Stadtpark, Vienna

The Viennese City Park (German: "Wiener Stadtpark") extends from the "Parkring" in the First District of Vienna up to the "Heumarkt" (a street, literally translated as hay market) in the Third District and is visited both by tourists and by native Viennese. The total surface area is 65,000 m².

History

Even as early as in the Biedermeier period, the glacis before the "Karolinenstadttor" (Caroline City Gate) was a popular site of entertainment. During the demolition of the city walls and the creation of the Vienna Ringstraße in its place, the mayor at that time, Andreas Zelinka, promoted the project of creating a public park on the territory. The park was designed in the style of English gardens by the landscape painter Josef Selleny, while the plans were made by the city gardener Rudolf Siebeck. On 21 August 1862 the park was opened, becoming the first public park in Vienna.

On the southern shore of the "Wienfluß", the so-called "Kinderpark" (Children's park) was created in 1863, which is today still used mainly as a playground and for sports. The "Karolinenbrücke" (Caroline Bridge), which was built in 1857 (since 1918 it is known as "Stadtparkbrücke" - City Park Bridge) connects it to the Stadtpark proper on the northern side of the river.

After the regulation of the Wienfluss, the whole river area was rebuilt by Friedrich Ohmann and Josef Hackhofer between 1903 and 1907, with a gate out of which the river flows, pavilions and stairs to its shorts. The architecture, together with the U-Bahn station by Otto Wagner, is among the sights of the park.

Sights in the park

The Kursalon

At the water glacis, a spa pavilion was built, in which mineral water with healing properties was served. The current "Kursalon" building was built between 1865 and 1867 according to plans of Johann Garben. The opulent building in the historicist style of the Italian renaissance is located next to the "Johannesgasse". A wide terrace reaching into the park is attached to it.

After it was opened on 8 May 1867 amusements were originally prohibited. However, since that concept was not accepted, it was changed, and Johann Strauss II gave his first concert here on 15 October 1868. The Kursalon thus became a popular place for concerts and for dancing, especially during the area of the Strauss brothers. Today, after undergoing some renovation, it is still used for balls, concerts, clubbings and congresses. There is also a Café-Restaurant inside it.

Monuments

The gilded bronze monument of Johann Strauß II, is one of the most known and most frequently photographed monuments in Vienna. It was revealed to the public on 26 June 1921 and is framed by a marble relief made by Edmund Hellmer. The gilding was removed in 1935 and laid on again only in 1991.

There are several other monuments, e.g. of Franz Schubert, Franz Lehár, Robert Stolz and Hans Makart; the "Stadtpark" is the park with the largest number of monuments and sculptures in Vienna.

The "Meierei"

The former milk drinking hall was erected as part of the installations surrounding the Wienfluß according to plans of Friedrich Ohmann and Josef Hackhofer during the years of 1901 to 1903. After suffering heavy damage during World War II, the building was extended during reconstruction. Today, with another annex having been built, there is a restaurant in the "Meierei".

Plants

The flora in the park is characterized by a wide range of species, planted to bloom in all seasons. A parkway bordering the Ringstraße reduces the impact of noise and emission on the park. Some groves are natural protection zones, including Ginkgo, Christusdorn, Pyramid Poplar and Caucasian Wing Nut.

External links

* [http://www.wien.gv.at/ma42/parks/stadtp.htm Official site]
* [http://www.zoomvienna.com/archives/2006/11/stadtpark_gates.php ZoomVienna: Photo of Stadtpark Gates]
* [http://www.zoomvienna.com/archives/2005/09/johan_strauss_s.php ZoomVienna: Photo of Strauss Statue in Stadtpark]