Architecture sights in Vienna
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Postsparkasse
The celebrated Post Office Savings Bank building is the work of Otto Wagner, who oversaw its construction between 1904 and 1906, and again from 1910 to 1912. The Jugendstil design and choice of materials were innovative for the time, with the grey marble facade held together by 17,000 metal nails, and an interior filled with sci-fi aluminium heating ducts and naked stanchions. The small museum at the back of the main savings hall hosts temporary exhibitions focusing on design – anything from office buildings to nifty kitchenware.
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Secession Building
In 1898, Olbrich designed the Secession movement’s Secession Building; its most striking feature is the enormous golden sphere (prosaically described as a ‘golden cabbage’ by some Viennese) rising from a turret on the roof. Above the door are highly distinctive mask-like faces with dangling serpents instead of earlobes. The motto above the entrance postulates: ‘Der Zeit ihre Kunst, der Kunst ihre Freiheit’ (To each time its art, to art its freedom). The 14th exhibition held in the building, in 1902, featured the famous Beethoven Frieze by Klimt. This 34m-long work was intended only as a temporary exhibit, but has been painstakingly restored and is permanently on show in…
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Stephansdom
Vienna’s Gothic masterpiece Stephansdom (St Stephen’s Cathedral), or Steffl (Little Stephan) as it’s locally called, symbolises Vienna like no other building. A church has stood on this site since the 12th century, but little remains of the original structure aside from the Riesentor (Giant’s Gate) and Heidentürme (Towers of the Heathens); both features are Romanesque in style. In 1359, at the behest of Habsburg Duke Rudolf IV, Stephansdom began receiving its Gothic makeover and Rudolf earned himself the epithet of ‘The Founder’ by laying the first stone in the recostruction. Much of the nave is closed to the public during mass, which is held up to seven times a …
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Schloss Belvedere
Belvedere is a masterpiece of total art and one of the world’s finest baroque palaces. Designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt (1668–1745), it was built for the brilliant military strategist, Prince Eugene of Savoy, conqueror of the Turks in 1718. The Unteres (Lower) Belvedere was built first (1714–16), with an orangery attached, and was the prince’s summer residence. Connected to it by a long, landscaped garden is the Oberes (Upper) Belvedere (1721–23), the venue for the prince’s banquets and other big bashes.
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Kirche Am Hof
The former Jesuit monastery Kirche Am Hof, on the southeast side of Am Hof, has a baroque facade adapted from its fire-damaged Gothic predecessor and the hugely expansive nave is lined with white pillars and topped with gold badges. It was here in 1806 that a royal herald announced the end of the Holy Roman Empire, ruled by the Habsburgs for about 500 years. The Mariensäule (Mary’s Column) in the centre of the square is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and was erected in 1667.
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Römer Museum – Hoher Markt
Who knows what the Romans would make of their former outpost today being hidden beneath a restaurant on Hoher Markt, but the small expanse of Roman ruins dating from the 1st to the 5th century are thought to be part of the officers’ quarters of the Roman legion camp at Vindobona. You can see crumbled walls and tiled floors and a small but selective exhibit on artefacts found during the excavations. The ruins are part of the ‘Wien Museum’ municipal museum ensemble of Vienna.
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Burgkapelle
The Burgkapelle (Royal Chapel) originally dates from the 13th century and received a Gothic makeover from 1447 to 1449, but much of this disappeared during the baroque fad. The vaulted wooden statuary survived and is testament to those Gothic days. This is where the Vienna Boys’ Choir Mass takes place every Sunday at 9.15am between September and June. The chapel is sometimes closed to visitors in July and August, so check ahead in those months.
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Ankeruhr
The picturesque Ankeruhr was created by Franz von Matsch in 1911 and commissioned by the Anker Insurance Co. Over a 12-hour period, figures such as Josef Haydn and Maria Theresia slowly pass across the clock face – details of who’s who are outlined on a plaque on the wall below. Join the mass of tourists at noon when all the figures trundle past in turn, and organ music from the appropriate period is piped out.
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Hofpavillon Hietzing
Built between 1898 and 1899 by Otto Wagner as part of the public transport system, the Hofpavillon Hietzing was originally designed as a private station for the imperial court. The elaborate wood-panelled interior is suitably regal and was designed by Wagner in conjunction with Josef Olbrich. Its white facade, decorated with wrought ironwork, is easily spotted just east of the U4 Hietzing stop. It is in poor shape and closed for renovation.
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Peterskirche
The Peterskirche (Church of St Peter), was built in 1733 according to plans of the celebrated baroque architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt. This was not the first baroque church in Vienna nor is it considered the finest. But don’t pass without at least a glimpse at its interior highlights: a fresco on the dome painted by JM Rottmayr and a golden altar depicting the Martyrdom of Saint John Nepomuk.
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Wittgensteinhaus
Designed by Paul Engelmann – a student of Adolf Loos – and the philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, this building has strict lines and a stepped design reminiscent of the Bauhaus style. It’s now occupied by the Bulgarian embassy and can be viewed at set times or by prior appointment. Taking photographs is forbidden, though.
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Votivkirche
In 1853 Franz Josef I survived an assassination attempt when a knife-wielding Hungarian failed to find the emperor’s neck through his collar. The Votivkirche (Votive Church) was commissioned in thanks for his lucky escape; in stepped Heinrich von Ferstel with a twin-towered neo-Gothic construction, completed in 1879.
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Kalke Village
Kalke Village is the handiwork of Hundertwasser, created from an old Michelin factory. It contains overpriced cafes, souvenir shops and art shops, all in typical Hundertwasser fashion with colourful ceramics and a distinct absence of straight lines.
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Hundertwasser Haus
This residential block of flats was designed by Hundertwasser, Vienna’s radical architect and lover of uneven surfaces. It is now one of Vienna’s most prestigious addresses, even though it only provides rented accommodation and is owned by the city of Vienna.
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Majolikahaus
Art Nouveau masterpiece by Otto Wagner, so named for the majolica tiles used to create the flowing floral motifs on the façade.
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Akademietheater
The Burgtheater runs the 500-seater Akademietheater, which was built between 1911 and 1913.
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