Roaming the World (1896) Viking Danube River Cruise Part 11: Vienna

In mid-April 2025, I participated in Viking's 11-day Danube Europe tour. The ninth stop of the cruise, we visited Vienna, the capital of Austria. Photo taken in Vienna.

Vienna is located on the Danube River. It is the capital of the Holy Roman Empire, the Austrian Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Republic of Austria. It is also one of the nine federal states of the Republic of Austria, and is the largest city and political center of Austria. Photo taken in Vienna.

Vienna is one of the four official headquarters of the United Nations. In addition, Vienna is also the location of the headquarters of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as other international organizations. The picture shows the United Nations City in Vienna.

The historic city center of Vienna is listed as a World Heritage Site. With its magnificent architecture, parks, and extensive bicycle network, Vienna has been ranked first in the Global Liveability Ranking for 12 consecutive times. Photo taken in Vienna.

Vienna, with its strong classical music atmosphere, attracts musicians from all over the world. It is known as the 'World Capital of Music' and the 'City of Music.' The picture shows the famous Vienna Musikverein (Golden Hall).

Stadtpark (City Park). Located on the inner side of the Ringstrasse in the eastern part of the old town, it is the most popular park among tourists in Vienna. The park features many statues of famous figures, the most famous being the gilded statue of Johann Strauss II, the 'King of Waltz,' commonly known as the 'Little Golden Man.'

Before the early 20th century, it was the largest German-speaking city in the world. Before the dissolution of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the city already had a population of 2 million. Today it remains the second-largest German-speaking city, second only to Berlin. Photo taken in Vienna.

Hofburg Palace is the palace of the Habsburg dynasty in Austria, located in the center of the capital Vienna. It was inhabited by the royal family until 1918. In the 13th century, it was a castle, but later, as the power and territory of the Habsburg family expanded, the castle was expanded into a luxurious imperial palace. Photo taken in Vienna.

Today, it is the office of the President of Austria, an important convention center, and also houses numerous art collections and exhibitions. The famous Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) Museum is located here. Photo taken in Vienna.

St. Stephen's Cathedral was built at the end of the 12th century. Its tall spire reaches 137 meters, second only to Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The picture shows a souvenir photo of me in front of St. Stephen's Cathedral.

The architectural style of the entire cathedral is a peculiar mix. The west-facing main entrance is Romanesque, the spire is Gothic, and the altar is Baroque. The integration of these different architectural styles is the result of continuous remodeling and construction over more than four centuries, and also reflects the Viennese talent for compromise and harmony.

Interior view of St. Stephen's Cathedral.

The Plague Column (Pestsäule) in Vienna.

In the old town of Vienna, horse-drawn carriages pulled by two tall horses are a common sight. Photo taken in Vienna.

The rhythmic sound of hooves echoes in the alleys of the old town, as elegantly shaped carriages pass by. It feels as if time has returned to medieval Vienna hundreds of years ago, evoking a sense of nostalgia and retrospection. Photo taken in Vienna.

Maria Theresa Square is a famous large square in the city. The picture shows the statue of Maria Theresa. Photo taken in Vienna.