Vienna is home to the world’s oldest Zoo

Built in 1752, Tiergarten Schönbrunn is the world’s oldest zoological park and is still roaring, trumpeting, barking and tweeting today.

Vienna has over 300 Balls each year

There are plenty of chances for you to show off your waltz moves in Vienna with over 150 public balls taking place in Vienna each year, usually in the first 3 months of the year, and an additional estimated 150 private balls also at this time. The Opernball with its celebrities has been held at the elegant Vienna State Opera since 1877. The Philharmonic Ball features the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in performance and takes place in their home, the Musikverein. Other favorite balls include the Blumenball, famous for its beautiful flower arrangements, the Zuckerbäckerball, which is organized by the outstanding confectioners of Vienna and where you can see spectacular display of sweets and pastries in a divine buffet, and the Kaffeesiederball, in honor of Vienna’s most famous beverage, Coffee! Put on your dancing shoes and bring your waltz, cha cha, foxtrot or jive to the perfect location in Vienna, music capital of the world and the birthplace of Viennese Waltz!

Young People’s Rights in Vienna

Viennese young people receive the right to vote in elections at age 16 but may first earn their drivers license at age 18 – so young voters must use Vienna’s excellent tram system to place their votes on election day. The legal drinking age in Vienna is 16 with some restrictions.

Europe’s highest waterfall is not too far

The highest waterfall in Europe is in Kriml Falls, just a short trip from Vienna. The water falls 1,250 feet or 380 meters.

World’s oldest Carousel is also in Vienna

Vienna’s most beloved park, the Prater, is home to the world’s oldest wheel, and one of Europe’s largest, which has 15 Gondolas, and offers a great scenic view of Vienna.

Europe’s Second largest Cemetery

Europe’s second largest cemetery is located in Vienna, known as the Zentralfriedhof, and has a total size of 2.5 square kilometers/one square mile. The Zentralfriedhof has over 2.5 million tombs and graves, which is almost double the city’s living population. It is the final resting place of some of the most famous music personalities of the world such as Beethoven, Brahms, Gluck, Schubert, Schoenberg, and Strauss.

Vienna is considered the birthplace of Psychotherapy

With great minds such as Sigmund Freud, Frankl, Vienna is considered to be the birthplace of the modern science of Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy. You can visit museums dedicated to the work of these men in Vienna today and think deep thoughts!

One of the world’s largest emeralds

A 4.5-inch vase that was carved from a single emerald crystal weighing 2,205 carats resides in the Viennese Imperial Treasury in the Hofburg Palace.

Room for all your friends

Beautiful Schönbrunn Palace, the summer palace of the Habsburgs, has no less than 1440 rooms.

Piecing things together nicely

The sewing machine was invented in 1814 by Josef Madersperger, an Austrian living in Vienna. As he had no money to open a factory he donated the machine to the Technical University.

Lots of People

About one fourth of the population of Austria lives in the capital, Vienna.

But not too heavy, even with all the Wiener Schnitzel

About half of Austrian men are overweight (50.8%, the highest rate in the EU), but only 8.6% of them are obese (4th lowest in the EU-27). In contrast only 20.3% of Austrian women are overweight (lowest rate in the 27 member states), including an equal 8.6% obese (also the lowest rate EU wide)

Not to be confused A Wiener Schnitzel is made only from veal and no other meat, this dictated and protected by Austrian law. Other types of schnitzel are free to be made from pork or turkey, but they may not call themselves a Weiner Schnitzel.