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For classical music and opera aficionados, Vienna, Austria is a must visit. This decadent, beautiful city is full of lovely cafes, art scenes, and impressive palaces. Famous residents in Austria’s capital have included the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms. It is also home to some of the finest Lipizzaner dressage horses in the world. To explore the city is to feel a part of its grand history and culture, as homage to the past is prevalent everywhere.
Classical Music History in Vienna
The beautiful city is also known as the 'capital of classical music' and entails a huge history of classical music and well-known artists. This wonderful place is not only for the music enthusiasts but also for the newbies who are here to open their minds to the joys of the dramatic symphony of opera.
The city has been the hub of classical music in Austria throughout the 19th century, asking them synonymous in today's world. During the early 1900s, the overwhelming influx of new arising music talent was accommodated by building various grand opera houses and performance halls.
The tradition of music in Vienna has been there for centuries passing on from one great composer to another throughout Vienna history. One of the most famous and oldest artists of the Vienna Classic period is Joseph Haydn, whose music is still admired around the world without the barrier of language or anything else.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was among one of the greatest admirers of Hayden and had dedicated six strings quartets to Haydn. Beethoven came to take lessons from him all the way from Germany. He then spent almost thirty-five years of his life in Vienna, contributing a lot to the era of classical music with his symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and an opera Fidelio.
Franz Schubert was a great admirer of Beethoven's work but never met him. He composed more than a thousand musical works before dying at the age of 31. Schubert celebrated musical evenings with his friends which they called "Schubertiade”, which became a tradition later on, not only in Vienna but in various other regions.
Known as God's Musician, Anton Bruckner is another great name in the musical history of Vienna. Born in the early nineteenth century, Bruckner composed various glorious symphonies that were famous for their imposing grandeur. During Bruckner's time, another great musician, Johannes Brahms from Northern Germany, moved to Vienna to pursue his ambition in music.
The Vienna audience was divided into two groups; Bruckner's followers and Johannes followers, which coexist happily in today's audience. Gustav Mahler, Johann Strauss Son, Arnold Schonberg, Alan Berg, and Anton Von Webern are also some of the most prominent names of that time.
Top historical sites in Vienna
Vienna is home to various time-honored monuments, buildings, palaces, and parks that give you a glimpse of the glorious past of the city. Take a walk through the rich history of the region and visit the most important historical sites to get a detailed insight.
1. Schonbrunn Palace
The imperial palace is one of the most important historical sites of Vienna that has retained its original form since its inception. The 1,441 room palace attracts a huge number of visitors annually.
Apart from being the display of interests and aspirations of Habsburg monarchs, this place is famous for its Baroque style gardens and the oldest zoo in the world, Schonbrunn Zoo, with more than 700 animal species.
2. Historic Center of Vienna
Regarded as one of the most beautiful landmarks of Europe, the historic center of Vienna city has all the qualities to be declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The architecture of the place reflects the huge historical significance and represents various political periods throughout time.
You will clearly observe a touch of the Baroque period, middle Ages, and even Grunderzeit. Before turning into a medieval city, the place was home to Celtic and Roman settlements. The historic core is filled with various government buildings and museums with architectural imprints of history and cultures.
3. St Stephen's Cathedral
Attracting about three million tourists annually, the church is a cultural symbol and icon of Austrian identity. The tall Romanesque towers and multicolored tile roof makes it one of the most significant images of the city.
The cathedral stands on the ancient remains of the original that was destroyed mostly during World War II. The repaired and rebuilt structure is a mixture of Gothic and Roman styles.
4. Belvedere Palace
The former royal residence of the Austrian Prince Eugene of Savoy, the historic site is home to a vast collection of Austrian art. The two Baroque palaces, Upper and Lower, facing each other on sloping hills, are situated among a park with Baroque sculptures and beautiful decorative fountains. Each of the palaces has a huge collection of impressionism, expressionism, contemporary art, medieval art, and Baroque art.
5. Karlskirche
The cathedral is mainly famous for its beautiful dome and two flanking columns of bas reliefs on sides. The 18th-century Baroque church was commissioned by the Roman Emperor Charles VI after the last great plague epidemic. This religious building is one of the most famous historical sites in the city. The two-columns are a reminder of the columns standing in front of the Jerusalem Temple.
6. Hofburg Palace
Located in the city center, this former imperial palace was the official workplace and residence of the Austrian President. Dating back to the 13th century, the palace has been the home to many powerful people in the history of Austria and Europe.
The Schonbrunn Palace was the summer residence of the royals while this was the imperial winter residence. With its Baroque style architecture, the palace is one of the best buildings of European history.
Top cultural activities in Vienna
Vienna has a lot to do and see, depending on the taste and backgrounds of people visiting the city. With its diverse history and significant historical points, Vienna also has a great cultural impact on the world, especially in the field of music.
Various places have performances and shows going on all year round that you can enjoy when in Vienna.
1. State Opera House
The Vienna State Opera House is one of the most significant opera houses in the world, with about 300 performances given every year. There is a high possibility that you get the chance to see a musical performance here during your stay. Not just the musical performance but the artistic architecture and the ambiance of the place will make your visit unforgettable for life.
2. Musikverein
If you are a fan of classical music, then your visit to Vienna is incomplete if you don't attend a performance at Musikverein, the home to Vienna Philharmonic orchestra. With one of the world's finest acoustic halls, this place holds its position among top significant places for its musical purity and is considered to be the center of the musical culture of Vienna. You are most likely to witness a Mozart or Beethoven performance that is played frequently as well as some other famous composers being played here.
3. Schönbrunn Palace Evening Concert
One of the most classical events of the city, the concert at the Schonbrunn Palace, is just like a royal ball. Attendants are required to come in formal dresses and enjoy the music pieces of Strauss and Mozart by the Schonbrunn Palace Festival Orchestra.
The unique performances are accompanied by opera singers as well as ballet dancers. It is better to make your booking in advance as you might be unable to get tickets on the same day.
4. Spanish Riding School
This is a traditional horse riding school with Lipizzan horses that puts up performances and shows for the entertainment of visitors. Established in 1572, it has the privilege to be the oldest riding school in the world.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the school demonstrates the Haute Ecole, which is a Renaissance tradition, and the Lipizzaner horses are specially bred and trained for the purpose.
5. Sound Of Vienna
The place has kept the sounds of Strauss and Mozart alive for the past 15 years. The concert here is a true indulgence as it is coupled with opera singers and musicians and ballet dancers, who not only showcase the nuance of the music but give you the glimpse of Viennese culture and charm
Is Vienna expensive?
Vienna is the capital city of one of the richest nations of the world, so you should expect it to be a bit expensive, but it is not much costly compared to other big cities of the EU and lies on the average line.
Expect your average daily cost for a vacation in Vienna to be somewhere around $125. The budget can go up and down depending upon the choices you make regarding accommodation, transportation, food, and activities.
For example, lunch from a takeaway shop or street food will cost you $5 per meal while dining in a sit-down restaurant will be up to $23 or maybe more. Traveling in the taxi will cost you more compared to local transportation. There is a huge price difference for a luxurious hotel room or a hostel room.
Do most Austria tours visit Vienna?
The beautiful capital of the country and musical hub of the world is a place not to be missed during Austria tours. Your trip will never be completed without enjoying the hub of Classical music in Austria and exploration of Vienna history.
Most of the Austria tours include a trip to Vienna because it is one of the most important cities in the country.
Viennese Food
Not only the hub of classical music in Austria, but this capital city is also a place where you have the chance to taste local cuisine and all special dishes.
1. Wiener Schnitzel
This is the most popular dish in Vienna that completes your trip. A very thin slice of meat, originally veal, is coated in breadcrumbs and pan-fried in butter or oil. The delicious delight is served with some potato side dish.
2. Apfelstrudel (Apple Strudel)
Vienna's food list is incomplete without Apple Strudel, a delicious sweet traditional delight. The pastry is stuffed with apple, cinnamon, sugar, and raisins and is served topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Enjoy it with black tea or Viennese coffee.
3. Sachertorte
The dense chocolate sponge cake with layers of apricot jam, and a semi-firm chocolate icing, usually topped with whipped cream, is one of the tastiest desserts in Vienna. Though you find it all over Vienna, the original recipe is said to be guarded at Hotel Sacher, the place of its invention.
4. Kaiserschmarrn
Another mouthwatering dessert in Vienna is Kaiserschmarrn, also called the emperor's pancake for being the favorite of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph. Apple or nuts are added to the big fluffy pancakes during the making. The ready pancake piece is shredded into smaller pieces and dusted with sugar powder, caramelized, or covered with fruit jam.
5. Austrian Potato Salad
The fresh and healthy salad is free of mayonnaise instead of prepared using white vinegar, red onions, a little mustard, chives, salt, and pepper. Some may also add chicken or meat stock, so if you are a vegetarian, make sure your order doesn't contain it. The delicious salad is paired with almost anything, including sausages, schnitzel, asparagus, or other vegetables.
Festivals in Vienna
1. Resonanzen Festival
This musical festival is held every year in January for nine days when the city celebrates Baroque, Renaissance and Medieval music with the historical instruments. Explore the sounds of old Europe with harpsichord, recorders, lutes, and guitars.
2. Vienalle International Film Festival
Since 1960, the international film event is held every year in the month of October, where a wide range of movies is shown across Vienna's various vintage cinemas. Experimental cinemas, short films, and documentaries are among the genres. The festival also hosts different special events like gala screenings, parties, interviews, audience discussions, and talks with directors, etc.
3. Vienna Jazz Festival
Every year since 1991, this music festival is held in summer when artists from all around the world come here and participate in their music. About 50 artists take part in the festival every year with varying music types like jazz, pop, rock, and blues musicians.
4. International Art Fair
This art festival is held every year in autumn in Leopold Museum, containing a huge collection of modern Austrian art and has the largest Egon Schiele Collection. Art lovers from all around the world turn up here to enjoy the cultural festival.
5. Impuls Tanz
This contemporary dance festival is one of the most important dancing festivals in the country that attracts thousands of choreographers, teachers, dancers, etc. from all around the world. The dance lovers from different parts of the world gather here to discover and explore innovation in dance and art performance.
Vienna Reviews & Ratings
B
Bruce
Oct 2024
Written on
Highlights of Eastern Europe
Great time super leader
S
Susan
May 2024
Written on
Highlights of Eastern Europe
Our tour Leader was fantastic she made the trip superb!
B
Belinda
Aug 2023
Written on
Highlights of Eastern Europe
All the planned locations, activities, hotels excellent merited 5 stars in terms of my expectations for an Explore trip. However, the arrangements for internal trans...
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