Vienna, First District: The "Innere Stadt", Part I

Vienna′s first district is called "Innere Stadt", which means "Inner City" and is quite self-explanatory. It is not only the most central of all districts and the legislative focal point of Vienna, it is also the
historic core of the city. In fact, until the demolition of the town walls took place in the 19th century, the area that is the first district today was the walled part of Vienna and the modern
districts 1 to 9 were suburbs. Even now that most of these suburbs are densely populated and occupy pretty central parts of Vienna, they are still called the "Vorstädte" ("suburbs"). Back to the Inner City…

It is framed by the Ringstraße, which follows the course of the old town walls. Of all districts in Vienna, the first is the oldest and the only one with noteworthy
medieval buildings. It also concentrates the vast majority of all sightseeing attractions of Vienna: Museums, palaces, churches - you name it. If it isn′t in the first district, it is likely to be by or near the Ringstraße and thus in walking distance to the first. Therefore, the first district is also the most
touristy - in fact, visitors that stay for only a day or a weekend in Vienna are likely to spend all their time here.

Facing the crowds of tourists, it is easy to miss that the first district is also Austria′s most important
administrative, political and to an extent economic centre. Here you find not only the
houses of parliament, the city hall of Vienna and the administration of various Viennese and international organisations, but also the headquarters of many international
corporations.

Social implications of Life in the First District of Vienna

For lots of them, an office in the prestigious first district is necessary to have for the letterheads. Speaking of prestige: The first district has a population of a mere
17,000, with a high percentage of foreigners. Yet Viennese consider an address from the first district
to be equivalent with an academic degree or a noble name.

In terms of sightseeing, it is difficult to make a start - the Stephansdom cathedral is the natural focal point,
with the Erzbischöfliches
Palais right next to it. From here, you can either stroll towards the rather shabby
Schwedenplatz area and Donaukanal, which was hit badly by bomb raids during WWII and was rebuilt in concrete ugliness after the war.

Or you move towards the
Jesuit Church, stroll around the Medieval parts of the former
University District and enjoy the many small bars and restaurants in this area. It is among
my favourite areas in Vienna, with cosy cafes and the only parts in the first district, where neither tourists nor shopping-mad crowds get to. At least not in large numbers.
Note also the Franziskanerkirche and
Stadtpalais Prinz Eugen.