Viennese culture and traditions

Dark times left scars on the city landscape and soul, but also landmarks offering solace. My location guide takes you through the remnants of World War II Vienna and the … [Read more...] about WWII locations & memorials

As a visitor, you might be forgiven for thinking the Vienna city planners put a huge boulevard around the historical old town (the so-called Ring or Ringstrasse) as a … [Read more...] about History of the Ringstrasse

If there was one day Austria would like never to have happened, it might be March 15th, 1938. A distinct low point for the country, however you look at it. The day Hitler … [Read more...] about “Hitler’s balcony”

The historical figures that left the biggest imprint on perceptions of Vienna were mostly Habsburg monarchs or knew their way around a piano or paintbrush. A notable exception … [Read more...] about Prince Eugene: what you need to know

July 7th, 1498 was a Thursday, apparently. This was also the day that Emperor Maximilian I decided his chapel choir needed an upgrade, thus bringing to life an institution … [Read more...] about The Wiener Hofmusikkapelle

Many art exhibitions in Vienna focus on "prints". But what do all the technical terms in display texts and audioguides actually mean? I'm no art historian or expert (so … [Read more...] about Prints and printmaking