| Before
the Second World War, Vienna ( Wien )stood side by side with
Paris and London in importance, beauty, and power, thanks to
its status as a major transit point between Western and Eastern
Europe. The rich and elite of Europe vacationed here while
the poor viewed it as an opportunity to escape their miseries.
Here, artists and composers sought inspiration and revolutionaries
ironed out their plans and theories. Vienna, however,
has not always been considered such a romantic destination.
The city found itself just a few miles from the Iron Curtain
during the Cold War. Hence, trade ceased with the East,
and foreigners found little reason to visit a war-torn city.
However, with the sudden popularity and growth of the Eastern
Jewels (Budapest, Prague, and Kraków), Vienna rediscovered
its role as a gateway. In-transit tourists, as well, have
rediscovered Vienna's old-world charm, often making an unexpected
extended stay. There is no better time than now to visit
this magnificent city. People traveling to Vienna looking
for fin-de-sičcle architecture and a relaxed atmosphere will
not be disappointed. Imagine a city shaped by artists and
composers 150 years ago. Huge palaces seem to appear on every
major street corner, and the sky is pierced with towering church
steeples. The buildings along the Ringstrasse seem
to offer a bit of every European building style, from
the medieval Rathaus, Gothic Stephensdom, to the Greco-Roman
parliament building. |
Vienna
Austria
Royal City Centre Castle
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