What to see in Vienna.
Kunsthistorische Museum (Fine Arts)
The Hapsburgs were to the arts of the 18th C what the Medici's were to the renaissance. This museum was built to house the immense collection, although much of the excess has had to be rehoused in the Hofburg and Schloss Schonbrunn palaces. The collections include works by Raphael, Rembrandt and Ruebens as well as some very important Egyptian and oriental pieces. Open Tues-Sun 10am-6pm, (9pm Thu), admission €9.
The building is the mirror image of the fine arts museum, this one was built to house the scientific collections of Maria Theresa Hapsburg's husband Francis I. Inside are 3 million fossils, pieces of meteorites, prehistoric animal skeletons and the 25,000 year old 'Venus of Willendorf' sculpture. Open Wed-Mon, 9am-6pm (9pm Wed), admission €6.50
Hofburg Palace (Winter Palace) - Ub Herngasse
This was the Imperial winter home of the Hapsburgs and allowed them to stay close to the political pulse of their empire until 1918. The origins were a mediaeval castle but it expanded along with the empire and each successive emperor. The complex includes the Spanish Riding school, home of the talented Lipizzaner horses, royal apartments, the Hof Kapelle where the Vienna Boys Choir perform and Treasury rooms with important exhibits from the Hapsburg's reign. Also home to the Austrian president's office. Opening hours for the Imperial Apartments Wed-Fri 10am-6pm (9pm Thu), entry €7.50
Archduke Charles II imported some Andalusian horses in 1580 from the Spanish arm of the family to create a mixed breed capable of working in combat. They were bred with other horses at a stud farm in Slovenia at Lipica (Lipizza), and so began the origins of the Lipizzan breed. Foals are typically born black and mature into a white horse. Quick thinking by General George Patton in WWII during the liberation saved the breed from extinction. The horses perform an equine ballet that represents complex manoeuvres in battle with leaps, turns and dressage elements. The gala performances are held in the indoor arena, which can hold up to 10,000 people. Tickets are always in high demand and need to be ordered well in advance. The morning training sessions are the easiest way to see the horses strut their stuff, 10am-12pm Tues-Sat. Tickets can only be bought on the day at the door (€11.50). Performance tickets range in price from €35-105 for seats or €24-28 for standing and can be booked via the internet. Entry to the museum is €5 or there is a combined training and museum for €14.50. Season runs March-June and Sept-December.
This was the Hapsburgs summer residence, built in 1696 it is said even to surpass Louis XIV efforts at Versailles for grandeur. The Baroque gardens are UNESCO World heritage listed and have the worlds oldest zoo, a maze, stunning views as well as areas for summer performances in the open. Open daily 8.30am-5pm April-October (7pm July-August) and 8.30am-4.30pm Nov-March. Admission is €7.50 or €14 for the VIP pass (April-October only).
Fredensreich Hundertwasser had a vision for people to live in interesting houses in order to lead interesting lives. His architectural vision lives on in this building which has a unique café, print shop, exhibition space and details about his life and works. The apartments can only be viewed from the outside. Open daily 10am-7pm, admission €8 and all exhibitions are half price on a Monday. HAUS DER MUSIK - Ub Stephansplatz
If the Statsoper and Volkstheater are fully booked this may be a fun alternative as you get to be the audience, performer and the conductor. The Haus der Musik is a new attraction combining art and technology over five floors, from the Philharmonic museum rooms to the Sonosphere examining sound with large instruments, to the Virtual conductor where you get to lead the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. The café on the top floor gives you a chance to contemplate your next symphony while over looking St Stephans Cathedral. Open 10am-10pm daily, admission €8.50, Vienna Philharmonic Museum €5 or combined ticket €10.