Stadtpark: green heart of Vienna

Ogi Savic | Live the World

November 23, 2022

Are you tired of walking the asphalt or old cobblestone streets of Vienna Old Town? Do you need a break from busy city life? Directly in the heart of Vienna, there is Stadtpark, a green oasis where you can relax, feed the ducks, and enjoy numerous sculptures or world-class gastronomy.

The park of the sculptures

The Stadtpark, in English City Park, is the Vienna’s equivalent of New York City's Central Park, a little haven of tranquillity in the heart of the busy metropolis. It is located next to the historic Innere Stadt (Inner Town), divided from it only by Ring Strasse, a grand boulevard and the most famous Vienna’s street. The park was designed in the style of English gardens at the end of the 19th century, after the demolition of the city walls.

The Stadtpark is famous for its numerous statues and sculptures, and it is known as the park with the largest number of monuments in Vienna. There you can find memorials to the great Austro-Hungarian composers such as Franz Lehar, Franz Schubert, Anton Bruckner, Robert Stolz, and Sebastian Kneipp. However, the monument that gets the most of the attention, and represents the motive of the many postcards from Vienna, is the monument to Johann Strauss the Son on his violin. The bronze sculpture of the Viennese waltz king with golden plating, framed by a marble relief was unveiled in 1921. The gilding from the statue was removed in 1935 and reapplied in 1991.

Picture © Credits to iStock / dmaroscar

Green oasis in the city

Vienna is the city with many parks, some of them are huge and some are just the green pockets around the corner. With its 65.000 square meters, Stadtpark represents a not-so-small green oasis in the centre of the city, and a perfect spot to take a break from sightseeing. Walking around the park on the paths with numerous benches, you will notice a diversity of the plants, a mix of various trees and shrubs. There is also a big grass area, where you can see many people picnicking when the weather allows it. Several pools and fountain installations can be found in the park, and ducks are their frequent guests. The park is cut in the middle by the Wien River, which is regulated throughout the park. The banks of the river are designed with a gate, pavilions, and stairs, connecting the park with the banks of the river. Next to the gate and pavilions is the metro station Stadtpark, designed by the most famous Austrian architecture Otto Wagner.

Picture © Credits to iStock / SlavkoSereda

World class gastronomy

In the park, you can find good spots for taking a break and having a drink or a meal. Kursalon, an Italian Renaissance styled building, is the most dominant object in the park. Although it was built to serve as a place where visitors could get mineral water to drink, today it is a popular dance and concert venue and a meeting place for Viennese society. The terrace overlooking the Stadtpark and Strauss monument is a perfect location to have a coffee or a drink. However, if you want to have a world-class meal, you should head to the Meierei or Steirereck.  Meierei is located in a fancy building, which sits alongside the Wien River. It was opened in 1903 as a milk-drinking hall. Since 2004, it is home of the world-class restaurant, the part of Steirereck family of restaurants. Steirereck is the two Michelin stars restaurant, located in a monolithic glass cube next to Meierei. It holds the number 9 spot in the World's 50 Best Restaurants list and serves top-of-the-range “neo-Austrian” cuisine.

Picture © Credits to iStock / AND-ONE

Stadtpark is the green heart of the city and a true oasis. With its sculptures, amazing flora, and world-class gastronomy, it's a must-see for everyone visiting Vienna.

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