Nine Plus Best Things to See in Vienna

My recent visit to Vienna originally included a twenty hour schedule of activities that suddenly was reduced to eight hours. This unexpected time challenge forced me to create a best bucket list to be covered in less than eight hours. Having been to Wien in years past, along with a great love for the city and it’s history, I selected familiar places, all in close proximity to each other near the Ringstrasse, that I knew would not disappoint. I walked this list, however, you can get a map and buy a Vienna Pass to take public transportation if required.

The Ringstrasse became the ‘then and now’ center of Vienna following a historic statement from Kaiser Franz Joseph in December 1857 that appeared in the Wiener Zeitung stating his wish that the Vienna suburbs should be connected to the center of imperial power, the 5.3-kilometer-long Ringstrasse was built in over 50 years, and it remains unparalleled. The Ringstrasse is the heart of Vienna, and my “Nine Plus” favored locations are all here.

The Vienna State Opera House is an architectural treasure that is recognized as the musical heart of the city, and showcases the statues of the two riders on horseback, which were placed on the main facade of the loggia in 1876. They were created by Ernst Julius Hähnel, and represent Erato’s two winged horses that are led by “Harmony and the Muse of Poetry”. On the arches above the veranda are Hähnel’s five bronze statues representing, from left to right: heroism, tragedy, fantasy, comedy, and love, and on the right and left sides of the opera house are two fountains by Josef Gasser, representing two different worlds: on the left, music, dance, joy, and levity, and on the right, seduction, sorrow, love, and revenge. When you enter through one of the main front doors of the lobby, which has been preserved in its original form, you get an immediate impression of the interior of the old opera house. Unaffected by the bombing were the whole main front, the main lobby, the central staircase, the Schwind Foyer and attached veranda, and the Tea Salon on the first floor. These have been preserved in their original state.

Just across the street is the historic Hotel Sacher, where royals and diplomats have enjoyed lunch and cocktails since 1876. This exquisite jewel of a hotel is home to the Rote Restaurant Bar featuring the exceptional culinary skills of Chef Werner Pichlmaier. A Viennese lunch of Tafelspitz in this elegant room, or a Sacher Torte in the Cafe Sacher is a must for anyone visiting Wien.

St. Stephen’s Cathredral is the symbol of Vienna. Construction commenced in the 12th century, and today it is one of the most important Gothic structures in Austria. A total of 13 bells hang in the tower, which offers amazing views of Vienna. The best-known bell of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Pummerin, is located in north tower, and it is the second-largest free-swinging chimed church bell in Europe.

The roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral is comprised of colorful roof tiles laid to create the Royal and Imperial double-headed eagle and the coat of arms of the city of Vienna. The Cathredral contains the tombs of royalty and princes of the church. It is my favorite Cathredral in the Austro-Hungarian regions.

Just a few steps from the Cathedral you will find my favorite shopping area, and home of the Perfumerie J.B. Filz at Graben 13, where the perfumes of the Royal’s have been created by the Filz family for centuries, and today “Wiener Lieblings-Duft” (Vienna Darling) perfume can still be purchased.

On a sunny day there is not a more lovely place than the Hofburg Palace, and my visit to the Sisi Museum was magical. Elizabeth Empress of Austria/Queen of Hungary was truly a ‘now’ women living in luxury in a past century. The exhibition is beautifully done, and provides an inside look at the life the Empress and Emperor experienced in the huge Hofburg complex. The exhibition was created by renowned set designer Prof. Rolf Langenfass, and inspired by the monarch’s poetry.

The Belvedere Museum (Lower) houses beautiful paintings of Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 – February 6, 1918). For centuries it has housed the exceptional paintings and watercolors of historic artists. It is a beautiful property with charming gardens that was the location of the goodbye dinner for Marie Antoinette when she left Vienna to travel to Paris to become the Queen of France.

A visit to Wien would not be complete without a dinner at the OPUS in the Hotel Imperial. This historic palace was once a family owned palace that became a respected hotel destination for State officials and visiting dignitaries, including several American Presidents. The five star restaurant features the award winning plates of Executive Chef Rupert Schnait. The menu items showcase Viennese flavors served in modern presentations that are photo perfect and amazing.

The Volksgarten Park not only offers prominent monuments to Empress Elizabeth and her husband Emperor Franz Joseph, but there is a beautiful monument to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, featuring a large colorful Clef of vibrant pink flowers that would make anyone smile. This park is a peaceful respite to rest and enjoy a water between sightseeing destinations.

The Kunsthistorisches Museum was built in 1891 near the Imperial Palace to house the extensive collections of the imperial family. With its vast array of eminent works and the largest Bruegel collection in the world, it is considered one of the most eminent museums in the world.

Raphael’s “Madonna in the Meadow,” Vermeer’s “The Allegory of Painting,” the Infanta paintings by Velazquez, masterworks by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto are housed in the paintings gallery. The Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection contains fascinating treasures from mysterious cultures long past.

So, if you are pressed for time, I hope my quick pick list may help you make the most of valuable time while in Vienna. For additional information visit: www.vienna.info.

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Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since 1983. She is the founder & Editor-in-Chief of Bonnie Carroll’s Life Bites News, and does travel and food reporting on KZSB1290 radio. She also contributes to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle publications. Contact her at writebc@aol.com.