On a half-day history tour, see Vienna's most famous boulevard, the Ringstasse, designed to show the world the city's cosmopolitanism and modernity. In the company of a research guide, you'll learn about the initial controversies surrounding the construction of the boulevard, the tremendous achievement of its architecture, and how the Ring became the privileged meeting point of the city of Vienna.
In the company of a historian, walk along the Ringstrasse and get an in-depth introduction to the political life and philosophical motivations behind the project. Also, you will learn more about its social functions and geographical impact on the city in the following years. You'll start in front of the impressive Rathaus, or Town Hall, one of the landmarks along the Ringstrasse that's a popular meeting point.
When the project was presented, it was decided that a large number of public buildings should be placed all along the Ringstrasse. With your guide, you can learn about the historical style in which these public institutions were built and why certain styles were chosen for certain buildings. You can also get acquainted with the most influential architects along the Ringstrasse. For each of these architects, being selected by the commission for this prestigious project meant that they could look at their career from a completely new angle. The history of the community that lived next along the Ringstrasse will add another dimension to the discussion as you stroll along the Ring.
The boulevard of course functions as a kind of public transport gateway and the Ring became Vienna's favorite meeting and visiting place as soon as it was finished. Therefore many cafes and restaurants have been created along the boulevard. At the end of our tour, visit Cafe Schwarzenberg, established in 1861, to gain insight into Vienna's thriving coffee culture in the second half of the XNUMXth century.
