Visitors to Vienna might think this as a name for a club or a place for hip parties but it is actually the hub for radio broadcasting in the city. Located in Wieden, the Art Deco building (also referred to as Radiokulturhaus) is home to the Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra, the radio orchestra of Osterreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) and the only one of its kind in the country. It also houses the radio stations of ORF namely the indie station FM4, Vienna, and its culture and education channel O1. It also has the TV studio Vienna Today, the Radio News Center and some of ORF’s regional radio programmes.
It suffered heavy damage during the Nazi invasion in 1945 and had to be transferred to the Empire transmitter Vienna in Mount Bisamberg. After World War II, it started transmission again and was extensively rehabilitated between 1979 and 1983. In 1999, it was listed in the protected buildings of Vienna thereby preserving its place in the architectural history of the city.
Today, Funkhaus is also being used as a concert and culture hall where over 500 events are held every year, from live music performances, opera and jazz workshops to literary discussions and even singing competitions such as the Eurovision. Art exhibitions are also on display at the foyer of the large auditorium showcasing contemporary artists. Guided backstage tours are also available where visitors can learn more about the history of the building, the broadcasting equipment used through the decades and meeting some of the radio personalities. There is also a coffee shop and a gift shop in the building.
