JPPC24

Hi everyone,

I will have three days in Vienna next month from July 22-25. I am looking for suggestions on what to see. I am a history teacher in the United States so I would like to see any historical sites especially pertaining to World War II. However,I am open to any suggestions. Favorite coffee spots, pubs, resturants.

Thanks,

John

Grindeldoo

Hi there John - I suggest you look at the Wikipedia entry on Vienna, which has a lot of information and offers plenty of links to other entries about the history of the Anschluss, the period before, the second world war and the occupation afterwards. This will give you a picture of what happened and where.

Two of my favourite cafes are Cafe Leopold Hawelka and Cafe Central. Hawelka is more informal - if the place is busy (and it usually is) you'll find yourself sharing your table with others. Cafe Central is more traditional with high ceilings and a calmer atmosphere. If you like wine, make sure you go out to Grinzing (easy by tram from Schottenring) to drink the local wine. Vienna has quite a few vineyards within the city boundaries, where you can eat and drink. July will be hot and Grinzing, on the hillside above the city, should be a bit cooler.

The so-called Bermuda Triangle (Bermuda Dreieck) is where all the late-night bars and eating places are. The name is self-explanatory. For the best Wiener Schnitzel go to Figlmüller in the city centre - they have 2 outlets, both equally good.

I can't help much with English language travel guides for Vienna apart from suggesting the ever-reliable Lonely Planet or Rough Guide. The Vienna Tourist Office is pretty helpful and their website used to be good (I've not used it more recently).

fourfortravel

John, a few suggestions for you:

1. The balcony of the National Library (Neue Burg, Heidenplatz) is where Hitler announced the Anschluss. As with all things Hitler, and rightly so, there are no plaques identifying his time in Vienna.
2. There are some remaining anti-aircraft (flak) towers: in Augarten and near Mariahilferstraße. The one near Mariahilferstraße is now an aquarium, and the rooftop is accessible for a view over the city.
3. In the 2nd district are the remains of Vienna's largest synagogue following Nazi destruction (Templegasse)
4. The Rossau Jewish Cememtery is behind a retirement home on Seegasse; just ask the staff in the entry for access. There is also a Jewish section at the Central Cemetery.
5. At Morzinplatz there is a memorial to victims of Fascism; the building on the corner (now an apartment complex) was once the hotel where opponents of socialism were "interviewed." Around the corner at Salztorgasse 6, the former back door to the hotel, is a small memorial to those who were brought in to be "interviewed."
6. There is a large Soviet War Memorial near Schwarzenbergplatz to commemorate the soldiers lost in the Battle for Vienna.

The Jewish History Museum might also be interesting.

Have a sandwich from Anker, or an Ottakringer bier, or sip a coffee from Cafe Mozart, or take a ride on the Riesenrad, and give pause to these contributions to Vienna by Jewish persons.

Cowboy1968

You already have gotten some great advice.

Historically, the Academy of Fine Arts of Vienna is one of the places in the world which makes you think "what would have happened if..".
What would have happened if they had accepted young Adolf Hitler's desperate attempts to get accepted at this school to become an artist/ painter...

Pubs / Heurigen (wine) establishments:
Schreiberhaus, Neustift im Walde (same setting as Grinzing, minus the tour buses)
Fischer-Bräu, Billrothstr.

Cafés / Kaffeehäuser
any of the local "Aida" chain will offer you a great selection of cakes and pastries - at half the price as those well known Cafés in the first district
"Tichy" ice cream parlor at Reumannplatz -- the Marillen/ apricot filled ice cream dumplings.. yummy....