Vienna
In the 1st century, Roman soldiers established a military camp called Vindobona on the site of today's Vienna city centre. Construction of this legionary fort began around AD 97 to secure the borders of the Roman Empire in the province of Pannonia. At its peak, the settlement housed approximately 15,000 people and served as a vital node within the empire's trade network. Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius may have died here in AD 180 during a campaign against the Marcomanni tribes. Following a Germanic invasion in the second century, the city was rebuilt but eventually abandoned when Huns invaded Pannonia in the fifth century. Remains of the original military camp lie buried beneath the modern streets, alongside fragments of an ancient canal system and small figurines found by archaeologists.
Leopold I of Babenberg became Margrave of the Eastern March in 976, establishing a frontier district along the Danube that would evolve into Austria. Henry II, Duke of Austria, moved his residence from Klosterneuburg to Vienna in 1155, coinciding with the founding of the Schottenstift monastery. The city received official city rights in 1221, marking its transition from a border outpost to a permanent capital. Ottoman forces advanced toward Vienna on two notable occasions: the Siege of Vienna in 1529 and the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Both attempts resulted in successful defense of the city against Turkish armies. In 1679, the Great Plague struck Vienna, claiming nearly one-third of its inhabitants and devastating the population. The Habsburgs established Vienna as the seat of emperors of the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century, holding this position until the empire dissolved in 1806.
Adolf Hitler arrived in Vienna on the 15th of March 1938, three days after German troops entered Austria. Two hundred thousand Austrians greeted him at Heldenplatz, where he delivered a speech announcing Austria's absorption into Nazi Germany. Persecution of Jews began almost immediately as Viennese homes and businesses were plundered. All synagogues and prayer houses in the city were destroyed except for the Stadttempel due to its proximity to residential buildings. Adolf Eichmann held office in the expropriated Palais Rothschild while organizing the persecution of Jewish residents. Of nearly 200,000 Jews in Vienna, around 120,000 fled and approximately 65,000 were killed. From the 17th of March 1944, fifty-one air raids targeted the city, destroying about one-third of the centre including culturally important buildings like the State Opera and Burgtheater. The Red Army first entered Vienna on the 6th of April 1945, surrounding the city centre by the 8th before fighting continued until Soviet forces secured victory.
Vienna was divided into sectors by four powers: the US, UK, France, and Soviet Union in September 1945. Unlike Berlin, the central area known as the first district became an international zone where all four powers alternated control every month. Police maintained daily order using a method called four soldiers in a jeep, with one soldier from each nation sitting together. Each power established separate headquarters: Soviets in Palais Epstein, French in Hotel Kummer, Americans in the National Bank, and British in Schönnbrunn Palace. During ten years of occupation, Vienna became a hotbed for international espionage between Western and Eastern Blocs. The Austrian State Treaty was signed in May 1955 and came into force on the 27th of July 1955. By October, all foreign soldiers had left the country. In Autumn 1956, Vienna accepted many Hungarian refugees fleeing after an attempted revolution there. The State Opera and Burgtheater reopened to the public that same year after years of reconstruction and restoration.
Notable composers born in Vienna include Franz Schubert, Arnold Schoenberg, Alban Berg, Anton Webern, Joseph Lanner, Johann Strauss I, and Johann Strauss II. Many influential composers relocated to Vienna including Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Franz Liszt, Gustav Mahler, Anton Bruckner, and Antonio Salieri. The city hosted premieres of operas such as Fidelio, Die Fledermaus, The Gypsy Baron, The Magic Flute, and The Marriage of Figaro. Venues like Wiener Musikverein home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra host annual New Year's Concerts. Theater an der Wien has devoted itself to opera since 2006, offering one new production each month. The Haus der Musik museum opened in 2000 to celebrate musical heritage. International artists like Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie have performed at the Vienna Jazz Festival which takes place almost every year since 1991. Falco became internationally known with Rock Me Amadeus reaching number one on American Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks in 1986.
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Common questions
When was Vienna founded by Roman soldiers?
Roman soldiers established a military camp called Vindobona on the site of today's Vienna city centre around AD 97. Construction of this legionary fort began to secure the borders of the Roman Empire in the province of Pannonia.
Who became Margrave of the Eastern March in 976 and how did it affect Vienna?
Leopold I of Babenberg became Margrave of the Eastern March in 976, establishing a frontier district along the Danube that would evolve into Austria. Henry II, Duke of Austria, moved his residence from Klosterneuburg to Vienna in 1155, coinciding with the founding of the Schottenstift monastery.
What happened during the Siege of Vienna in 1529 and the Battle of Vienna in 1683?
Ottoman forces advanced toward Vienna on two notable occasions: the Siege of Vienna in 1529 and the Battle of Vienna in 1683. Both attempts resulted in successful defense of the city against Turkish armies.
How many people died in the Great Plague of Vienna in 1679?
In 1679, the Great Plague struck Vienna, claiming nearly one-third of its inhabitants and devastating the population. The event occurred before the Habsburgs established Vienna as the seat of emperors of the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century.
When did Adolf Hitler arrive in Vienna and what was the immediate consequence for Jewish residents?
Adolf Hitler arrived in Vienna on the 15th of March 1938, three days after German troops entered Austria. Persecution of Jews began almost immediately as Viennese homes and businesses were plundered, and all synagogues and prayer houses in the city were destroyed except for the Stadttempel due to its proximity to residential buildings.
What date did the Austrian State Treaty come into force and when did foreign soldiers leave Vienna?
The Austrian State Treaty was signed in May 1955 and came into force on the 27th of July 1955. By October, all foreign soldiers had left the country following ten years of occupation divided among four powers.