The King of the Waltz (Johann Strauss II) performed at the Kursalon back in the 1800s, and his spirit long continued to appear at the venue thanks to the visitor-friendly classical concerts.
- Renaissance-style building
- Next to the famous golden Strauss statue
- Lehár also conducted here
- Now undergoing a period of renovation
- Book a concert experience* in Vienna
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Back to the past
(The nighttime ambience)
When they pulled down the huge city fortifications in the mid-19th century, Vienna suddenly gained a lot of prime real estate immediately around the old town. This was a good time to own a spade or chisel.
One of the many buildings constructed on the vacant land was the Kursalon, which opened in 1867.
The location initially allowed visitors to partake of spa waters, visit a coffee house or dine out in a restaurant. However, it rapidly morphed into a broader venue for music and similar entertainments.
The King of the Waltz (Johann Strauss II) himself put in an appearance at the first concert on October 15th, 1868. Apparently, the enthusiasm of the audience was such that he had to conduct his new polka three times.
At the time of construction, many architects took a historicism approach to their work, mirroring some style of the past. In the case of the Kursalon, Johann Garben went for the Italian Renaissance look.
Shortly after the opening, one periodical described the addition to the cityscape as (my translation):
…one of the most beautiful buildings of the new, enlarged Vienna
The past few years saw evening classical concerts bring the Kursalon’s musical heritage back to life. Performances featured the works of Strauss and Mozart, taking you through some of the best waltzes, arias and similar of Vienna’s rich musical tradition.
Those concerts in the Kursalon have ended at least temporarily while the building undergoes extensive renovation as well as preparation for a planned chocolate museum on the premises.
(View inside the great hall of the Kursalon sometime before 1905; produced by the Sperlings Postkartenverlag (M. M. S.); Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 58891/390; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)
If you pass by, be sure to complete the 2-in-1 Strauss experience: the rear of the Kursalon looks out over the Stadtpark city park and the golden Johann Strauss is just a few steps away. The statue counts as one of Vienna’s “iconic” photo opportunities.
(You might have to queue: everyone wants to be photographed with Johann.)
After sauntering past the Kursalon and grabbing a selfie with the maestro, try growing plate-sized sideburns to complete the 19th-century Vienna experience.
Another famous composer, Franz Lehár, actually conducted military concerts in the Kursalon in 1900 and 1901 before pursuing the wider musical career for which he is better known.
Lehár has a more discreet memorial not far from Strauss (sadly, not everybody wants to be photographed with Franz). Go deeper into the Stadtpark for other musical monuments, such as ones for Bruckner and Schubert.
How to get to the Kursalon
The building is in the centre and easily reached by public transport.
Subway: The Stadtpark station on the U4 line is literally next door.
Otto Wagner, a father of modern architecture, designed the entrance building to that U4 station. Look out, too, for the Jugendstil portal entrance to the park just outside. The portal featured in the second series of the Vienna Blood period detective drama. As did the Kursalon.
Tram: Take line 2 to Weihburggasse. The Kursalon sits diagonally opposite the stop through the park.
Address: Johannesgasse 33, 1010 Vienna