Vienna is the capital and largest city of Austria, and one of the nine states of Austria. The capital is famous for its cultural events, imperial sights, coffee houses, cosy wine taverns, and the very special Viennese charm. Vienna’s history dates back to the first post-Christian century when the Romans established the military camp Vindobona.
Schönbrunn Palace, the former imperial summer residence, is one of Vienna's most popular sights. The sumptuous palace with its beautifully tended formal gardens, the Gloriette monument, Palm House and zoo attracts hordes of visitors each year. Then there is the huge Hofburg (Imperial Palace), which was the base of the Habsburgs for over six centuries.
Vienna has more museums and galleries of international reputation than you can shake a stick at. Take, for example, the Museum of Fine Arts with the world’s largest collection of Bruegel paintings, MuseumsQuartier with the Leopold Museum, the Museum Moderner Kunst (Museum of Modern Art), Architekturzentrum (Architectural Center) and the Kunsthalle, all ranking among the city's most important cultural venues.
