Vienna

“The streets of Vienna are paved with culture, the streets of other cities with asphalt.”

Karl Kraus, Writer and Journalist

Europe’s Ancient Metropolis

Maybe it was the city’s perfect placement on Europe’s second largest river, the Danube. Perhaps it was its proximity to the fertile soils of Mesopotamia or its geographical location at the epicenter of the European continent.

Whatever the reason, once upon a time, Vienna was at the center of the universe. And even today, its architecture tells the story of one of the most important cities in the world.

A bustling hub of trade and finance, Vienna was home to markets selling everything from linen to jewelry. Its banks were the finest financial institutions in the world. Its orchestras and theaters rang with the imaginative music of the classical greats like Beethoven and Mozart.

And, to our delight, many of the buildings that housed this vibrant life are still standing.

Vienna is lucky. It avoided major damage from history’s wars, so a lot of what exists today is from original structures dating before 1800. Palaces, cathedrals, coffee houses, libraries - these buildings paint a unique picture of a prosperous era of our past. We’re fascinated by what their architecture shows us.

One of the best examples is Hofburg Palace, which dates back to the 13th century. What used to be the treasury of the Holy Roman Empire now houses the Austrian presidential offices. Its architecture is richly Baroque, taking elements of Italian Renaissance style and making them grander. Higher domes, more decorated ceilings, finer gilded handrails, grander staircases, and more dramatic art pieces. Everything was focused on abundance, making it seem like the citizens of the city were bestowed with a gift from the heavens.

Grand architecture was not just reserved for the palaces. Common buildings like coffee houses also enjoyed incredible architectural beauty. Coffee first came from the nearby Turkey and quickly grew in popularity. Coffee houses were places of social gathering, where everyday citizens would discuss the news, write letters, and play cards, all over cups of fresh roasted coffee. The palatial exterior of these houses looks like small chateaus, inspired by French Renaissance styles for their ornate chandeliers and elaborate ceilings, with walls covered by commissioned art.

The arts flourished in Vienna. Cathedrals, operas, and theaters were home to the most renowned composers and musicians, from Mozart and Beethoven to Schubert and Strauss. Opera houses brought with them

a more neo-Renaissance style, a marriage of Greek, Italian, and French forms. High ceilings and columns come from Greece, the flowing arches from Italy, and the grandiose staircases from France. Stone and marble are used liberally, touched with gold whenever possible.

In Vienna’s architecture lies the story of so much of human history. From aristocrats to everyday citizens, we can see how life unfolded through the style of the structures that remain. We’re grateful to be able to travel the world and experience this beauty.