Vienna [antikvár]

Getting to know Vienna is certainly one of the most pleasant pastimes that a person travelling in Europe can enjoy. Its many facets, its important sights, its hidden secrets - all comprise Vienna's enchanting atmosphere that visitors find difficult to resist.Due to both its political and geographical position in the heart of Europe, Vienna has been influenced by a wide diversity of factors since its earliest days. Here, ethnical and cultural, political and social streams of thought collided with or melted into one another, disappeared entirely or were carried to the furthest corners of the world. The variety of influences which determined the development of modern Vienna, and the multitude of factors which emitted from this city to influence the world, shall become clearer by taking a closer look at this city's colourful history.Vienna is one of the oldest settlements of the European capital cities. The Celts already resided here centuries before the birth of Christ. In the year 1 AD, the Romans established the fortifications known as "Vindobona", which, until the mighty waves of immigration, continued to play a vital role within the Roman 'Limes' or fortified walls.In the Annals of Salzburg from 881 AD, reference is made of 'Wenia" (the origin of this name, however, is unexplained). The Baben-bergs, the first dynasty to reign over Austria, chose Vienna, which was first deemed 'city' in 1137, as their residence in 1155. During the reigns of Leopold V and Leopold VI, who was also known as 'Leopold the Glorious', Vienna underwent considerable expansion. These activities were financed primarily with the ransom of one million German marks that the English were forced to pay to the Babenbergs for the return of the captured King Richard the Lion-hearted.Soon after the last Babenberg was killed during the battle against the Hungarian Army in1246, Ottocar II Przemysl of Bohemia was given control of Austria, which in turn was violently taken from him by Rudolf I of Hapsburg at the Battle of Durnkrut in 1278. Though the citizens of Vienna, who favoured King Ottocar, were less than enthusiastic about being ruled by the Hapsburgs, the latter reigned for the next 600 years. The city lost almost all of its privileges after the rebellion of 1288.Despite those circumstances, Vienna enjoyed tremendous growth throughout the 14th century, its population amounting to around 40,000 inhabitants. Rudolf IV, the Founder, established the University of Vienna (the oldest university in todays German-speaking territory) and had significant influence on the Gothic-style expansion of Vienna's distinctive landmark, the St. Stephen's Cathedral (the 'Ste-phansdom'). Early in the 16th century, the citizens of Vienna renewed their struggles against the Hapsburg rule; this rebellion was paid for dearly with the lives of five mayors and a significant decrease in the city's political and economic spheres of influence. Under the military leadership of Count Salm, Vienna was victorious in the first defensive battle against the Turkish invaders.At the end of the 16th century, an intense wave of counter-reformationism swept over the people of Vienna, the majority of whom were Protestant in their beliefs. In 1683, Prince Eugene of Savoy, with military support from Bavaria, Saxony and Poland, withstood the second attempt of the Turks to claim Vienna, thus preventing their further advance into the European continent.The baroque construction boom following the liberation from the Turkish oppressors and which took place primarily during the reigns of Emperor Charles VI and Empress Maria Theresia (who commissioned many famous architects such as Lukas von Hildebrandt and the father and son of the Fischer von Erlach family),