Hundertwasser House - An exquisite achitecture, made by Friedensreich Hundertwasser

Hundertwasser House, Vienna, Austria

 This is an apartment house in Vienna, Austria. The idea and conception belong to the Austrian artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser with architect Joseph Krawina as a co-author. This expressionist landmark of Vienna is located in the Landstrabe district on the corner of Kegelgasse and Löwengasse.

Hundertwasser House on the other side, Vienna, Austria

Hundertwasser House, Vienna, Austria

Friedensreich Hundertwasser started out as a painter. Since the early 1950s, however, he increasingly became focused on architecture, writing and reading in public manifestos and controversial essays. In lectures at academies and before architectural associations, Hundertwasser elucidated his concerns regarding an architecture in harmony with nature and man. 

Hundertwasser House, Vienna, Austria

Hundertwasser House, Vienna, Austria

 In 1977 it was suggested that Hundertwasser be given the opportunity to realize his ideas in the field of architecture by allowing him to build a housing project. So, Hundertwasser was invited to create an apartment building according to his own ideas. The search for a suitable building plot took several years. Because Hundertwasser was not an architect he asked the City of Vienna to provide a professional architect willing to transpose his concepts into architectural drawings. To this end, architect Josef Krawina was invited to join the artist and to help him to put his ideas into practice.

Later, when Krawina presented to Hundertwasser his preliminary drawings and a Styrofoam model, Hundertwasser was shocked and rejected them as representing exactly the leveling, straight-lined modular grid against which he had consistently fought. Hundertwasser succeeded in convincing the City of Vienna of the validity of his concept of a forested roof terrace house. However, architect Krawina continued to express skepticism towards these ideas. That’s why he was replaced by Architect Pelikan. He  became Hundertwasser’s long-term partner, working with him on numerous other building projects.

Hundertwasser House on the outside, Vienna, Austria

Hundertwasser House art toilet, Vienna, Austria

Hundertwasser House stairs, Vienna, Austria

In the end the house was built between 1983 and 1985 according to the ideas and concepts of Hundertwasser with architect Univ.-Prof. Joseph Krawina as a co-author and architect Peter Pelikan as a planner.

It features undulating floors, a roof covered with earth and grass, and large trees growing from inside the rooms, with limbs extending from windows. Hundertwasser took no payment for the design of the house, declaring that it was worth it, to prevent something ugly from going up in its place.

Within the house there are 52 apartments, four offices, 16 private terraces and three communal terraces, and a total of 250 trees and bushes. The Hundertwasser House is one of Vienna's most visited buildings and has become part of Austria's cultural heritage.

Hundertwasser House, Vienna, Austria

In  2001 Krawina was encouraged to legally substantiate his claim as co-creator of the “Hundertwasser House.” In 2010 the court ruled him to be co-creator of the house, also he has to be acknowledged by the Hundertwasser Non-Profit Foundation as co-creator, if making any illustration or replica of the house. According to the ruling, Hunderwasser was the sole spiritual creator of the building, however, Krawina must be recognized as a co-creator of equal standing and be paid an equal share in royalty receipts.

Hundertwasser House, fountain, Vienna, Austria

Hundertwasser House, Vienna, Austria

Hundertwasser House, gadren, Vienna, Austria

Top 10 things to see and do in Vienna

Vienna is a regal and beautiful city that has enough to keep any visitor entertained for days. Here are our top ten recommendations for things to see and do during your stay.

1. Visit the Hofburg and Schönbrunn Palaces 

The Baroque Garden of Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s famous Hofburg Palace has housed some of the most powerful people in Austrian history, including the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of the Austro-Hungarian empire. It was the Habsburgs’ principal winter residence, as the Schonbrunn Palace was their preferred summer residence. The Hofburg Palace currently serves as the official residence of the President of Austria.

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria

Both palaces are stunning in appearance, and will give you a great insight into how the rich and powerful lived in centuries gone by. The Hofburg Palace is located in the city centre, but you’ll need to venture a little further out to see the beautiful grounds and gardens of the Schönbrunn Palace, and the world’s oldest zoo that sits within them.

 
2. Take a tour of St Stephan’s Cathedral

St Stephan’s Cathedral, Vienna, Austria

Originally constructed in the twelfth century, ‘Stephansdom’ as it’s known in German, was rebuilt after a fire in 1258 and was heavily damaged during World War II, but the restored cathedral is considered one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Europe. It contains an exquisite collection of religious art and carved altars, and climbing the 343 steps to the top of the south tower, or Steffl, will give you an amazing view of the city.

St Stephan’s Cathedral on the inside, Vienna, Austria

3. Walk around the Ring

A good way to see Vienna is to take a stroll around the Ring, a series of roads that surround the old city. A city wall once stood here, but the Ring now forms a border around the area, which contains many of Vienna’s most popular sights and attractions. If it’s cold or raining you could choose to take a tram around the Ring, and you’ll still see the main attractions, which include the Hofburg (Imperial Palace), the Museum of Natural History, the Kunsthistorisches Museum (Museum of Fine Arts), the Burgtheater, and the State Opera House, as well as Vienna’s City Park.

4. Spend some time exploring the Museum Quarter

Museum of Modern Art, Vienna, Austria

Don’t be fooled into thinking that the museum quarter is sleepy! Enjoying a very central location in Vienna, the museum quarter is in fact known for its vibrancy and for the wealth of bars and restaurants that sit in between and alongside the 12 museums that give the area its name. 

Amongst the many art galleries and city museums located in this district, the Leopold Museum, home to a a prestigious collection of paintings by local Austrian artist Egon Schiele, is a particular highlight, as is the Vienna Museum of Modern Art (Moderner Kunst).

5. Watch a performance at the Spanish Riding School

The Spanish Riding School, Vienna, Austria, the only institution in the world which has practiced for over 430 years and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute ecole.

The Spanish Riding School of Vienna, is a traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses. Lipizza is a small region in Slovenia, and is famous for producing what is widely regarded to be the best classical type of race horse. It’s from this region that the horses have been taken from since the founding of the school in 1572.

Aside from being a centre for classical dressage, it also offers public performances as well as public viewing of some training sessions.

6. Take a coffee break at one of Vienna’s famous coffee houses

Sachertorte, by Franz Sacher

This is Sachertorte - a chocolate cake, invented by Franz Sacher in 1832 for Klemens Wenzel von Metternich in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the most famous Viennese culinary specialties.

Vienna is famous over the world for its coffee houses (Kaffeehäuser). They offer a fantastic place to relax, watch the world go by, and escape the cold in the winter! Of course, they also give you an opportunity to sample the delights of Austrian baking…of which there are many.  Some of the typical cakes and pastries include:

Strudel - sweet pastry with apple, nut or sweet cheese filling
Beugel - pastry croissant with nuts
Rehrücken - chocolate cake

A wonderful coffee house where you can enjoy a break and feel the atmosphere of Vienna.

7. Take a stroll around the Saturday Naschmarkt

Naschmarkt, Vienna, Austria

 

The Naschmarkt is Vienna’s largest and most popular outdoor market. Located at the Wienzeile over the Wien River it spans about 1 and a half kilometres and has existed since the 16th century. Nowadays, you can buy fresh fruit and vegetables from around the world, you can sample delights from local restaurant stalls and there is also a flea market to peruse.

 8. Visit the State Opera House

Opera House, Vienna, Austria

Vienna is quite simply synonymous with opera, and even if you don’t appreciate the art form itself, the opera house is well worth a look in its own right. One of the top opera addresses in the world, the famous place offers a different programme every day, with over 50 operas and ballet works on around 300 days per season. There is actually a museum dedicated solely to the opera house, which has been in existence for 140 years.

 9. Watch the world go by in Stephansplatz

Stephansplatz, Vienna, Austria

Stephansplatz is situated right in the heart of Vienna and is home to the magnificent St Stephan’s cathedral. Sitting in the square you can indulge in a spot of people-watching, and of course, enjoy the street performances and the coming and going of the gothic-looking horses and carriages that offer tourist rides around to city too . The main shopping streets in Vienna are very close to Stephansplatz as well, if you fancy pampering yourself for an afternoon!

10. Enjoy a ride on the Wiener Reisenrad

The Giant Ferris Wheel in The Prater, Vienna, Austria

The Wiener Riesenrad is a Ferris wheel at the entrance of the Prater amusement park in Leopoldstadt, the 2nd district of Austria’s capital Vienna. It is now one of Vienna’s most popular tourist attractions, and symbolises the district as well as the city for many people.

The Riesenrad was one of the earliest Ferris wheels, erected in 1897 to celebrate Emperor Franz Josef I’s golden Jubilee. At this time it was the largest in the world with an overall height of almost 65 metres. Not only will it enable you to experience a slice of Viennese history, it’ll also give you a fantastic view over the city.

Vienna, Austria

Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria

Palas Athene, Vienna, Parliament, Austria

Top 10 ideas for Winter getaway in Europe

There are lots of great places to visit during the winter in Europe - where you will choose to go depends on what you want from you break. There may be a specific language that you’d like to practise, or learn, in which case your choice will be straightforward. If your travel plans are purely leisure-based though, your decision  will depend on whether you’re looking for sun or snow, and (if you’re planning a trip in November or December) whether you want some festive cheer, or to avoid the chaos of Christmas! Whatever the case, here are several recommendations for some great winter travel destinations this year. 

Winter in Heidelberg

For anyone who embraces all about Christmas, and who pines for those festive childhood Decembers, Heidelberg is a fantastic place to go to during November and December. With its fairytale castle, beautiful setting and pretty old town, there’s no better place to take in some Christmas markets and soak up a bit of festive cheer…and gluhwein! If you’re lucky you might even get some snowfall - not unusual for this part of Germany in the run up to Christmas.

Christmas Market, Heidelberg, Germany

 
2. Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife, Canary Islands

If you like beaches and amazing summer views, you can do some winter escape to the Canary Islands. It's not obligatory for you to spend traditional winter holiday. So, anyone who hates the cold and whose sole requirement from a winter trip is that it takes them somewhere hot will find out that Tenerife is a great option. With average temperatures in November and December of around 15 º C, and plenty of sunshine to enjoy, it’ll provide a very welcoming respite from the grey days and frosty mornings. Tenerife is really well served by low-cost airlines, and budget accommodation is easy to find too, which means that it’s also a good destination for anyone who needs to travel on a shoestring.

Tenerife, Canary Islands-the perfect place for a deserved break

The atmosphere in Tenerife's resort complex

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

3. Turin, Italy

Turin, Italy

 Turin hosted the Winter Olympics in 2006, which gives some indication of its first-class sporting and entertainment options at this time of the year. Obviously, it’s a great destination for ski and snowboard enthusiasts, but it also offers a really festive atmosphere in general. The lively Turin Christmas Market is held every year in the piazzas and gardens of Borgo Dora, within the Maglio and Ciliegi courtyards. Market stalls open every day, with music, theatre and activities for children too.

Castle of Valentino (Castello del Valentino), in the Valentino park, Turin, Italy

 
4. Lyon, France

Lion, France

 

As France’s gastronomic capital, Lyon is a great place to visit at any time of the year. If you visit around 8th December though, you’ll experience the awesome Fête des Lumières (festival of light), when every household places candles along the outsides of all the windows and Lyon’s finest buildings are illuminated with fantastic lights, shows and music.  Lyon is also close to the slopes of the French Alps, which makes spending a few days skiing easy to incorporate into your trip.

Lion, France, Christmas time

  5. Valkenburg Christmas Market- a wonderful experience

 If you’re after something a little bit different then definitely consider the Christmas market in Valkenburg, Netherlands. The whole market is housed in a cave lying underneath the city and visitors travel for miles to enjoy the atmospheric grotto-esque shopping experience. Wander the candle-lit labyrinth of passageways and caverns for gifts and decorations and make sure you also see the impressive mural carvings and sculptures also located there.

Valkenburg Christmas Market: 18th November – 23rd December 2011

6. Hanging out with Santa in Lapland, Finland

Lapland, Finland

Keep the kids happy and spend Christmas in Lapland in Finland. Instead of sitting at home and fighting the boredom, Lapland is a place where Christmas can truly be a fairytale experience. Ride husky or reindeer driven sleighs, try a snowmobile, snowshoe walk to your cosy log cabin and of course meet Santa in a personal one-to-one. Lapland is cheaper and easier to get to than ever before, so now there really is no excuse.

 7. Barcelona – The Coolest Christmas Market 

Barcelona Christmas market, Spain

 The Catalan capital is often considered one of the coolest European cities and Christmas in Barcelona is no exception. The weather is still warm enough to walk comfortably around at night and the lively street artists on Las Ramblas add to the great atmosphere. The fun Santa Lucia market is located near the cathedral in the Gothic quarter in Barcelona and here you can buy local crafts, unusual gifts (including Caganer, a Catalan “pooping” statue) and the traditional Spanish Christmas sweet turron. If you plan your stay around the 28th December, you’ll be treated to the Spanish version of April Fool’s Day when the streets will be filled with music, artists and even livelier entertainment.

Santa Lucia Christmas Market: 1st – 24th December 2011 or 28th December 2011 for “Holy Innocents’ Day” (the Spanish version of April Fools Day).

8. Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria

When it comes to crisp winter mornings and cosy cafes where you can shelter from the cold, Vienna is hard to beat. Largely because of what you’ll find in those cosy cafes! Vienna’s reputation as coffee and cake capital is richly deserved, and you’re eyes will most certainly be bigger than your belly when you select your slabs of gateau from the cabinet. If you can ever coax yourself out of the warm cake-havens though, you’ll be in for even more treats – Vienna’s architecture and history is amazing as the best of times, but when Christmas decorations are all around and you have ice rinks and Christmas markets to enjoy, Vienna will rapidly become your new favourite place.

Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria,The city offers many and different options for entertainment

Vienna, Austria, Christmas Market

The Ferris Wheel in Parter Park, this is one of the earliest ferris wheels in the world

If you're a parson of the Christmas spirit, there are two more options here for a Christmas Market:

 

9. Prague, Czech Republic, The Old Town Square Christmas Market

The Old Town Square Christmas Market, Prague, Czech Republic

 

10. Dresden, Germany, Christmas Market

Christmas Market of Dresden, Germany