The Beyond News

Vienna is the national capital, largest city, and one of nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's most populous city, with about 2 million inhabitants (2.6 million within the metropolitan area, nearly one third of the country's population), and its cultural, economic, and political centre. It is the 6th-largest city by population within city limits in the European Union.Until the beginning of the 20th century, Vienna was the largest German-speaking city in the world, and before the splitting of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in World War I, the city had 2 million inhabitants. Today, it is the second-largest German-speaking city after Berlin. Vienna is host to many major international organizations, including the United Nations, OPEC and the OSCE. The city is located in the eastern part of Austria and is close to the borders of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. These regions work together in a European Centrope border region. Along with nearby Bratislava, Vienna forms a metropolitan region with 3 million inhabitants. In 2001, the city center was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In July 2017 it was moved to the list of World Heritage in Danger. Additionally, Vienna is known as the "City of Music" due to its musical legacy, as many famous classical musicians such as Beethoven and Mozart called Vienna home. Vienna is also said to be the "City of Dreams", because of it being home to the world's first psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Vienna's ancestral roots lie in early Celtic and Roman settlements that transformed into a Medieval and Baroque city. It is well known for having played a pivotal role as a leading European music center, from the age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The historic center of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque palaces and gardens, and the late-19th-century Ringstraße lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks.Vienna is known for its high quality of life. In a 2005 study of 127 world cities, the Economist Intelligence Unit ranked the city first (in a tie with Vancouver and San Francisco) for the world's most livable cities. Between 2011 and 2015, Vienna was ranked second, behind Melbourne.Monocle's 2015 "Quality of Life Survey" ranked Vienna second on a list of the top 25 cities in the world "to make a base within."Monocle's 2012 "Quality of Life Survey" ranked Vienna fourth on a list of the top 25 cities in the world "to make a base within" (up from sixth in 2011 and eighth in 2010). The UN-Habitat classified Vienna as the most prosperous city in the world in 2012/2013. The city was ranked 1st globally for its culture of innovation in 2007 and 2008, and sixth globally (out of 256 cities) in the 2014 Innovation Cities Index, which analyzed 162 indicators in covering three areas: culture, infrastructure, and markets. Vienna regularly hosts urban planning conferences and is often used as a case study by urban planners. Between 2005 and 2010, Vienna was the world's number-one destination for international congresses and conventions. It attracts over 6.8 million tourists a year.

Foods in  Vienna  :

(1) Wiener schnitzel : 

This is the number one dish that you have got to try. I know you’re thinking “oh, I’ve had schnitzel before…” but put that thought out of your head straightaway. If you haven’t had it in Vienna, you haven’t really had it! Veal is the most common meat used here and it’ll be served with some type of potato. You can also get pork or chicken. You can squeeze lemon all over it and dip it in ketchup. Nothing fancy, but classic and a must-try.The potato is sometimes just boiled pieces, but the best is when they make real Viennese potato salad. It’s different than most in that there is not a mayo base, it’s more of a vinegar mixture and definitely something you’ll want to try. You can still ask if this salad is on the side as it’s on most menus in Vienna.

(2)  Sachertorte : 

John Lennon is famous for eating this delicious chocolate Viennese dessert during a 1969 press conference at Hotel Sacher where it originated. So, what is it? Sachertorte is a type of chocolate cake with apricot filling. It’s covered with thick dense chocolate icing. You can find this cake anywhere in the city and will simply love it! It is so famous that December 5th is celebrated as the National Sachertorte Day.

(3) Strudel :

 But of course, apple strudel (apfelstrudel) has to be on this list! It has been the most famous dessert in Vienna for centuries. But what is strudel? Basically, it’s a layered pastry, usually with an apple filling, served with ice cream. It’s a bit gooey which is perfect and the pastry is quite thin. You can’t go wrong following up a meal with this, and you’d probably not find a place that doesn’t have it on the menu.

(4) Tafelspitz : 

This is a tasty beef dish. The meat is boiled in a broth and served with veggies as well as horseradish and minced apple. It’s unique in flavour and definitely a classic. So if you’re looking for something interesting and really local, order tafelspitz.

(5) Kaiserschmarrn : 

I’m warning you, your mouth is going to water with this one—picture big chunks of fluffy pancake that are caramelized and covered with fruit jam and powdered sugar. This is a classic dessert. I guess by now you can see that Viennese love their sugary food! This one might also have rum-soaked raisins, apples or plums on top.

(6)  Almdudler : 

This is a very famous drink in Austria. It’s kind of like an elderflower fizzy drink. It’s light and delicious and you will find it nearly everywhere. This is a favourite with both children and adults, and perfect to beat the heat.

(7) Gulasch : 

Many places claim it as their own, but whether it originated in Vienna or not, the fact remains that it’s a classic and a not-to-miss dish. It’s like a stew—potato, beef, gravy and of course, lots of paprika. Just perfect for a gloomy day!

Weather & geography in  Vienna  :

Vienna has an oceanic climate. The city has warm summers, with periodical precipitations that can reach its yearly peak in July and August (66.6 and 66.5 mm respectively) and average high temperatures from June to September of approximately 21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F), with a record maximum exceeding 38 °C (100 °F) and a record low in September of 5.6 °C (42 °F). Winters are relatively dry and cold with average temperatures at about freezing point. Spring is variable and autumn cool, with possible snowfalls already in November. Precipitation is generally moderate throughout the year, averaging around 550 mm (21.7 in) annually, with considerable local variations, the Vienna Woods region in the west being the wettest part (700 to 800 mm (28 to 31 in) annually) and the flat plains in the east being the driest part (500 to 550 mm (20 to 22 in) annually). Snow in winter is common, even if not so frequent compared to the Western and Southern regions of Austria.Vienna is located in northeastern Austria, at the easternmost extension of the Alps in the Vienna Basin. The earliest settlement, at the location of today's inner city, was south of the meandering Danube while the city now spans both sides of the river. Elevation ranges from 151 to 542 m (495 to 1,778 ft). The city has a total area of 414.65 square kilometers (160.1 sq mi), making it the largest city in Austria by area.

Per day Cost in  Vienna  :

You should plan to spend around €113 ($135) per day on your vacation in Vienna, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, €27 ($32) on meals for one day and €15 ($18) on local transportation.

History of  Vienna  :

In 1529, Vienna was besieged by the Ottoman Turks for the first time (the First Turkish Siege), although unsuccessfully. The city, protected by medieval walls, only barely withstood the attacks, until epidemics and an early winter forced the Turks to retreat. The siege had shown that new fortifications were needed. Following plans by Sebastian Schrantz, Vienna was expanded to a fortress in 1548. The city was furnished with eleven bastions and surrounded by a moat. A glacis was created around Vienna, a broad strip without any buildings, which allowed defenders to fire freely. These fortifications, which accounted for the major part of building activities well into the 17th century, became decisive in the Second Turkish Siege of 1683, as they allowed the city to maintain itself for two months, until the Turkish army was defeated by the army led by the Polish King John III Sobieski. This was the turning point in the Turkish Wars, as the Ottoman Empire was pushed back more and more during the following decades.