Belvedere (in my view, the best photo opportunity). Maria-Theresien-Platz (another big one, sandwiched between two 19th-century museum gems).Freyung (surrounded by historical buildings).Schönbrunn (gorgeous location in front of the Habsburg palace).Karlsplatz (excellent for unusual gifts and unique art).Christkindlmarkt on the Rathausplatz (the most famous).Head north for the Kursalon venue and the famous Johann Strauss statue, west for the Brahms monument on Karlsplatz and the Musikverein building (home venue for the Wiener Philharmoniker orchestra).(The market on Stephansplatz alongside the cathedral) (His thoughts on the choice of music played on the rink remain unknown.) A stony Beethoven, for example, stares across at the skaters from the other side of the road. The neighbouring Konzerthaus reflects the musical flavour of the wider area. The location has recently hosted, for example, training sessions for an ATP 500 tennis tournament, an art fair, and the CEV BeachVolley Nations Cup. You might drop in to the Eislaufverein with no intention of putting on skates or watching others pirouette their way across the ice. Check the official website for up-to-date details on tickets, times, dates etc. For the record, the 22/23 season began on October 22nd and ended on March 5th.Įntrance fees at the counter include concessions for kids, families, etc. I don’t have dates yet for the 23/24 winter season. UNESCO even declared the Viennese tradition of dancing circles around the rink to music part of Austria’s official intangible cultural heritage. The Viennese approach to figure skating (inspired by the American skater Jackson Haines) also played an influential role in moving the sport away from the rigid (British) approach and toward the more fluid, dynamic sport we know today. 182907 excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence) (View over the Eislaufverein toward the Karlskirche church on a postcard from around 1900 published by Carl (Karl) Ledermann jun. It moved to its current home in 1901, which at one point was the largest artificial ice rink in the world. For example, European, World and Olympic figure skating champions have emerged from its midst. The Eislaufverein itself was first established in 1867 and has a prestigious history. However, the area is set to undergo significant development and the surrounds will no doubt change in the coming years.Īll-in-all, then, ice skating here is more practical than fairytale, but still immensely popular with locals: tens of thousands of visitors typically twirl (or stumble) their way around the 6,000m 2 of ice across the season. The rink’s rear also looks fairly non-descript. On one side is the majesty of the famous Konzerthaus concert hall, but the opposite side is the Intercontinental Hotel. I don’t know if his feet ever took a turn on the ice, or if a court official once bore the title, Keeper of the Imperial Skates.ĭespite its closeness to the centre, the rink’s setting is not quite as romantic as you might imagine. That road was named after Franz Stephan von Lothringen, the husband of Empress Maria Theresa. The Eislaufverein’s rink is remarkably close to the city centre, along Lothringerstraße. (Modern entrance to a very traditional activity and setting)
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