Running in Vienna: the splendours of the Empire
- audreyubertino
- 5d
- 5 min read
The birthplace of classical music, Austria's capital city boasts a historic centre, the Innere Stadt, which is listed as a World Heritage Site. Running in Vienna evokes both the splendours of the Habsburg era and medieval Austria, in a renovated city offering an unrivalled quality of life.
‘It is no coincidence that the music of the soul comes from Austria. It is no coincidence that Mozart was born in Salzburg and Schubert in Vienna; it is the organic expression of these cities, which are not petrified but have remained Austrian landscapes,’ wrote Ernst Lothar in his book ‘Melody of Vienna’.
Crossed by the Danube, Vienna stands proudly in eastern Austria, close to the borders with Slovakia and Hungary. Nicknamed the ‘City of Dreams’ because Sigmund Freud lived there, it is also known as the ‘City of Music’.
From Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to Franz Liszt, Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Schubert, Viennese classicism redefined European musical art and continues to shine brightly centuries later. As you stroll or jog through Vienna, you will discover the sublime State Opera House, built in the 19th century, which honours the famous artists of the Austrian capital.
The Innere Stadt, in the heart of intimate Vienna
In the heart of the city, in the Innere Stadt, you will step straight into the splendour of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The Hofburg Imperial Palace stands proudly here, occupying a large part of the first district with its outbuildings. Inside the Hofburg, if you feel so inclined, you can visit the museum dedicated to Sissi, the empress whose youth was the subject of a series of romantic novels. You can also visit the emperor's apartments and the court silver treasury, where the Holy Roman Empire crown is displayed alongside other regalia.
A few steps away, you will quickly lose yourself in the museum district. It is home to an imposing complex built in the former imperial stables. The nearby Albertina Palace, which was also one of the residences of the Habsburg dynasty, was converted in 1801 to house the art collection of Duke Albert of Saxony-Teschen. Today, it is a museum that houses one of the richest collections in the world, with nearly a million prints and more than 65,000 drawings by masters! A true paradise for art lovers.
The town hall and Austrian parliament, as well as St. Stephen's Cathedral, are other places worth visiting that you will have the opportunity to see during your trip to Vienna. Once you have had your fill of architecture, don't hesitate to head back towards the Hofburg, then make your way to the Volksgarten!
This ‘People's Garden’, located around the Hofburg Palace, was built on the site of the city's old fortifications, which were destroyed by Napoleon in 1809. It is a popular spot for joggers and walkers alike, and you will appreciate the tranquillity of this beautifully designed park in the heart of the capital!
From Wieden to Fasanviertel
Surrounding the centre of Vienna is the Ringstrasse, a circular boulevard built on the site of the old city walls, which encircles the Innere Stadt. It is dotted with important monuments from the Austrian imperial era and is one of the most beautiful boulevards in the capital. On the other side of the Ring are many equally attractive neighbourhoods. Among them is Wieden, Vienna's fourth district, located in the Gürtel, which was built on the site of the old city wall. Originally one of Vienna's oldest suburbs – its name first appeared in writing in 1137 – its main street, Wiedner Hauptstraße, is believed to be even older. It runs south from Karlsplatz and the very pleasant Resselpark.
Not far from here, you will find one of Austria's most important religious buildings, St. Charles Borromeo Church, built at the end of the 17th century on the orders of Emperor Charles VI, from whom Karlsplatz (Charles Square) takes its name. This church was located on the axis between the Hofburg and the Neue Favorita, a palace further away in Wieden that also belonged to the royal family. If you pass by during your run, you should know that since its sale by Maria Theresa of Austria, it has become a school, now the Theresianum High School, which also houses the Austrian Academy of Diplomacy.
On your way to Fasanviertel, you will undoubtedly come across the immense Belvederegarten, home to the palace of the same name, one of the largest Baroque palaces in the city.
Built in the early 18th century, it now houses a museum whose crown jewel is the Gustav Klimt collection. Be sure to stroll through its beautiful ‘Swiss garden’, which surrounds the Belvedere 21 modern art museum, or the University of Vienna's botanical garden, which is adjacent to it.
Schönbrunn or Donauturm ?
From one end of the Vienna metropolitan area to the other, the walk is more than 10 km as the crow flies. So you may not want to try to see all the attractions the city has to offer!
However, outside the city centre, there are several major attractions worth visiting. Among them, of course, is Schönbrunn Palace. An essential part of Austrian culture, it is one of Vienna's most visited tourist attractions and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996. It stands in Hietzing, west of the Innere Stadt, and was home to various major buildings before the current palace was built at the turn of the 18th century, which subsequently underwent numerous modifications. Napoleon II, Bonaparte's son, known as the ‘King of Rome’, lived and died there after his father's fall.
Surrounding Schönbrunn are vast French gardens, adorned with a magnificent gloriette and faux Roman ruins, as well as an orangery.
Directly opposite the castle from the city centre, the Danube and its unspoilt banks also welcome you with open arms. The Danube Tower, which stands near the Donaupark on an island nestled in the river, is one of its highlights. At a height of 150 metres, its platform allows you to admire the view of the city while enjoying a coffee or even a meal! You can even bungee jump from it... or take part in a sporting event called the Donauturm-Lauf, held every year in November. It involves running up the tower's 775 steps. The current record is 3 minutes and 23.58 seconds!
On the long Donauinsel, the artificial island stretching over 21 kilometres between the Danube and the Neue Donau canal, you can also stroll around and enjoy the immense leisure space it offers its visitors. From Copa Cagrana, named after the neighbouring district of Kagran, to the south of the island where there are numerous nudist beaches, the Danube Island is primarily a place to relax. In June, it also hosts a major music festival, the Donauinselfest, which welcomes several million visitors every year!
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