The Museum of Military History provides a fascinating glimpse back into Vienna’s time as the seat of an empire that was one of the world’s most militarily powerful powers. Here you can explore weapons, armor and military machinery.
The breathtaking Baroque Belvedere palace complex (Lower and Upper Belvedere) was created for Prince Eugene of Savoy by two rival Baroque architects: Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach and Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt.
Museum of Natural History
At this museum near the Imperial Palace, visitors can gain first-hand experience of earth history and nature’s breathtaking variety. Visitors will see minerals, gemstones and pterodactyl skeletons alongside insects and various extinct creatures that visitors may come face-to-face with.
An excursion to Vienna would not be complete without visiting the Museum of Natural History, an enchanting complex featuring insect specimens, minerals and fossils as well as an immersive Digital Planetarium offering virtual journeys across the Milky Way Galaxy.
This iconic complex in Vienna is a popular tourist attraction. Tour guides provide guided tours on various themes ranging from Empress Sisi’s apartments to her silver collection and more. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this historic landmark ensures every visit will leave with unforgettable experiences.
Karlskirche
The museum is well known for its Dinosaur Hall and meteorite collection, but visitors should also explore the cathedral itself. English-language guided tours are offered of this iconic structure – one even provides access to 14th century catacombs!
Glimmering baroque church with an eye-catching gilded dome. The interior is equally grandiose – considered Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach’s most ambitious work and an expression of Austrian joie de vivre.
The Karlskirche is an eye-catching mix of styles – its towering columns recall Roman Trajan columns, the portico recalling ancient Greek architecture and its dome featuring classic Viennese Baroque design elements. Commissioned to fulfill a religious vow by Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, the church is dedicated to St Charles Borromeo (Saint Charles Borromeo helped plague victims during an outbreak in 16th Century Vienna), who also helped bolster Vienna’s historic claim as the heart of Christendom. Inside is truly stunning and music lovers will thoroughly enjoy an interior concert!
St. Stephen’s Cathedral
St. Stephen’s Church stands as one of the city’s most well-known landmarks and an architectural wonder that has come to represent both Vienna and Austria. Built over nearly 200 years, its architectural styles include many heterogeneous elements which come together for one stunning building in Central Europe.
It is renowned for its monumental south tower, which took 65 years and stands 68 meters tall. Additionally, its ornately patterned and richly colored roof is famed for incorporating tiles which form the Royal and Imperial double-headed eagle alongside Vienna’s coat of arms into intricate patterns that span its surface area.
Inside you’ll discover many valuable altars and side chapels, including an exquisite cathedral treasure of gold-covered relics, monstrances, liturgical texts and books containing liturgy texts from different denominations, monstrances decorated with precious stones as well as monstrances designed specifically to hold them all in place. Additionally, many influential Habsburgs including Emperor Frederick III and Prince Eugene who defended against Turk invasion are buried here in its crypt.
Peter’s Church
At Petersplatz Square lies this church that packs plenty of Baroque magnificence into a compact space. Its dome towers high over the square, casting shadows over buildings from both the 18th and 19th centuries.
From around the fourth century onwards, there had existed on this spot a small Romanesque church (of which only its gable wall remains today). That church was eventually replaced by an impressive 17th-century structure, commissioned by Emperor Leopold I and beginning construction in 1701. Gabriele Montani initially designed it, before later giving way to Austrian architect Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt – until finally being completed and consecrated in 1733.
Church interiors can be truly mesmerizing, with stunningly-colorful interiors that leave visitors breathless, as well as organ concerts and recitals regularly held here for visitors to enjoy. Offering free entry and located right in Vienna’s center, this church is an absolute must-see for fans of Baroque architecture – you can explore it on your own or with GPSmyCity which provides self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 cities for free – download it today on iTunes or Google Play and make your phone into your personal guide!
