Today, I visited Vienna, Austria. Since I knew previously that Vienna had tons of history behind it, I decided to stay at my hotel and read up online about Vienna.
Originally a Celtic settlement, Vienna became an important Roman military and commercial center. After the Romans withdrew in the late 4th century, it rapidly changed rulers among the invaders who overran the region. Several decades passed before Henry Jasomirgott, first duke of Austria, moved his residence to the town, made it capital of the duchy, and erected a castle, Am Hof.
The town was then ruled by Ottocar II of Bohemia, who conquered Austria in 1251. In 1282, Vienna became the official replace of the house of Hapsburg. The city was occupied by Matthias Corvinus of Hungary and was besieged by the Turks for the first time in 1529. In the horrible second siege in 1683 by the Turks under their leader Mustafa and their Hungarian allies under their leader Thokoly, the city, defended by Ernst von Starhemberg, was on the verge of starvation when it was saved by John Sobieski of Poland.
Early in the 18th century a new circle of fortifications was built around the city, and many beautiful buildings were created. Bernhard Fischer von Elrac drew up new plans for the Hofburg (the imperial residence) and built the beautiful Karlskirche; Johann von Hildebrandt designed St. Peter's Church, the Belvedere (summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy), and the Kinsky Palace; together they planned the Schwarzenburg Palace and the winter residence of Prince Eugene. Empress Maria Theresa made the old university, founded in 1365, bigger and completed the royal summer palace of Schonbrunn, started by her father, Charles.
Joseph II opened the Prater, a large imperial garden, which now contains an amusement park, to the public. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert lived in Vienna and gave it lasting glory.
In 1805 and 1809, Vienna was occupied by Napoleon. In the early 19th century Vienna was famous for the waltzes of Joseph Lanner and the Strauss family, and for the farces of Nestroy, the comedies of Raimund, and the tragic dramas of Grillparzer. Many theatrical acts came and went and still form in Vienna. (Needless to say there is a cookie called the Vienna Finger. That is totally aside from the fact, I just thought it was cool.)
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