and administrative, in the eighteenth century became the Hofburg winter residence of the imperial family, and since then it began to spend summers at Schönbrunn Palace, built by Empress Maria Theresa outside the city.
The structure of the Hofburg is a large architectural complex of 18 buildings with approximately 2,600 rooms in which you will find invaluable wealth accumulated in centuries of domination. Such pomp needed, according to the ceremonial of the Habsburg court, to ensure that each member could have their own apartment on each of several wings. From time to time, each emperor has left an imprint of himself, adding a wing, enriching the art collections or embellishing existing buildings, extensions that have occurred up until a few months before the outbreak of the Great War.
However, since ceased to exist a precise structural planning, the buildings of the Imperial Palace seem willing almost casually and without a unified style, because many changes have inevitably followed the styles and tastes of each era of the emperors. It ‘clear, however, that predominate Baroque and Neoclassical styles, that between the seventeenth and eighteenth century accompanied the incredible artistic flowering of the city Habsburg.
Are considered part of the Hofburg also Heldenplatz and Volksgarten and Burggarten parks, works of Napoleon, in 1809, demolished some areas of the complex to give space to the green.
Currently, the Hofburg performs various functions. In addition to the imperial apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and the famous wife Elizabeth, called Sissi, the countless rooms now house the Treasuries of the Habsburgs, the National Library, the famous Spanish Riding School, numerous museums and institutions, but also some ministries, the Chancellery and the residence of the President of the Republic of Austria.
In addition, to demonstrate the combination of past-present constant that characterizes Vienna, in some buildings of the palace space is also an important center for trade shows, conferences, concerts and other events.
The Imperial Apartments
In Reichskanzleitrakt and nell’Amalienburg, you can now visit the former apartments of Franz Joseph and Elizabeth, between public and private rooms, perfectly describe the courtly tradition and lifestyle of the imperial nineteenth century. Among the furnishings and decorations, mostly dating back to the second half of the nineteenth century, the most interesting are the ceramic heaters, which were fueled by wood from the outside through special corridors, to avoid soiling the rooms, and crystal chandeliers of Bohemia, having candles until the late nineteenth century.
The House of Treasures (Schatzkammer)
The Imperial House of Treasures contains an extraordinary collection of precious objects, among the most conspicuous of the world, despite the fact that the Habsburgs, went into exile in 1918, they have brought with them a good deal.
The House has 21 rooms and is divided into two parts: one is dedicated to the sacred treasures, the other houses the treasures trees.
Among the religious treasures you can remember the stock of S. Stefano, which would have contained the blood of the first Christian martyr, the Cross reliquary containing a fragment of the Holy Cross of Golgotha and a shrine where he kept a tooth of Saint Peter.
Among the treasures is also that of the old Holy Roman Empire, of which the most prized piece is the crown that for a thousand years was the emblem of sovereignty over much of Europe and has long been considered the crown of Charles Great, actually created by Otto I in the tenth century.
In addition, wherever one is amazed by the quantity and beauty of gold and precious stones. Among the most beautiful jewels on display is Colombia’s emerald of 2,680 carats, the Golden Rose of Joseph of Spain and the Imperial Eagle biceps in amethyst, opal and hyacinth.
The Spanish Riding School
The building is home to what was once the academy riding the Habsburg royal family, a school founded in the sixteenth century and named for the original use of horses imported from Spain. Later, they were chosen Lipizzaner horses, the characteristic gray coat, so called because the original town of Lipica in Slovenia today, where Maximilian II wanted to start to raise it in the sixteenth century. Today, the school is specialized in the art of dressage, based on the exercise of skill, and the breeding of horses is Piber in Styria.
The Schönbrunn Palace
With Hofburg, Schönbrunn Palace is another symbol of the great imperial Vienna, the summer residence of the Habsburgs from 1730 to 1918. The complex is one of the most important monuments in Austria, as well as a national monument, and in 1996 joined on the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Its structure is composed, in addition to the castle itself, a surrounding park with its fountains and statues, a number of outbuildings and a zoo is the oldest in the world.
The castle
(Open April 1 to June 30 and September 1 to October 31 from 8:30 to 17:00, November 1 to March 31 from 8:30 to 16:30 and 1 July to 31 August from 8.30 to 18.00)
The central part is the actual structure of the castle was built between 1696 and 1700. At Joseph’s death, however, the work stopped until Maria Teresa gave to draw up a new project and continue their work, which was completed in 1749. Was the Empress in person to choose the decor of 1440 rooms, of which only 45 can be visited today, calling from Europe’s most renowned artists and artisans of the time.
Ideally, you could start by visiting the Castle Courtyard of Honour, that in the days of Advent has a delightful Christmas Market. The sumptuous lobby leads on the right side to Schlosstheater, much loved by Maria Theresa, unique Baroque theater still preserved in Vienna.
Visiting the fairy halls, one is struck by the glitz and the variety of styles that characterize them. Each room or hall, in fact, tell stories, reflect the personality of the emperors who have inhabited. Are very simple and basic as those of Franz Joseph. Among the most famous are the Spiegelsaal (Hall of Mirrors), where Mozart performed at the age of six years before the Empress Maria Theresa, and Zeremoniensaal (Hall of Ceremonies), the scene of many weddings and baptisms imperial.
From the main courtyard gives access to Wagenburg, the carriage collection of the Habsburgs, where you can admire but also carriages and sleds of the children of House of Habsburg. Among the most valuable pieces of the carriage is representative of Franz Joseph, the gilded carriage of Francis Stephen of Lorraine and the hearse used for the funeral of Sissi and Emperor Franz Joseph.
The park
Around 1779 the castle park was opened to the public and then it is a recreational place much loved by the Viennese and visitors, open from dawn to dusk. The park, which stretches from east to west for 1.2 km, and from north to south for about 1 km, form the building a whole in constant mutual reference, according to the understanding that nature and Baroque architecture must interpenetrate . Principle on which they are based, among other things the latest changes made by Maria Theresa and keep the current structure.
foot of the hill of Schönbrunn is the Neptune fountain, completed in 1780, and to the left is the ruin of Rome. The latter, completed in 1778, a time symbolized Carthage destroyed by Hercules with a flood, but after 1800 assumed its present name, to symbolize the descent of the Habsburgs by the Roman Empire.
Near the Roman ruins and the Fountain of Neptune is the source that gives its name to the castle: Schöner Brunnen (beautiful fountain). Behind it stands the hill of the Gloriette, built in 1775 and connected by a staircase to a platform from which you can enjoy a magnificent view of Vienna.
The western part of the park is home to the Tiergarten, one of the oldest zoos in Europe, founded by Francis Stephen of Lorraine in 1752. On the same side of the park is the Palm House, the Palm House, the House and the beautiful butterfly (Schmetterlingshaus) in Sonnenuhrhaus.
The Belvedere Palace
The Belvedere Palace is actually composed of two castles, the Upper Belvedere and the Lower Belvedere, connected by a long and wide turned up in the garden.
Were built in the eighteenth century as a summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1663-1736), who entrusted the design to one of the most important architects of the Baroque, Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt.
The castle has extensive gardens and is one of the most beautiful baroque architectural complex in the world.
The Marble Hall offers a splendid view of the entire Vienna and was the site of important events in the Upper Belvedere, mostly used as building rapprsentanza. The Lower Belvedere is to visit especially for luxury apartments and boardrooms a time of Prince Eugene, as the Hall of Grotesques, the Marble Gallery and the Camera d’Oro.
Today it houses the Austrian Gallery Belvedere (Österreichische Galerie Belvedere), an extraordinary exhibition brings together works of art that belonged to the powerful Hapsburg family.
The Secession
Designed in 1897 by architect Joseph Maria Olbrich as a manifesto of the Secession movement, this palace is one of the architectural masterpieces of Art Nouveau in Vienna.
The artistic and cultural movement of the Vienna Secession was founded at the beginning of the twentieth century with the motto ihre Zeit Der Kunst der Kunst ihre Freiheit (at every age its art, to art its freedom). Of this new association formed part of the painters Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele, the architects Otto Wagner and Joseph Maria Olbrich and many other artists who embraced the same ideas of freedom and innovation. They shared the new style called Art Nouveau, Art Nouveau or Jugendstil, depending on the country in which it spread between Europe and the United States, which involved between 1890 and 1910 the visual arts, architecture and applied arts.
Through the group of the Secession, Vienna Jugendstil spread heavily, deeply affecting the face of the city. However, when the palace was built between 1897 and 1898, he was greeted with horror by the representatives of traditional and many Viennese. Critics compared him with contempt to a “public toilet” or “storage”, totally inadequate to host art exhibitions. In fact, it is not only represented the seat of the Secession movement, but also had to accommodate the Viennese avant-garde exhibitions, rejected and denigrated official art.
One of the most famous works of this avant-garde is the Beethovenfries (the Beethoven frieze), a series of pictures painted by Gustav Klimt, 34 meters long and 2 meters high, on 3 walls of a room inside of the Secession. It ‘s so called because it is inspired by some reasons for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and was placed in the palace in 1902, for an exhibition that paid homage to its famous German composer.
The St. Stephen’s Cathedral
The St. Stephen’s Cathedral is not only the largest religious building and most beautiful in Austria, but it was for centuries the “official” church of the royal house of Habsburg, which were celebrated the marriages of princes and emperors, baptized their children, preserved urns and sarcophagi of Viennese noblemen, dukes and many of the Habsburgs.
The building is really exceptional dimensions and a majestic bell tower, the highest in Austria, affectionately known as the Viennese “Steffl” has become the symbol of the city. Since during the Hapsburg domination cathedral symbolized the strong union between the Church and the Empire, it was necessary for its bell tower svettasse most of all and that was imposed on the city of Linz to stop two meters below in the construction of their own. Another symbol of pomp and power is the roof of the cathedral, decorated with polychrome tiles almost 250,000 representing the coats of arms of Austria, Vienna and the Habsburgs.
The first church built on the spot where now stands the cathedral was a Romanesque basilica in 1150, which at present, however, there are no more tracks, except for the portal of the Giants (the main entrance of the cathedral) and the two towers of the Pagani that flank. The curious name of the Portal comes from a tibia of a mammoth found during construction work and at that time it was believed the leg of a giant drowned during the flood.
Between 1300 and 1450, the cathedral was extensively renovated, so getting a bit ‘at a time, today’s Gothic appearance. But in the following centuries it underwent further extensions and embellishments, in part made necessary to repair the damages of war, undertaken in part to the desire of the rulers to leave its mark as well in the future.
How many churches of the Romanesque and Gothic architecture, also St. Stephen’s Cathedral was built so that the altar was turned to the east and, in this case, so that every December 26, the feast of St. Stephen, the axis that runs entry altar look toward the sunrise.
The district of Grinzing
In all probability, Vienna is the only capital in the world where you cultivate the screws. The center of this activity, a little ‘unusual for a city, is the district of Grinzing, ancient wine growing village on the slopes of the foothills of the Wienerwald, which became in 1893 a district of Vienna. Walking through the narrow streets, you have the feeling of being in a small country town, not to be in the neighborhood of a metropolis. The low houses and all different colors create an almost fairytale.
But the real charm of Grinzing is in the many wine taverns, where the local tradition to drink the wine of the new season and you can taste a variety of traditional local dishes, mostly cold dishes with cheese, bacon, bacon, ham, eggs and different types of bread. In fact today, due to the overcrowding of tourists, Grinzing has lost some of its charm and many of its delightful cafes have become real restaurants with everything it offers the excellent Austrian cuisine. However, you can still find smaller places and traditional where you can still breathe the atmosphere of a time, and with a glass of wine and a delicacy, you will be entertained by Schrammeln, small groups of four musicians who play nice folk music.
In addition to Grinzing, other other districts of Vienna offer these typical inns Heiligenstadt, Sievering, Neustift am Walde, Stammersdorf, Strebersdorf, Mauer, and Oberlaa Nussdorf.
in the photo Rathaus ( City Hall)
The Ringstrasse
The Ring is a ring of boulevards along 4 km around the center of Vienna. The great street of communication, commissioned by the Emperor Franz Joseph, was built together with all the buildings facing it from 1857, when it was demolished the massive complex of walls that surrounded the fourteenth century Vienna.
The public and private buildings along the Ringstrasse follow various styles, from neo-Gothic to Renaissance, from Baroque to Neoclassicism, making this one of the most elegant in the world.
Here are some of the main buildings that are found there: the Old Stock Exchange, the University of Vienna, founded in 1365, the Votive Church, built by Maximilian after the failed attempt on his brother, Emperor Franz Joseph in 1853, the New Town Hall, on which the square is the largest and oldest Christmas market in Vienna, the Parliament, the State Opera, the Museum of Natural History and the Museum of History of Art, located opposite one another.
And then the city park with the monument to Richard Strauss, the monuments to Schiller and Goethe (facing each other), the monument to Mozart, the monument to Maria Theresa (in front of the Museum of Art History, and finally the Café Landtmann and many other typical Viennese cafés, such Kaffeehäuser.
The Prater, Amuse quartier in Wien
KITCHEN
If you are visiting Vienna, can not miss a trip in one of his famous coffee Kaffeehäuser those who fill the streets of the city, including the Ringstrasse. Here, between sips, you can taste some of the typical sweets of the city, first of all the famous Sachertorte. Legend has it that this cake was invented in 1832 by Franz Sacher, an apprentice cook just sixteen, who introduced her to Prince Metternich. The recipe spread throughout the world, however, differs in part from the original, which is jealously preserved at the Hotel Sacher in Vienna.
But the culinary offerings of the city is also much richer. Vienna it is the only city in the world that has given its name to a style of cooking in its own right, or the Viennese cuisine. Crossed by the influence of the most diverse countries, Vienna is home to a kitchen full of variations, imaginative and always ready to surprise us with new recipes.
Among the most famous include: the Wiener Schnitzel (Viennese cutlet), the Erdäpfelgulasch (goulash with potatoes), the Faschierte Laibchen (meatballs), the Rindsuppe (beef soup), the Frittatensuppe (soup pancakes) the Gefüllte Paprika (stuffed peppers), the Käsespätzle (dumplings with cheese), the Semmelknödel (bread dumplings), the Topfenknödel (dumplings riccotta).
And then lots of sweets: the Apfelstrudel (apple strudel), the Kaiserschmarrn (torn imperial), the Marmorkuchen (marble cake) and Palatschinken (sweet omelette).
MUSEUMS
Museums Hofburg
Inside the Hofburg, the Imperial Palace of the city contains numerous museums: the Museum of Ethnology, the Papyrus Museum, the Austrian Museum of Cinema, the Austrian Museum of Theatre, the Museum of Austrian Culture, the Museum ‘ Esperanto, the museum of Silverware and the Sisi Museum.
The Museum of Silverware is located in the wing of the Imperial Chancellery (Imperial Chancellery) and reconstructs the former Chamber of Silverware and Tableware of the imperial house, picking up pieces of inestimable value and the most renowned European manufacturers. At the time, the administration of the House and silver collection was entrusted to the Grand Master of the House, the figure already attested in the fifteenth century the Habsburg court. At the end of the Habsburg monarchy in 1918, the government of the imperial house was dissolved and the objects once belonged to the empire became the property of the Republic of Austria. Some pieces were sold, but most remained a member of the Chamber of Silverware and Tableware court. Of these, some are part of a collection in use in official representation of the Republic of Austria, while the others were exposed to the public since 1923. In particular, since 1995 was inaugurated the museum of Silverware, hosting about 7,000 of the 150,000 pieces in the collection.
Always Hofburg is the delicious Sisi Museum, opened in 2004 and dedicated to the famous princess bride of Francis Joseph. In the six rooms that make up the famous designer Rolf Langenfass has created an impressive staging that reveals the unique character of Elizabeth, beyond the usual clichées the girl happy and carefree. On the contrary, Sissi was a very shy and reserved, sometimes melancholy. Through a path marked by the lyrics composed by herself, you can see more than 300 personal items of the princess: parasol, fan, gloves, beauty recipes, necessaire toiletries, first aid kit, travel, reproduction apparel he wore during the bachelorette party, the original file that was the weapon of the attack, which previously had been kept strictly under lock and key, a partial reconstruction of a luxurious car-sitting of the court. Other objects, such as christening gown and a baby tooth Sissi, are exposed to the public only on special occasions.
The Museum of Natural History
The Naturhistorisches Museum in Vienna is one of the largest natural history museums in the world and the largest museum in Austria. It was opened in 1891 on the famous Ringstrasse, together with the Museum of Art History in Vienna (Kunsthistorisches Museum), which is located right in front of Maria-Theresia-Platz and it shares the appearance.
The Museum of Natural History fascinating collections of natural history, geology and archeology. Among the most interesting, there are collections of insects, dating back to 1793 and belonged to Francis I of Austria. These old collections were destroyed by fire in 1848, but repopulated in 1859 when the frigate Novara came back from a trip around the world with many new bugs.
The Museum of the History of Art
The Kunsthistorisches Museum is home to all the art treasures collected by the Habsburgs and is among the most important art museums and beautiful in the world. Such as the Museum of Natural Sciences, was built between 1872 and 1891, the date of the Ringstrasse. The two buildings have a structure identical external and both sides sandstone, opposed to each other, overlooking the Ringstrasse and the Maria-Theresia-Platz. Their dual construction was commissioned by Emperor Francis I, to contain the huge collection of works of art of the Habsburgs and make it accessible to all.
In addition to the paintings of the members of the House of Habsburg, there are also the Egyptian collection (Eastern Ägyptisch Orientalische-Sammlung), the collection of ancient Roman and Greek (antiquities), one of sculpture and decorative arts (Kunstkammer), the numismatic ( Münzkabinett) and library (Museumsbibliothek).
The Österreichische Galerie Belvedere
At the Belvedere Palace, built for Prince Eugene of Savoy, is situated the Österreichische Galerie Belvedere, one of the major art museums of Vienna, with works from the Middle Ages until today.
One of the first important works acquired by the gallery in 1903 there were those resulting from exposure of the Secession. These works represent the very basis of the Gallery, and are shown in the Upper Belvedere. Among them, we must remember the works of Klimt, featuring 28 paintings, including “The Kiss” and “Judith I”, which form the largest collection of works by the famous painter. In other rooms there are also some works by Egon Schiele and Oskar Kokoschka, paintings of French, the masterpieces of Baroque and, since 2007, also the collection “Meisterwerke des Mittelalters” (masterpieces of the Middle Ages).
In the Lower Belvedere, the so-called “Prunkstall” (Scuderia representation), we have the second part of the collection of medieval art. Here and in the Orangerie are also special exhibitions hosted the Belvedere.
The MuseumsQuartier
With its 50 centers of contemporary art and culture, the Museumsquartier Wien is one of the ten largest cultural districts in the world, visited each year by over 3 million people. The Museum Quarter, the Viennese simply called MQ, is located in the district of Neubau, a short walk from the Ringstrasse and close to the Kunsthistorisches Museum and Naturhistorisches Museum.
A structure somewhere between modern and baroque, which as many as 60,000-square-foot home to many events: visual art, architecture, music, theater, dance, as well as new media design, film, culture for children and young people, and eight different exercises food.
Inside are placed several important museums, including the MUMOK Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the ZOOM children’s museum, the children’s museum.
The house-museum of Sigmund Freud
On the first floor in Berggasse 19 is located the house where Sigmund Freud lived from 1891 to 1938, now converted into a museum about his life.
In this house were held the meetings of the first Psychoanalytic Society in its rooms Freud wrote many of his works, including “The Interpretation of Dreams.”
Inside are collected several documents, photographs, memorabilia and antiques that he liked to collect. Missing the couch on which Freud did stretch his patients, ended in London where he took refuge with his wife in 1938, after the first Nazi raids and where he died in 1939. However, it is preserved almost intact the waiting room, with velvet armchairs and other furniture donated to the museum by his daughter Anna.
In a small room you can also see the rare film of Sigmund Freud and his family.
