The most beautiful boulevard in the world is home not only to many of Vienna's best-known sights, such as the Imperial Palace, the Kunsthistorisches Museum and the Natural History Museum, the Vienna State Opera and Parliament. Magnificent palaces, extensive parks and important monuments also line the "display window" of the former Danube monarchy.
Ringstrasse is lined by Austria’s most important buildings: an overview
Ringstrasse is lined by Austria’s most important buildings: an overview
Vienna State Opera
Constructed in the neo-Renaissance style by August Sicard von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der Nüll between 1861 and 1869, the Vienna State Opera opened on 25 May 1869 with Mozart’s "Don Giovanni". After the destruction of the Second World War, the house reopened in 1955 with Beethoven’s "Fidelio".
Imperial Palace/Neue Burg
Nowadays the Neue Burg also houses parts of the National Library and the Weltmuseum Wien. The building standing here today was completed in 1913. Heldenplatz lies directly in front of it.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
The Kunsthistorisches Museum is one of the most famous museums in the world. Built by Gottfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer, the museum was opened in 1891. It holds the art treasures of the Habsburgs, including the world’s largest Brueghel collection and one of the most valuable chambers of art, the Chamber of Art and Wonders.
Museum of Natural History
Opened in 1889, the building is virtually identical to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, and contains one of the largest natural science collections in the world. The Stone Age "Venus of Willendorf" is one of the museum’s prize pieces.
Parliament
With its famous Pallas Athene fountain, Parliament was erected in the Greek style by Theophil von Hansen from 1874 to 1883. It is considered to be one of the most attractive and important Ringstrasse buildings. Guided tours are available.
City Hall
The seat of Vienna’s mayor was erected in the Neo-Gothic style by Friedrich Schmidt from 1872 to 1883. The events held on the square in front of the City Hall throughout the year attract thousands of visitors. Regular guided tours.
National Theater
Gottfried Semper and Karl von Hasenauer erected this leading theater from 1874 to 1888. Gustav Klimt created the ceiling paintings above the staircase together with Franz Matsch and Ernst Klimt. On the stage of the National Theater: the best actors of the German-speaking world.
University
This imposing building was constructed in the Italian High Renaissance style by Heinrich von Ferstel between 1877 and 1884. Regular guided tours.
Votive Church
Out of gratitude for an unsuccessful attempt on the life of Emperor Franz Joseph, construction of what is today Vienna second-highest church was begun in 1856. The neo-Gothic church was consecrated in 1879 on the occasion of the imperial couple’s silver wedding.
Stock Exchange
Theophil Hansen was commissioned to draw up the plans, and the building was opened in 1877. Today the Stock Exchange houses event venues. In the basement: one of Vienna’s finest flower shops and a restaurant.
Rossauer Barracks
The barracks were erected by Karl Pihal and Karl Markl. Completed in 1869, today the barracks house the Austrian Ministry of Defence.
Ring Tower
The Ring Tower on Schottenring stands out not only due to its size (93 m), but also due to its modern appearance. The skyscraper was completed in 1955, and is today the headquarters of an insurance company.
Urania
The building on the Danube Canal was planned by Max Fabiani and completed in 1910 as an adult education center. The leading intellectuals of the time (including Albert Einstein and Thomas Mann) held lectures and courses here. Austria’s first public observatory was installed in the building, and can still be visited today.
Post Office Savings Bank
Erected by Otto Wagner, the Post Office Savings Bank is one of the most important buildings of Vienna Modernism. The banking hall is an Art Nouveau jewel, and the museum there shows Wagner as a brilliant architect.
Austrian Museum of Applied Arts/Contemporary Art
The museum on Stubenring was opened in 1871 after three years of construction. Heinrich von Ferstel designed this first museum building on Ringstrasse in the Renaissance style.
There are also many important buildings in the "second row" of Ringstrasse: Secession, Palace of Justice, Musikverein, Künstlerhaus and many town palaces.
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