Places of Interest

Vienna is a city of beautiful buildings. St. Stephen's Cathedral is the city's foremost landmark and tallest building. It was first built in the 12th century and has been restored or rebuilt several times since, most recently after World War II. The Hofburg, former imperial palace of the Hapsburgs, dates from the 13th century. Major additions to the palace were made in the 19th century. Housed in the Hofburg are the National Library and various imperial apartments, museums, and art collections, including the Albertina collection of European drawings and prints. Also in the Hofburg is the Spanish Riding School, where the famed Lippizan horses are trained and perform. Other impressive buildings include the Karlskirche (Church of St. Charles) and the Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces.

Throughout Vienna are various memorials to the many composers, including Beethoven, Brahms, Haydn, Mozart, Schubert, and Johann Strauss, who lived in the city. Some of their homes are preserved as museums.