Volksgarten, which means 'people's park' in German, is one of the most iconic places in the Austrian capital, a magnet for international tourists and particularly popular with locals. Ornate alleyways lined with mature shade trees, manicured flower beds and lawns, numerous monuments and fountains, and secluded benches for quiet moments of relaxation — this is the Volksgarten, a park that leaves nothing but positive impressions on visitors of all ages. And, of course, people come here with their children to relax in all sorts of active ways.
History of the park
The park is a man-made, picturesque piece of nature in the historic centre of Vienna, close to the centuries-old Hofburg Palace. The park was laid out on the site of defensive structures razed to the ground by countless legions of Napoleon's troops.
At one end of the majestic garden is Heroes' Square, at the other you can forget the hustle and bustle of the city and lose yourself in peace and tranquillity. Originally a small park used by the Archduke's family since 1817, it was opened to the public six years later, after being redesigned by the garden architect Ludwig Remy, although it still had a restricted, pay-and-display section reserved for the nobility. The enclosed area was called the Aristocrats' Corner, where an enchanting atmosphere was maintained for meetings of the aristocracy.
Nowadays, the Volksgarten in Vienna is open every day and entry to the park is free. Walking through the park you will see tourists from all over the world, but of course most of the visitors are Austrians who proudly consider this place to be the heart of Vienna.
Park Attractions
The Volksgarten is a wonderful place for a quiet holiday or a family outing. Be sure to bring your camera as this is the only place where you can take hundreds of great photos of unique plants or sights.
It's hard to pick just one attraction, because at every turn you'll come across something that is truly breathtaking. Take the rose garden, for example. There are many beds of roses in the park, each with a plaque explaining its name and characteristics.
Some of the roses are as tall as a man and have become popular subjects for family photographs. A leisurely stroll through the park will take you past hundreds of roses in every imaginable colour and give you a taste of what a real rose garden is all about.
The next attraction is an unexpected piece of ancient Greece. It is a miniature replica of the Temple of Theseus, which regularly hosts contemporary art exhibitions. The temple was planned by Napoleon Bonaparte, but by the time it was finished, the owner himself had 'cooled off', lost power and was in exile. In any case, astonished visitors don't just walk past the building and stop for a commemorative photo.
As you go deeper into the park, there are ponds with pools and, of course, fountains. There are two fountains in the park, both over 100 years old.
The fountains are beautifully named 'Triton' and 'Nymph' and are decorated with bronze sculptures. You can see ducks splashing in these ancient fountains, as well as lilies blooming and reeds growing, and the fountain looks like a giant fruit bowl.
At first glance, the People's Park looks a bit rundown, but that's only at first glance. The apparent desolation is an idea of the park's caretakers, an impression reinforced by fragments of green bronze, resting migratory birds and natural bodies of water.
One of the most important monuments in the park, although tucked away in a secluded corner, is the white marble monument to Empress Elisabeth of Bavaria.
The beautiful empress rests on a pedestal in the form of a bench, separated from the strolling guests by a pool and a beautiful flower garden. The empress, who was often called Sissi in her native tongue, looks sadly towards the Temple of Theseus. This is no coincidence, for it was a way of expressing her longing for Greece, which Elisabeth loved so much.
Of course, the park is not only a great place to spend the day, but also at night. There's a nightclub called the Volksgarten.
It used to be a venue for various concerts, but today's society demands a development that the Volksgarten nightclub provides. At night, young people from all over the city gather here to dance and socialise, while during the day the club serves refreshments.
