The first thing that comes to mind for anyone who has even a small idea of ​​the Austrian capital is classical music and the genius composers that created it, a pretentious architecture, centuries-old tradition and small coffee shops, where strudels and world-famous cakes are served .This general impression is in part true, but there is one "but": the enchanting Vienna is much more beautiful, interesting and deeper than any thoughts about it .The huge cultural wealth miraculously survived, despite the Second World War, eventful history, a special atmosphere and a number of interesting trends in science, originated in the bowels of this particular city, add a lot of colors to the already beautiful picture .

Fans of museums, which in Vienna are about eighty, should come here for at least two weeks .A variety of expositions, ranging from unique collections of paintings to medical instruments, will enthrall any .Magnificent royal residences will appeal to fans of everything connected with the palace and park architecture .Even a trip to the local snack bar can turn into a small excursion to memorable places, as there are also institutions like the favorite place for gatherings of talents of different suits in Rome, the famous café "Antico Cafe Greco" .

Ten mandatory Vienna attractions

If you are passing through Vienna and there is almost no time for a long and thoughtful acquaintance with the city, then the list of the ten main "must-see" of the Austrian capital will help you navigate the imperial splendor of the city .First of all, it must be remembered that the so-called Old Part, the concentration of many architectural masterpieces, protected by UNESCO, coincides territorially with the modern borders of the first district of Vienna .Total areas twenty-three .Ringstraße or Koltsevaya street, created in the 19th century, encircles the ancient, central part and is also the object of tourist attention .

Palaces

The first on the list is the Schönbrunn Palace, the former royal residence of one of the most powerful dynasties in Europe, the great Habsburgs who ruled Austria for about six hundred years and some other European territories .Like many grandiose buildings, the palace is closely connected with a beautiful park .Schönbrunn will remind of similar, but still different royal residences: the French Versailles, which was taken as a model during construction, the Russian Peterhof and t .e .Versailles is also partly connected with the history of the creation of .Initially, this place was a hunting lodge, later turned into a palace and park complex .From a similar small estate intended for hunting, Louis XIV created his beloved child .Another palace, which is worth a visit, is the winter residence of the Habsburg Hofburg, which includes several objects .In the premises of this architectural ensemble are several museums .Among them are the Imperial Apartments, the Sissi Museum, the Silver Museum and the Art History Museum .

If the Hofburg is a different mix, then another palace complex in Vienna Belvedere is a bright representative of the baroque direction .Initially Belvedere served as the summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, but subsequently took over the Habsburgs .The local garden, with its symmetry, fountains and sculptural compositions, will again remind France of .The most interesting thing is that the premises of the palace serve as a refuge for the greatest works of art .The local gallery is a well-known museum, the exposition of which includes works of art of both past centuries and contemporary painting .

Cathedrals

One of the symbols of the city and the main tourist attraction - St. Stephen's Cathedral, located on the same area .This remarkable monument of religious architecture is named after the saint who is the patron saint of Vienna .The cathedral was built in the 12th century and carefully preserves important historical evidence: the cannonball that fell into the building during the siege by the Turks, standards of medieval measures, ancient catacombs .Before the construction of St. Stephen's Cathedral, the church administration was in the church of St. Rupert, the oldest in Vienna .The building dates back to the 7th-8th centuries .Generally speaking, Rupert was the patron saint of Salzburg, however, it was believed that he also cherishes the Viennese salt traders .

Museums

If, after visiting the museums that make up the palace complexes, there is still time, the Liechtenstein Museum, located in the palace of the princes, with a beautiful collection of European paintings, will complement the impressions. The Museum of Natural History is located exactly opposite the Museum of Art History and is part of the Hofburg complex. It is the world's largest collection of natural artifacts, carefully collected by the Habsburgs. For those who are interested in psychoanalysis, the museum of Sigmund Freud will suit. In total, there are over 80 museums in the city.

Other attractions

The Prater Park, with the world's oldest Ferris wheel built in the 19th century, is another Viennese landmark worth seeing. Of no less interest is the Vienna Zoo, created when no one thought of the possibility of collecting all the animals under one roof. Even here the inhabitants of the Austrian capital were the first in the world.