University of Vienna - The Grand Staircase

The University of Vienna was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world. The main building on Ringstraße was designed by Heinrich von Ferstel. The building has two grand staircases, this one leads to the large ceremonial hall. A monument to Emperor Franz Joseph I, who opened the building in 1884, watches over everything that's going on there...

Happy Birthday, University of Vienna!

This year the University of Vienna celebrates its 650th anniversary. The public university was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world and the third oldest university in Central Europe. This photo shows the main building, designed by Austrian architect Heinrich von Ferstel and opened in 1884.

St. Stephen's Cathedral

St. Stephen's Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. The current Romanesque and Gothic form of the cathedral was largely initiated by Duke Rudolf IV and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches. Currently it is surrounded by one of Vienna's many Christmas markets.