Vienna 2015

Vienna is the capital and largest federal state of Austria on the Danube with over two million inhabitants. Vienna is a city with a long and rich history, from the imperial residence of the Habsburgs to the modern metropolis. Vienna is also a city with a lively and diverse culture, characterised by music, art, architecture, literature and gastronomy. Vienna is also a city with a high quality of life, regularly ranked as one of the most liveable cities in the world.

Vienna has many sights that reflect the city's historical and cultural heritage. Among the best known are:

• St Stephen's Cathedral, the city's landmark, was built in the 12th century and boasts impressive Gothic architecture.
• The Hofburg, the former imperial residence, which consists of several buildings from different eras and today houses several museums, the National Library, the Spanish Riding School and the seat of the Federal President.
  Schönbrunn Palace, the baroque summer residence of the Habsburgs, surrounded by a magnificent garden and zoo, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Kunsthistorisches Museum, one of the most important art museums in the world with an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, antiques and handicrafts from different eras and regions.
• The Museums Quartier, one of the largest cultural areas in the world, which brings together numerous museums, galleries, theatres and cafés in a former imperial court stable building.

Vienna is also a city of music, which has produced or attracted many famous composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Strauss, Mahler and Schönberg. The city has a rich music scene, ranging from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vienna State Opera, the Vienna Musikverein and the Vienna Konzerthaus to numerous orchestras, choirs, chamber music ensembles and jazz clubs. The city is also famous for the traditional Viennese waltz, which is danced above all at the Vienna Opera Ball.

Vienna is a city that has something for everyone. Whether you are interested in history, art, music, architecture, nature or nightlife, Vienna has it all. Vienna is also an important location for business, science, education and diplomacy and is home to many international organisations such as OPEC, the IAEA and the OSCE. Vienna is a city to experience.