War and Reconstruction: An Introduction to Vienna’s History with Context

Vienna and its architecture still show the scars of Austria’s past, from its bombing in WWII to Nazi Germany’s annexation of the country. On this walking tour with historian and Context Travel expert Stephan Turmalin, you’ll learn about some of this long and complex history, including an intriguing chapter about the Habsburgs, Austria’s former rulers whose hearts rest in a crypt with 54 urns. You’ll also hear about Emperor Joseph II, who closed monasteries, repurposing them for societal benefit, and introduced several other reforms during the Enlightenment era.

Starting in front of Tourist Info Wien, opposite the Monument Against War and Fascism, you’ll embark on this exploration of Vienna’s rich history. From there, you’ll pass by the Albertina Museum, once the Habsburg’s home, on your way to Josephsplatz. There, you’ll see Augustinerkirche (Augustinian Church) which is where the Habsburg weddings and Napoleon’s proxy marriage took place. You’ll also dive into Vienna’s dark past at Hofburg Palace, where the infamous annexation of Austria to the Third Reich (called Anschluss) was announced in 1938. As you make your way through Volksgarten and the Innere Stadt, you’ll learn how, during World War II, locals went from passive citizens to active followers and enforcers of Hitler’s Nazi Party.

Stephan will tell you about Ringstraße, a street with buildings less than 150 years old that replaced the old city wall, and about Vienna’s parliamentary system. On your way to Am Hof and Graben, an important shopping and tourist area in the city center, you’ll see landmarks like the Burgtheater playhouse, Bank Austria Kunstforum Wien cultural center, and the Plague Column, erected in 1670 after a devastating epidemic. The tour ends in front of the impressive and historical St Stephen’s Cathedral which was founded in the mid-1200s.

On this Vienna tour, you’ll

• Learn how Austria became a part of Nazi Germany after the 1938 Vienna bombings by the Allies during WWII
• Discover the degree to which Austria ceased to exist after its annexation and incorporation into Nazi Germany
• Take in the Hofburg, the second largest government building in the EU and the site where the president of Austria has his office
• Get a grasp on the influence the Hapsburg family left on Vienna and why people say that “the Habsburgs don’t rest in peace, they rest in pieces”
• Visit hidden gems like the 300-year-old National Library of Austria to observe its high ceilings and frescoes
• Hear about Princess Elisabeth and the important role she played in striking an agreement with Hungary in 1867 to create the Austro-Hungarian-Empire
• Stand in Heldenplatz, the square in front of the Hofburg Palace, and hear its dark story

By the end of this hour-long tour, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Vienna’s captivating blend of history, culture, and architecture.