For several centuries the Habsburgs’
main residence was in the heart of Vienna, so it's hardly surprising that even
today much of the city dates from that era. Discover the places that were most
important to the Habsburgs, during an Imperial walk through Vienna city centre.
Start your stroll through the OldTown,
or Altstadt, at St Stephen’s Cathedral, the symbol of Vienna. The cathedral,
which the Viennese fondly call Steffl, is home to numerous art treasures which
you can discover during a guided tour. We especially recommend climbing the 343
steps to the tower room for the splendid view over the rooftops of Vienna.
After a quick pause to catch your
breath, cross Kärntner Straße to Neuer Markt, the former site of the Habsburgs’
tombs. Did you know that interments are still carried out in the Kapuzinergruft
and former Crown Prince Otto Habsburg was laid to rest here as recently as
2011?
Having stopped briefly, cross
Albertinaplatz and the Burggartento the Vienna Hofburg. The Imperial family
still occupied this splendid residence until this century and for more than 700
years it served as the Habsburgs’ centre of power.
The entrance to the SpanishRidingSchool
is just a few minutes’ walk from here. Vienna’s SpanishRidingSchool is the only
institution is the world where the classic equestrian art of haute école has been practised unchanged
for more than 440 years. Experience equestrian perfection!
But that’s enough sightseeing. Let’s
head to Kohlmarkt. If you can afford it, you can shop on Vienna’s most
up-market shopping street, where there are outlets for international luxury
brands such as Versace and Gucci, as well as the stores of Viennese jewellers
Wagner and Bucherer.
If you don’t have enough pocket money to
go shopping in Kohlmarkt, try visiting Vienna’s most famous coffee house,
“Demel”. You can sit back and watch the hustle and bustle of Viennese city life
over a piece of delicious cake, in the former Imperial court confectioner’s
shop.
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