About Vienna
Vienna is one of the most central cities in Europe, and due to its location has played an important role through many centuries of European History. Known to the Romans as Vindobona, the Hungarians as Bécs, the Slavs as Već, and to all German speakers as Wien, Vienna has always been at the centre of the ambitions of many different empires.
Initially fortified by the Romans, it came under Mongol attack in the 13th century, and Ottoman in the 16th and 17th centuries AD. It has been a capital city since the Austrian Empire and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and today is home to over 1.72 million people.
In 2011 it was ranked sixth on the “Top 25 cities in the world to call home” list, and its city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Vienna is served by Wien Schwechat International Airport which is located around 15 minutes southeast of the city. It has seven main stations with connections to all over Europe including Kiev, Belgrade, Munich and beyond.
It also boasts a well-developed Metro system, as well as a comprehensive network of trams and busses that keep the city moving 24 hours a day.
Vienna 2012 Quicklinks
