Vienna

Did you know that Vienna possesses one of the most beautiful city railway networks in Europe? In the 1890s, Otto Wagner, one of Austria\'s most important architects, came up with the idea of making the Vienna transport system more than just a regular series of train stations - he wanted to create works of art. From the handrails to the doorknobs on the ticket booths, Wagner made sure that every minor detail was crafted to perfection.
Did you know that the most elegant horses strut their stuff in the centre of Vienna? The \'Spanische Hofreitschule\' has been going since 1572 and is one of the most famous riding schools in the world. Taking its name from the \'Spanish Lipizzaner\', a breed of horse which was ridden in the area, the school is famous for the classic riding traditions of the \'Hohen-Schule\'. The grace of the horses can be seen during morning sessions or at special gala performances, although tickets are often sold-out months in advance.
Did you know that the Vienna State Opera is more than just a symbol of Vienna\'s musical tradition? After being nearly completely destroyed by fire during an air raid in 1945, the Vienna State Opera House was reopened almost ten years later with a performance of Beethoven\'s opera \'Fidelio\'. The Vienna Philharmonic keep the city\'s musical traditions alive with daily shows, while the Vienna Opera Ball takes place every year on the final Thursday of \'Fasching\', the annual festival season, offering around 4,700 visitors the chance to enjoy an unforgettable evening.
Did you know that the city\'s art history and natural history museums look almost identical? A walk along the Burgring will bring you to the two buildings, designed by the architects Gotfried Semper and Carl von Hasenauer. Art enthusiasts should not miss the wonderful paintings on view at the art gallery, including works by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Caravaggio and Raphael. Those who prefer fossils, meteorites, animals and plants should pay a visit to the natural history museum however, before taking a relaxing walk in the gardens surrounding the Maria-Theresia-Monument.
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