The marble arch
Carved with human forms rippling like water in reference to The Blue Danube — a detail most visitors miss.
C.Stadler/Bwag — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Dennis G. Jarvis — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Dennis G. Jarvis — CC BY-SA 2.0 · PictureObelix (talk) — CC BY 3.0
A gilded statue of Johann Strauss II, composer of The Blue Danube, playing his violin inside a white marble arch carved with human figures rippling like water. Unveiled in the Stadtpark in 1921, it has since become the most photographed statue in Austria. What few people know is that it was not always gilded: the gold was removed for a period and restored later, which is why old photographs show it in dark bronze. Today it gleams hard in sunlight, which is what makes it visible across the green of the park. The visit is very short — ten minutes and a photograph — but it is a natural stop on any walk along the Ring. Early morning is the best timing: after ten a queue forms around it and an empty shot becomes near impossible.
Carved with human forms rippling like water in reference to The Blue Danube — a detail most visitors miss.
It blazes in afternoon light — the best time for the photo if you don't mind company.
Stadtpark, Vienna
StadtparkThe first public park the city of Vienna opened for its residents, in 1862, afte2 minutes walk4.7
Haus der MusikA museum about sound more than about music: four floors explaining how hearing w5 minutes walk4.7
MAK – Museum of Applied ArtsThe Museum of Applied Arts: founded in 1863 as continental Europe's first design6 minutes walk4.4
Austrian Literature MuseumA museum of the Austrian National Library, opened in 2015 in a historic building6 minutes walk4.4
Mozarthaus ViennaThe only surviving flat among the dozens Mozart moved through in Vienna. He live7 minutes walk4.2No — fold it into passing through the Stadtpark on the Ring. Ten minutes is entirely enough.