As can be expected, Vienna is the biggest city in Austria with a population of 1.7 million. More than 25% of Austria's population live in the surrounding metropolitan area.
Vienna is located at the eastern extension of the Alps. The earliest settlement was where today's inner city can be experienced - south of the Danube - although the city has spread to both sides of the river. In 2001, the city centre was designated a Unesco World Heritage Site.
The well-loved song often sung by Mimi Coertse, cites Vienna as the city of dreams. Not only for its beauty but also for being home to one of the world's great interpreters of dreams, Sigmund Freud.
During the Napoleonic wars, Vienna became the capital of the Austrian Empire. The city played a major role in European politics and the 1814 Congress of Vienna was held here to decide what should happen in Europe after Napoleon was first deposed.
Music
Vienna is probably best known for its leading role in music, playing host to a long list of composers - Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler and Richard Strauss, Arnold Schönberg and Fritz Kreisler. Then there are the heavy artillery - Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Haydn.
Vienna is also home to a number of opera houses. These include the Theater an der Wien, the Staatsoper where Mimi Coertse is still revered and the Volksoper, devoted to Viennese operetta.
Classical concerts are performed at the Wiener Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and the Wiener Konzerthaus.
With limited time, fortunately a visit to the Haus der Musik ("house of music") opened in 2000 was possible. It is a very rare thing - a museum open every day from 10:00 to 22:00.
Haus der Musik is a wonderfully innovative museum where visitors can compose their own waltz with a game of dice, compile a modern composition, conduct the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and get Mozart to compose a melody based on one’s own name.
Haus der Musik is an interactive discovery museum located between St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Vienna State Opera. The museum was awarded the Austrian Museum Prize for its innovative design and should not be missed when visiting the city.
Otto Nicolai founded the Vienna Philharmonic concerts on these premises. This connection is carried on today where the history of the orchestra is documented and made available to the public.
.JPG)
These colourful dried arrangements celebrate the fruit of the harvest with a touch of All Hallows festival in some decorations.
.jpg)
The Austrian capital is a city of dreams, music and history.
ARTICLE BY ANICA KRÜGER
