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Vienna, Austria
Ancient Charm, Inspirational Architecture
By Megan L. Fowler
Position yourself in the gray cobblestone square between St. Stephen's Cathedral, an imposingly Gothic stone structure, and the Haas Haus, a commercial retail high-rise robed with modernized mirror-shingles, and you'll find yourself astonished by the marvel of their presence. And while these two structures have been at the center of much social controversy – one originally built in 1147 to house a bishop and the other built by Pritzker Prize-winner Hans Hollein between 1987 and 1990 – you can't help but surrender yourself to their beauty.
In this city's core, the old and the new collide, complement and define life as it was and as it will be. This is Vienna: a city of architectural tradition meshed with architectural advancement.
After winning the crown of the Holy Roman Empire in 1273, the Hapsburgs ruled Austria for more than 640 years. A peaceful dynasty, the Hapsburgs preferred expanding their territories through marriage rather than war. As a result, much of their time was spent nurturing cultural and intellectual life and constructing elaborate palaces and grand promenades for their decorative processions. Vienna, chosen as the cornerstone of their empire, became a city rich in art, architecture, literature and music.
