War and Reconstruction: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Vienna

Overview

Vienna and its architecture still show the scars of Austria’s past, from its bombing in WWII to Nazi Germany’s annexation of the country. On this self-guided walking tour, you’ll learn about some of this long and complex history, including an intriguing chapter about the Habsburgs, Austria’s former rulers whose hearts rest in a crypt with 54 urns. In Josephsplatz, you’ll see Augustinerkirche which is where the Habsburg weddings and Napoleon’s proxy marriage took place. You’ll also dive into Vienna’s dark past at Hofburg Palace, where the infamous annexation of Austria to the Third Reich was announced in 1938. As you make your way through Volksgarten and the Innere Stadt, you’ll learn how, during World War II, locals went from passive citizens to active followers and enforcers of Hitler’s Nazi Party. By the end of this hour-long tour, you’ll have a deeper understanding of Vienna’s captivating blend of history, culture, and architecture.