Vienna charms the world with its grand palaces and rich musical history. While tourists flock to the opera house, the city hides many intriguing mysteries beneath its elegant surface. For instance, the local pastries actually owe their existence to a legendary battle. Furthermore, the city remains a global hub for international espionage today. Prepare to waltz through the secrets of the Habsburgs.
Vienna
Many experts consider Vienna the world capital of spies. Because of its central location and unique laws, thousands of intelligence agents operate there. Consequently, many international organizations keep their headquarters in the city to stay close to the action.
The famous croissant originated in Vienna, not France. Legend says that bakers heard the Ottoman Turks tunneling under the city walls in 1683. To celebrate the victory, they created a crescent-shaped pastry called the Kipferl.
Erwin Perzy invented snow globes in Vienna by accident. In 1900, he tried to improve the brightness of the newly invented lightbulb. Instead, he created a miniature winter wonderland that became a global phenomenon.
A massive network of secret tunnels sits beneath the city streets. People used these underground passages for everything from storing wine to escaping during wars. Today, curious visitors can still tour parts of the historic sewer system.
Vienna has its own unique dialect of German called Wienerisch. It sounds much softer and more melodic than the standard version of the language. Therefore, even fluent German speakers sometimes struggle to understand the local slang.
The world’s oldest zoo occupies the grounds at Schönbrunn Palace. It opened its doors in 1752 as a private royal menagerie. Remarkably, the zoo still operates today and focuses heavily on the conservation of endangered species.
Residents can rent a professional ball gown at the local laundromat. Because the city hosts over 450 formal balls every year, fashion is a serious business. Thus, special shops offer high-end formal wear for those attending the gala events.
The Central Cemetery holds the remains of both Beethoven and Mozart. However, neither of them actually died in the spots where their monuments stand today. The city moved their remains years later to create a “neighborhood of geniuses.”
The city almost demolished the giant Ferris wheel in the Prater. After World War II, the local government lacked the funds to repair the iconic structure. Fortunately, a private investor saved it, and it remains one of the oldest working wheels in the world.
Vienna produces more wine within its city limits than any other capital. Over 700 hectares (1,700 acres) of vineyards cover the surrounding hills. Specifically, the city is famous for Gemischter Satz, a wine made from several different grape varieties.
The Spanish Riding School features horses that are born black but turn white. These Lipizzaner stallions perform world-famous classical dressage routines. Eventually, their coats change color as they reach maturity over several years.
UNESCO recently granted coffee culture special protected status. A traditional Viennese café allows you to sit for hours with just one cup. Indeed, the city views these coffee houses as extended living rooms for the public.
Sigmund Freud made the city the birthplace of psychoanalysis. He lived and worked in Vienna for most of his life. His former apartment now serves as a museum that explores how he mapped the human subconscious.
High-pressure pipelines carry fresh water from the Alps directly to the city. As a result, the tap water in Vienna often possesses higher quality than expensive bottled brands. Residents enjoy some of the cleanest water in Europe.
Finally, a colony of wild hamsters lives in the city center flowerbeds. These European hamsters inhabit the grounds of the Central Cemetery. Although they look cute, they behave quite feisty when they protect their territory.
