I don’t know about you, but Vienna is one of my favorite cities on earth, because it appears to be like a chapter from a fairy-tale. I wouldn’t never get tired to go and visit it again. No wonder, it has been ranked as one of the best travel destinations in the world with so many things and locations to share with its visitors. From amazing buildings or coffee culture to art, imperial history, love for life and interesting and fun facts about Vienna to discover about the city.
Vienna hosts important festivals and events, such as the impressive Life Ball of charity organized every year for persons with AIDS or the Danube Island festival that takes place in the summer season, gathering approximately three million music fans. There are many reasons to visit this fascinating city, but you already know it. What you may haven’t heard are ten interesting and fun facts about Vienna, so see below the list.
10 Interesting and Fun Facts about Vienna
1. Vienna is considered both a “city of music”and a “city of dreams”
I personally would call it also the city of love, because it is a very romantic place to be with your partner and share the unconditional love. But,these two main reasons are practically defining Vienna and attracting million tourists every year from all over the world. Sigmund Freud, one of the most famous figures in the psychology, is the person who influenced the “city of dreams” title, as he was born here and did a lot of his research in this beautiful city. Vienna remains an important location for music, because great composers such as Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven or Brahms have left their mark’s on the city. Moreover, a big and well-known music university stands here and called the University of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna.
2. It has the world’s oldest Zoo
In case you haven”t heard, Tiergarten Schonbrunn or Vienna Zoo is located near the breathtaking Schonbrunn Palace and dated from 1752, being the oldest zoo in the world. With a diversity of animals, including beautiful panda bears, bird species and others, this place is an important key attraction in Austria’s capital, as it has high standards and conditions for all animals. Moreover, the zoo has been called by a British-zoology expert the best one available in Europe.
3. Vienna is known as the birthplace for psychotherapy
You don’t need a psychology degree to know about Sigmund Freud or Viktor Frankl. I have recently read the book of Frankl, Man’s searching for meaning and it’s quite an remarkable book with great insights. Both psychotherapy and psychoanalysis are known as modern sciences that developed in Vienna with interesting museums built in the honor of these two men with deep implications.
4. Over 300 Balls take place every year in Vienna
We have mentioned about the important Charity Life Ball, one of the largest charity events in the world where famous celebrities like Sharon Stone, Heide Klum or Sir Elton John attend it, but there are more to discover. If you want to impress your partner with your waltz moves, you have come to the right place, with over 150 public balls organized in the city. Most of these events usually happen in the first 3 months of the year, between January and March. Every new year’s first day begins with an outstanding concert performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra that lasts for about two hours. Other events are: the Blumenball famous for its flower arrangements or Zuckerbackerball organized by ingenious confectioners of the city.
5. Vienna is the only world capital to produce its own wine
Wine is another defining element for Vienna, because it produces significant quantities of wine in its own place, bringing a great contribution to both citizen’s well-being and the city’s economical system. Don’t forget also that Vienna is also among the first European capitals ranked to have a high quality lifestyle. So, basically, the city is also the wine capital with important wine-growing regions and important wine names such as Sauvingnon Blanc or Riesling.
6. Vienna is home to the oldest wheel situated in the Prater park
One of the top and representatives attractions in Vienna, Prater is an impressive amusement park that you shouldn’t miss during your journey here. In comparison with other theme parks, it is free of charge and offers endless entertainment options for both parents and children. The interesting fact about it hosts the world’s oldest carousel plus other 15 gondolas where tourists can admire a beautiful view of Vienna.
7. The Central Cemetery of Vienna is the second largest one in Europe
I don’t know exactly how to call it: an interesting or funny fact about the city? As odd as it may sounds, the Zentralfrieldhof also known as the Central Cemetery is Europe’s second largest cemetery with a dead population almost twice larger than the living one. Here rests important names such as Strauss, Beethoven or Brahms.
8. Vienna is sometimes synonym with Rococo and Baroque styles
Are you an architecture lover? Then you probably know lots of things about these two Rococo and Baroque styles, as well as important pieces of art. In the world of painting, Rococo style is identified with delicate colors and is part of the classical period. On the other side, the beautiful and decorative Baroque style dominates the city with its essential buildings, paintings or sculpture, so you’ll be impressed by its elaborated baroque monuments such as Belvedere Palace or Karlskirche Cathedral.
9. The original snow globe was invented in Vienna
Snow globes are a perfect souvenir gift for your families, especially if they come from the original place. The beautiful snow globe representing the world in miniature was invented by accident at the end of the 19th century by Erwin Perzy, who got the first patent for it. Although, initially, he was trying to develop a light source to be used as a surgical lamp (he was a producer of surgical instruments), but he ended developing a nice snow globe with the Basilica of Mariazell as a model.
10. Vienna holds one of the world’s biggest emeralds
The Imperial Treasury located in the Holfburg Palace in Viena is home to an impressive and valuable collection of rare treasures, including a single emerald crystal that weights no more than 2,205 carats.
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