Not only Vienna, to discover the most beautiful cities of Austria
From the noble capital to the dreamy Salzburg, without forgetting Graz, Baden and the other Austrian cities that make a journey to the heart of Europe unique.
L’ Austria it is considered the cultural heart of Europe. Nestled among the Alpine peaks, it can be easily reached through the mountain passes, almost all served by motorway crossings.
From the capital Vienna, with its parks and romantic Danube promenade, to Mozart’s birthplace of Salzburg, there are numerous cities in Austria that are worth a visit.
Austria’s name is inextricably linked to music, having been the birthplace of great masters such as Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, and Schubert. The Gothic and Baroque architecture and the great imperial buildings of the 1700s reign supreme.
Thanks to the forest heritage and the green valleys especially in the warm periods, Austria is a paradise for hikers. The tourist flow linked to the snow and the practice of skiing is consistent.
Vienna
Vienna is the capital of Austria and boasts nearly two million inhabitants. It is across from Danube which bathes it in its eastern part. It is a city rich in history and tradition. It was the capital of the Austro-Hungarian kingdom and the main monuments refer to that historical period.
The city center has entered a distant part of the UNESCO heritage. It is a city with a dual identity: a distinctly industrial South, a North characterized by the presence of forests and large green spaces.
Inextricably linked to the name of Vienna, the waltz, music and dance known throughout the world which had its greatest composers in Vienna and Austria.
Furthermore, the Viennese musical tradition can boast of having seen the composer Mozart among the most active in the mid-18th century. It was in this period that Vienna experienced its maximum splendor and development, still visible today.
Visiting Vienna, in fact, means taking a dive into the past, through the years of the Empire. One of the buildings that bear witness to Viennese history is the Schonbrunn Castle, seat of the imperial house of Habsburg until the beginning of the last century located in Hietzing, on the outskirts of Vienna, it is surrounded by a large park in the Baroque style.
The Hofburg complex is older, a structure that cannot be missed in the destinations to visit, formed by different bodies from different eras, it was the seat of the emperors for over 5 centuries, inside there are different spaces for libraries and museums as well as obvious masterpieces artistic . the Belvedere, the name with which the castle located in the southern part of the city is identified, deserves a visit.
In addition to historical sites, Vienna is a city that offers many opportunities, with its huge parks, tree-lined avenues or stately streets surrounded by buildings. the less ancient part has numerous examples of modern architecture, such as the Millenium Tower.
The Praterthen, it is among the largest and most famous public parks in Europe.
And then? Among the areas and neighborhoods to visit is that of Mauerbach.
Anyone who is in Vienna cannot consider what a real monument the pastry shops are, where the art of the Viennese masters finds its maximum expression in the strudel and the Sacher cake.
Vienna can be easily reached by any means, by plane, train and car. Spectacular, the route that connects it to Germany, with a road that runs perpendicular to the Danube.
Salzburg
Salzburg is an important Austrian center located along the Salzach river, in a flat area bordering southern Germany.
It is the city that gave birth to the greatest genius of music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. This has made it one of the European capitals of culture for the numerous events linked to the figure of the great composer.
Today it is populated by over 130,000 inhabitants and is a thriving commercial reality in Austria.
Salzburg still retains its Roman urban layout, even if the historic buildings all date from around 1700.
The old part begins where the Salzburg Cathedral stands, known for its twin towers. The structure of the cathedral leads onto three squares, the Residenzplatz with a Baroque-style fountain, the Kapitelplatz where the bishop’s palace is housed and the Domplatz with austere Baroque buildings.
To visit the fortress located on the Monchsberg, from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the historic center of Salzburg. It can be reached, among other things, with a funicular that offers the possibility of a truly suggestive journey.
Obviously in Salzburg one cannot ignore everything that revolves around the figure of Mozart, from his birthplace to the museum where instruments and scores that belonged to the musician are still kept.
Graz
Graz is an important city in central Austria with almost 300,000 inhabitants.
Graz is known as a true garden city. Much of its surface, especially the ancient area, is covered by parks, meadows and hills.
The modern area of Graz is considered the commercial area of the city and is characterized by the presence of important industrial agglomerations.
The climate of Graz is continental. To visit in Graz, Hauptplatz, home to the flower market, and the old arsenal with a collection of 25,000 perfectly preserved and functional weapons.
Among the most important museums in Austria, right in Graz is the Landesmuseum Joanneum which offers the possibility to visit different sections in constant evolution.
The symbol of Graz, however, is the 15th century cathedral which welcomes the urns of numerous historical figures. Its Gothic style is an example of admirable architecture.
Do not miss a visit to Graz Castle and the old fortress.
Klagenfurt
Klagenfurt, a center of about 100,000 inhabitants, is located along the corridor between Italy and Slovenia, in the easternmost region of Austria, Carinthia.
It is a typical Austrian city that offers numerous places to visit starting from those found in Alter Platz, the main square of the city, where the original nucleus of Klagenfurt arose.
This is an area full of businesses but also of historic buildings.
These include the parish church of Sant’Egidio and the Landhaus, where the Carinthian government is based.
The main hall is embellished with coats of arms and tapestries as well as extraordinary frescoes.
However, the symbol of Klagenfurt remains the cathedral dedicated to the saints Peter and Paul, which was badly damaged during the Second World War.
Baden
Baden, or rather Baden-Baden is a small town in the western Baden-Wuerttemberg region, known as spa center and to host one of the most famous European festivals.
Numerous spas and beauty farms attract an ever-increasing number of tourists to the Baden area.
In recent years, numerous residential areas have sprung up, which are appreciable from an urban point of view. Baden-Baden is served by the motorway linking Basel to Karlsruhe and by an airport.
During your stay in Baden, do not miss a visit to Mount Merkur which can be reached via a funicular, one of the oldest in Europe, built in 1913.
Not far from Baden you can visit the Black Forestone of the most beautiful natural areas in Europe.
Wels
Wels is one of the oldest municipalities in Austria. Founded over two thousand years ago, it has always been a crossroads of cultural and artistic interests.
The historic center of Wels is characterized by numerous structures in typical Baroque architecture, which make it an appreciable village to visit.
Many of these have been turned into typical cafes and top-level trattorias where local specialties are skilfully mixed with Austrian products.
Among the most interesting sites to visit are: the town hall built entirely in the Baroque age and embellished with splendid balconies, the medieval walls with 4 towers and the ancient Savings Bank, today the House of Culture and the Media, from which enjoys a beautiful panorama.
Furthermore, near Wels, there is the zoological garden and the botanical garden for a family-sized holiday.
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