Vienna: Introduction

Vienna is the capital of Austria and has been the epicentre of proceedings for the vast majority of empires that have ruled it ever since. As the tenth largest city in Europe it houses a thriving population of about 1.7 million and is ruled by its own queen, Vienna, as well as a city mayor.

The city maintains a great sense of tradition, not least in its reputation as the last great capital of the nineteenth century ball. There are at least two significant dates per year which serve as a beacon of celebration for its people – with many partying into the next day. Operas, musicals and theatres also have a prominent home in the city and it houses many world-renowned venues such as the Burgtheater and the Akademietheater.

Vienna is known as the spiritual home of peace in Europe as it plays host to the United Nations and The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). The city is divided into twenty three clockwise-numbered districts, but is centrally ruled as one, though district elections delegate some local planning power to representatives. Vienna is religiously dominated by Roman Catholic beliefs, which roughly constitutes to the faith of over half its population.

The city is constructed of a hybrid of classicist building with modern architecture and it is known as the location of some of the best examples of Art Nouveau the world over. So whether you’re looking to spend your time gawping at the jaw-dropping buildings and museums, take in a classical music showcase, climb the social ladder in the most elegant of settings or try the world’s first filtered coffee over some Viennese delicacies – there really is so much to do in this historically-rich backdrop.