Next year 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the Ringstrasse or Vienna’s famous the Ring considered to be the city’s grand boulevard. This area is actually a loop stretching for three miles. The Viennese even considers the place the world’s biggest open-air museum.
The car-free Ringstrasse area has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It has been closed to traffic to allow people to stroll around the place on foot without having to be bothered by vehicles passing by.
Indeed, it is best to tour the Ringstrasse boulevard by foot to be able to personally experience the attractions close by. Tourist spots within the vicinity include the Kunsthistorisches Museum,
Hofburg Palace complex, the grandest cathedral in Austria which is St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Spanish Riding School, top shops, restaurants and famous cafes.
Then Austrian Emperor Franz Josef ordered the walls surrounding Vienna to be torn down in 1857. In 1865, the Emperor finally opened the Ringstrasse.
Other than walking, touring this boulevard is also possible via the Ringstrasse Tram Tour. This is a hop-on, hop-off sightseeing tram that goes through the entire loop making stops at 13 points. It also has informational video and audio on board.
Vienna is also building a new central rail station, its biggest project so far. This train station will consolidate all its train service throughout Europe.
