Vienna at a glance

 

History

The roots date even before the times of the Roman Empire when Vindobona was a military fortification and municipium at the northern border. You still can find the remains in the town center and 40 miles eastwards in Carnuntum. The Roman emperor and philosopher, Marc Aurel, even chose the place for his residency.

Medieval Vienna in the XIth century became the capital of the Babenberg dukes. They were followed by the Habsburg dynasty who introduced a prosperous period and became German emperors. Increasing their dominion more by carefully selecting the right spouses then by wars ("Tu felix Austria nube!"), their sphere of influence increased until, at the begin of the modern age (Maximilian Ist) the sun did not set in their kingdom because they inherited Spain and the American colonies. This period already was marked by the rise of science and arts.

At the begin of the modern age, the enormous kingdom was divided into an Austrian and a Spanish dynasty, and the Austrian kingdom in the heart of Europe had to face the threats of the expanding Turkish empire. The Turks, twice besieging Vienna, were defeated, and the Austrian kingdom expanded to the Balkan under the lead of the Prince Eugene of Savoy, an ingenious strategist. This was the begin of the most flourishing baroque era (Maria Theresia) when beautiful palaces and gardens were built like the Schönbrunn and Belvedere. Art, science and music flourished in this time of tolerance and splendor that extended unto the XIXth century when Napoleon and the rising middle class changed the rules in Europe.

The XIXth and beginning XXth century was then embossed by the rise of the cultured middle class, and the expanding social and nationalistic movements that led to an enormous cultural and scientific florescence under the emperor, Franz Joseph, the witnesses hereof being the historistic Ringstraße, and the various Viennese schools (music, philosophy, art,...) But, at the end of this development was World War I, when the Austrian Hungarian Empire was destroyed, and World War II when the "Goetterdaemmerung" of the German Reich destroyed Europe.

Vienna presents nowadays as a traditional and modern, living and liveable metropole in the heart of Europe where the art of living is fostered, where art, music, and science meet, and where you can also participate if you are not rich because culture and sustainability are lived values.

 

Vienna today

Vienna is a fascinating living quite save capital with enormous cultural activities, 3 opera houses, 2 main concert halls, street music, lots of theaters, taverns, cinemas, events that may be attended even with a low budget.

Of course, things have changed, the international brands have overrun the traditional shops in the city, and McDonalds runs 196 "restaurants" in Austria, but there are lots of slow food restaurants, the Wiener Schnitzel is still cultivated (e.g. at Figlmüller), theater premieres are discussed at the "Kaffeehaus" (e.g. Frauenhuber, Café Havelka (closed on Tuesdays)), where you go when everything is at its best and where you go when everything goes wrong. The Viennese cuisine, taking the best from all the places of the Austrian monarchy, is always renewed and uses local products of highest quality. You may try it e.g. at Pfudl or at Schnattl (where the AIME17 congress dinner will take place).

There are a few Viennese words you may want to know: "servus!", also "seavas!" (an old Roman formula meaning "your servant"), or "Griasdi!" - some forms of "hi!" , "Schmäh" means "esprit", "odraht" means "sneaky", "glei" means "shortly", "Gspusi" means "a love affair", "gemma" or "fahrma Euer Gnaden" means "let's go", "los mi in Graut!" means "leave me alone!"...

 

Must see/attend

  • Hofburg and Schönbrunn, the 2 imperial castles
  • Belvedere castle, Prince Eugene's summer residency
  • St Stephens' cathedral, and the shopping areas, Graben and Kohlmarkt, in the Ist district, discover also the small side roads, especially behind St Stephen's
  • coffee (and cake) at one of the 29 "AIDA" coffeeshops, the Viennese variant of the Italian coffee shop and confectionery, or at Demel's Konditorei, the most fabulous Court Appointed Confectionery (even if you only take only a look inside (where you can also watch the making of the fabulous "Apfelstrudel")
  • if you have time, a ride on the bus #38A from Grinzing to the Kahlenberg (and back either by bus or by foot) with the most splendid view over Vienna and its vineyards
  • the Naschmarkt, a huge open-air market offering all you need for cooking and eating in best quality, most busy on Saturday mornings. There are also lots of eateries, and a flee market on Saturday mornings
  • There is a tourist tram around the city center, and several hop-on-hop-off buses
  • if you stay a little longer, there is the Danube islet festival (June 24-26) an incredibly crowded event totally free of charge presenting pop, folk, and rock music on the islet between the two parts of the Danube river
  • you may also consult 1000 Things to Do in Vienna for further ideas

 

Where to stay

There is a huge number of hotels and accommodation facilities available in Vienna in all price categories. Because of the Vienna Festival taking place May 12 to June 18 and various other events, it may nevertheless be difficult to stay at a desired place.

Because of the booking facilities offered via the Internet, we did not select a specific carrier for AIME17. In case you need assistance, the travel agency Mondial, specialized in Congress Management, may assist you with reservations, sightseeing etc.

A very subjective choice of the organizers:

  • luxury
    • Sacher, the home of the famous cake, just behind the opera house
    • Bristol, posh, right at the begin of the Kärntner Straße
    • Meridien, trendy understatement, just renewed
    • Kempinsky, recently opened, book if you are invited by Bill Gates
  • ****
  • recommendable at fair prices
  • bargain
    • Rathaus, close to town and on the way to AIME17
    • Museum, close to the museum quarter and town, on the U3
    • Ananas, close to the Naschmarkt, former publishing house
    • Nestroy, in the IInd district, close to the town center
    • Kimi Apartments, close to the University
    • IBIS Mariahilf, close to Mariahilfer Straße and Western Railway Station and U3
    • Campingplatz West, bring your tent or caravan or rent a bungalow there

 

How to access the AIME17 location

AIME17 will take place at the Hotel Wilhelminenberg, in the Western part of Vienna, on the edge of the Vienna Woods.

You can access the place by taking the bus #46A or #46B leaving at the end of the line U3, Ottakring, and taking you to the station, Wilhelminenberg (the 9th for #46A or the 10th for #46B, if the bus stops at all stations). You may also take the tram #2 (to the end of the line, Erdbrustgasse) and a 2 minutes walk to the bus stop or the tram #46 to the station, Thaliastraße/Maroltingergasse and take the bus #46A or #46B from that station (Thaliastraße/Maroltingergasse).

Public Transportation in Vienna is easy to access. There are ticket machines in the trams and buses and at the subway stations. You may also buy tickets in advance, and for 24, 48, 72 hours, and for a week at the tobacconist's, ticket machines at the subway stations or online. You may upload an informative app.

 

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