Stadtpark
Stadtpark is also known as Viennese City Park. In the German language, the place is labeled as Wiener Stadtpark. It is extensively situated starting from the Parkring in the Innere Stadt up to the Heumarkt (hay market), which is a street in the Third District of Vienna. Frequent visitors to the city park include both tourists and Viennese locals.
It was the idea of then mayor Andreas Zelinka to campaign for the project of developing a public park in the area, coinciding with the city wall demolition for the purpose of giving rise to Vienna Ringstraße. The proposal successfully materialized with the design based on English garden styles carried on by the landscape painter named Josef Selleny. The city gardener Rudolf Siebeck was the one responsible for executing and bringing the plan to life.
After successful planning and implementation, the first public park in Vienna was opened to the public on August 21, 1862.
Park Attractions
* Kinderpark ( Children’s Park)
The Kinderpark is located along Wienfluß’s southern shore. It was created in 1863, roughly a year after the first public opening of the city park. The Kinderpark is still present until now used primarily for sports activity and as a playground.
* Karolinenbrucke ( Caroline Bridge)
The Karolinenbrucke connects the Kinderpark to the Stadtpark proper situated on the northern side of Wienfluß. This bridge was built in 1857. In 1918, the bridge was renamed as Stadtparkbrucke (English: City Park Bridge) and has remained until the present time.
* The Kursalon building
The Kursalon building was erected between 1865 and 1867 based on the plans of Johann Garben. No entertainment activity was allowed during the start of the operations on the 8th of May 1867. That proposal prevented the place from gaining acknowledgement; the reason why this idea was modified, therefore allowing the concert of Johann Strauss II to take place on October 15, 1868. From then on, the Kursalon have been the most sought-after venue for entertainment activities like concerts and dancing. Even after some much-needed renovations and repairs, the place is still one of the most popular venues for balls, congresses, clubbing and concerts. The Café-Restaurant situated inside the Kursalon also offers a fine place for dining or just plain discussions over a cup of coffee.
* The Meierei (Milk drinking hall)
The development of the Meierei as part of the city park is based on the idea of Friedrich Ohmann and Joseph Hackhofer. An extension was added to the building that was reconstructed due to the massive destruction brought about by the World War II. A restaurant is now present in the annex of the building.
* Flora (Plants)
The wide variety of plant species present in the park is one of the most interesting sights that keep visitors coming back.
* Various Monuments
One of the most interesting attractions in Stadtpark is the different monuments including Johann Strauß II’s gilded bronze monument, Franz Schubert, Robert Stolz, Hans Makart and Franz Lehar. If you are fond of taking photographs in front of monuments, do not forget to visit Stadtpark when you are in Vienna, Austria.
