Giant Ferris Wheel

The Giant Ferris Wheel  (Wiener Riesenrad), one of Vienna's landmarks, is located at the entrance of the Prater amusement park in the 2nd district. It was constructed in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Joseph I and was one of the earliest Ferris wheels ever built. In 1916 a demolition permit was issued, but the Ferris Wheel was saved from destruction due to a lack of money. During World War II it was completely burned down, in 1945 it was rebuilt and two years later taken back into operation.