The Vienna Ringstrasse

Not only the city centre of Vienna is rich in sights, cultural sites and magnificent streets. Almost the entire 1st district is encircled by the Vienna Ringstrasse. Where the city's fortifications once stood, magnificent buildings are now strung together like a chain.

From the 13th century onwards, the area of what is now Vienna's 1st district, the historic centre of Vienna, was surrounded by a strong defensive wall. From the middle of the 19th century, this and the whole defensive ring hindered the expansion and growth of the city. Emperor Franz Joseph then decided to tear down the wall and build a magnificent boulevard in its place. Influential private individuals, entrepreneurs and the state tried to outdo each other with the buildings and ensured that the "Ring" is lined with a multitude of sights today.

Sights on the Ringstrasse in Vienna

The following famous Viennese buildings and parks, among others, are located along the 5.2 km long street, which is divided into 9 sections:

• the Stadtpark, directly opposite the Hotel Am Parkring, where you can also find the golden Johann Strauss, as well as the Vienna Kursalon
• the State Opera at the beginning of Kärntnerstraße
• the Hofburg on Heldenplatz, surrounded by the Burggarten and the Volksgarten
• the Natural History and Art History Museums
• the Parliament
• the City Hall and vis-à-vis the Burgtheater
• the Votivkirche, the stock exchange