The Volksgarten, or "people's garden", is Vienna's best-loved park.
It was originally designed on the remains of fortifications that Napoleon had demolished during the 1809 occupation of Vienna. Later, at the end of the nineteenth century, when the Ring was built, it was expanded to its present size of ten hectares. This green area was originally designed exclusively for members of the royal family, but in 1823, it was opened as a public park, accessible to anyone.
Given its splendid location, right in the heart of the city, its many benches, or indeed the perfectly kept lawns, offer fabulous views of the monumental buildings that surround the park, such as the Parliament, the Rathaus, the Burgtheater, the Hofburg , or the Naturhistorisches Museum.
If you prefer, you can stroll among the colorful French-style flower beds with perfect geometric designs, featuring picturesque fountains and more than two hundred species of roses.
In the center of this green space, don't miss the Temple of Theseus, built in 1820 by Peter von Nobile to house Antonio Canova's sculptural group Theseus and the Minotaur, currently on display in the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
Also noteworthy is the Empress Elizabeth Memorial, the monument erected by Friedrich Ohmann in 1906 in memory of Empress Sissi: preceded by a pond filled with water lilies, it is a delightfully peaceful spot, located behind Löwelstrasse.
On the opposite side of the garden, near the entrance to the Burgring, you’ll find the monument dedicated to the Austrian poet Franz Grillparzer, and the original Cortische Kaffeehaus, a historic coffee house where, in 1867, Johann Strauss first played the instrumental version of the world's most famous waltz, the Blue Danube.
Now, however, the classic tunes of yesteryear have been replaced by modern disco music...
Let me leave you with an interesting fact: You may be surprised to discover that right under your feet is an underground passageway. It is the ventilation system of the nearby Burgtheater, which is directly connected to this garden.
