Lesson 6.06 Austrian Culture

Read more about the Austrian Flag.

The capital city of Austria is Vienna (Wien in German). It is both the political and cultural center of the country. This beautiful city straddling the Danube River is one of the most famous in Europe.

Founded in 500 BC, it became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire in the Middle Ages, and was later the seat of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Vienna has long been celebrated for its rich culture in classical music and theater, as well as its famous Vienna Boys' Choir, Lipizzaner Stallions and delicacies like Wiener Schnitzel and Sachertorte.

Listen to the Vienna Boys' Choir singing The Blue Danube:

View the video (1:47) and read about the Lipizzaner Stallions:

PBS - Legendary White Stallions

The monument to Johann Strauß, Jr. (pictured on the left) is probably the most photographed object in Vienna. Strauß was born in 1825. Although he had been secretly playing and composing for several years, Strauß began performing at age 19, and his music was immediately a hit.

His father (the original "Waltz King" of Vienna) was furious, but Johann, Jr. continued to compose and perform. He gave concerts in Germany, Russia, London, Paris, and even Boston. Although Strauß is best known for his waltzes ("The Blue Danube," "Tales of the Vienna Woods," and many more), he is also remembered for his Operetta "Die Fledermaus."