Vienna: The European Cultural Capital

Hotels in Vienna

European culture finds its interest in its diversity. One finds himself/ herself trapped in different worlds in different cities. The life of Madrid is in contrast to the placidity of Geneva. The lights of Paris are different from the natural wonders of Zurich. Every city is unique. Every one of them holds their own worthy treasures. Yet, one city is actually privileged enough to be called the Cultural Capital of the European Continent. This city is Vienna in Austria.

Everything about Vienna either attracts hearts in love or minds in search of historical wisdom. The Danube River, right at the side of the city, inspires the sweetest things from visiting couples. The numerous Opera Houses provide for entertaining lover’s retreats. These Opera Houses include the Weiner Musikverein, the stage of the world renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Volksoper that stages Viennese operettas and the Weiner Konzerthaus where the classical pieces of the masters like Mozart are played. For the patron of the performing arts, Vienna is a haven since it provides for the best theaters and theater companies in the entire German speaking world. Among these theaters are the Burgtheater and the Akademietheater. Lesser known stages include the der Josefstadt and the Volkstheater Wien. In as much as cities like Berlin, Paris, Geneva and Zurich have their countless museums, Vienna shares in this tradition. The counterpart of Berlin’s Museum Island is the Museum Quarter or Museumquartier of Vienna. The Quarter is home to the Ludwig Foundation’s Museum of Modern Art, the Viennese Modernist, Expressionist and Secessionist Art collection of the Leopold Museum and the Tranzquartier. There are also very specific collections in several museums in the Vienna Clock Museum, the Burial Museum, the Technical Museum and the Military History Museum. One of the widest private collection of art can be found in the Liechtenstein Palace. In front of the Hofburg where the Imperial treasury or the Scetzkammer is, are the Naturhistorisches and the Kunsthistorisches Museums. Parks are also abundant in Vienna. The location of the oldest zoo in the world is the Schönbrunn’s grounds. The Vienna Botanic Gardens can be found in Schloßpark that, in turn, can be reached through the Schloss Belvedere. The famous Riesenrad ferris wheel is in the Prater, the principal park of the city. It can truly be said that Vienna is the cultural center of Europe with all of its offerings not only for historic artistic or artisan artifacts but, more importantly, for the performing arts.


Hotels in Vienna