What to see in Vienna?

Being in Austria and not visiting Vienna is absolutely impossible! And not only because Vienna is its capital, but also because the threads of Austrian history and culture are firmly intertwined in this city. Of course, it will take forever to explore the numerous sights of Vienna. However, for the first acquaintance with the city, you can stop at the most-most famous, choose the most significant excursions in Vienna .

For example, why not start with St. Stephen’s Cathedral. In the distant XIII century, during the time of flaming Gothic, the first stone was laid in its foundation. The construction dragged on with interruptions for several centuries - the threat of an attack by the Turks forced the Viennese funds intended for the construction of the cathedral to be transferred for the defense of the city. Only at the end of the 16th century the construction of the shrine was completed, therefore, in its architectural appearance are traced elements of both Gothic art and the influence of a later style inherent in the Renaissance.

The Opera House of the Austrian capital does not need advertising, any educated person knows: the best "voices" of the world sang and sing on the stage of the Vienna Opera. Despite the fact that on the eve of the opening of the theater, the press literally defeated the unsuccessful, according to journalists, project, its building has been considered one of the most beautiful in the capital for more than a century and a half.

Ten months a year, world-famous stars perform on the stage of the Vienna Opera. Only for a couple of days in February the series of concerts is interrupted, which has become a traditional ball. But even if you can’t buy a ticket for one of the performances, you can see the magnificent interiors of the theater by visiting the tour on those days when there are no daily rehearsals.

Belvedere Palace is the brainchild of architect Lucas von Hildebrandt. At the beginning of the XVIII century, by decree of Prince Eugene of Savoy, a French park with fountains was laid out in these places. A few years later, von Hildebrandt set to work, first building the Lower Belvedere, and seven years later the Upper. The Prince of Savoy used the Upper Palace as his own residence, and Nizhny assigned a representative role. All this splendor, including a park decorated with amazingly beautiful fountains, is considered one of the most significant sights of the Austrian capital.

However, it would be wrong to consider Vienna exclusively as a city of palace ensembles. It is enough to turn from wide avenues into narrow streets, devoid of any plan, and before your eyes a medieval city will appear. It may even seem to you that the time here seemed to have stopped many centuries ago, that a detachment of the city guard would appear around the corner, rattling with swords and illuminating the road with torches. And in order to navigate in the confusing maze of old streets, you need to be the root of the crown, or at least live in this city for more than one year.

Vienna is rich in museums of all kinds. For example, in the Hofburg Palace there are two at once: an entertaining museum of ancient musical instruments, as well as a unique treasury of the Habsburgs. If we take into account that the imperial family mentioned was one of the largest in Europe, then the size of the collection of her jewelry is difficult to imagine. Probably the most valuable relic among the Habsburg treasures is the imperial crown, made in 962 and decorated with sapphires, rubies, emeralds, diamonds.

Well, if you like small museums, you should definitely look into the museum-apartment of one of the geniuses who lived in Vienna, say, Franz Schubert or Sigmund Freud. In the end, your first acquaintance with the Austrian capital will certainly awaken your desire to return here more than once in order to fully get acquainted with its sights.