Austria history
The beautiful mountains and valleys of Austria have long kept the many secrets of this country’s expansive history. The rulers and inhabitants of Austria date back hundreds of centuries. Austria holds within its borders many diverse cultures, ethnicities, and one of Europe’s richest histories.
Quick fact!
Dating back to 1191, the Austrian flag is one of the oldest national flags in the world.
1792 – 1815
The turn of the 19th century brought with it a period of war in Austria. The Napoleonic Wars between 1792-1815 saw Austria’s lands divided amongst French, Italian, and Russian powers. As Napoleon gained power after the French Revolution, King Francis II declared himself the Emperor of Austria and the Holy Roman Emperor. His reign as Emperor was short-lived however as Napoleon defeated Austrian and Russian forces and marched into Vienna. Francis renounced the imperial crown in 1806, and the many years of war after saw Austria become a principality of the French Empire. It wasn’t until the defeat of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna in 1815 that restored the Austrian Empire and the German Confederation.
1816 – 1918
Under the reign of Prince Metternich and Emperor Ferdinand I, Austria was ruled by censorship and force for over thirty years. The Revolutions of 1848 brought Franz Joseph to power and a rise of industrialization. Austria-Hungary maintained a dual monarchy from 1867 until 1918.
Although foreign and political policies were highly opposed, the arts flourished under Franz Joseph’s reign. Ludwig van Beethoven, Anton Bruckner, and many other artists and musicians frequented the halls of Vienna. Austria remained fruitful in the arts and politics until 1914 with the assassination of Franz Joseph’s heir Franz Ferdinand and the beginning of World War I. The Central Powers, including Austria-Hungary, were defeated by the Allied Powers in 1918, and the Austria-Hungary Empire was dissolved.
Quick fact!
The oldest zoo in the world is in Vienna, which was founded in 1752.
1918 – present
Austria’s First Republic was formed in 1918. The First World War created tension in Austria as the country declared itself a part of the German Republic. The Austrian people suffered through years of turmoil, extreme government changes, and the slow rise of fascism within the country. The majority of Austrians supported Germany’s new leader, Austrian born Adolf Hitler, and as German troops marched into Austria in 1938, they did so with great ease.
Because of Austria’s absorption into the Third Reich, it no longer existed as an independent nation. Concentrations camps were filled, heinous acts of violence, and the Second World War raged throughout Austria. The end of the war in 1945 left Austria under Allied control until 1946, when the newly appointed Austrian Government was allowed to create policies. Because of the German occupation, Austria was treated by the Allied Powers as an ally rather than an enemy, and the Second Republic of Austria was established.
Since the end of the Second World War, Austria has flourished as a democratic republic. Despite the governmental collapses of 2002 and 2008 over party disagreements, the Austrian government is extremely efficient. Austria is a member of the EU, and currently uses the Euro as its currency. Modern day Austria is a beautiful nation fueled by a flourishing economy and tourism. Austria’s people have endured, and Austrian culture and tradition thrives.
Austrian language and culture
Culture of Austria
As most of Austria’s terrain is mountainous due to its close proximity to the Alps, many tourists choose to visit the country during winter holidays. The high number of well-organized ski resorts, as well as the variety of cultural events and Vienna’s vibrant nightlife make Austria a fantastic tourist destination at any time of the year.
Music
Vienna is the place where many 19th century composers found their inspiration, recognition and success, which is why the city is considered to be the European capital of classical music. Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert are only a few of the composers associated with the musical innovation and cultural flourishing of that time. Austria is also the home country of yodeling, a type of singing characterized by rapid changes of register. Yodeling was first developed in the Austrian Alps during the 16th century.
Sport
Skiing, snowboarding and ski jumping are popular thanks to Austria’s mountainous terrain and temperate climate. Innsbruck (which hosted the 1964 and 1976 editions of the Winter Olympics) is a popular tourist destination during the winter months. Moreover, Austria won five gold medals in the World Ski Championships held in Oslo in 2011. Apart from winter sports, there are a few other popular sports like football, ice hockey and basketball.
Art and architecture
The Leopold Museum in Vienna showcases renowned Austrian paintings of the 19th and 20th century, including works of the famous painter Egon Schiele (currently the biggest collection worldwide). Visit the Gallery Belvedere Vienna and admire the artworks of Gustav Klimt and Oskar Kokoscha, along with the masterpieces of French impressionist painters Renoir and Monet.
The Austrian state of Vorarlberg is the starting point of modern architecture in the Alps, while the Innsbruck city center features a variety of architectural styles, including Baroque, Gothic and Renaissance.
Cuisine
Italy, Hungary and Germany have influenced the Austrian cuisine, along with the traditional recipes of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. Although Austrian cooking is characterized by unique regional variations, it is usually associated with the Viennese cuisine.
Pastries (e.g. Apfelstrudel, Topfenstrudel) are a well-known traditional dish, both locally and worldwide. Other representative dishes include Viennese crêpes, Sachertorte (traditional chocolate cake), beef soup, Tafelspitz (boiled beef with apple sauce), Gulasch, Liptauer cheese, and meat with Sauerkraut and dumplings (also known as Selchfleisch).
Festivals and traditions
The Glöcklerlauf Procession takes place every year on the 5th of January, when groups of men dressed in traditional costumes (tracht) tour their villages hoping to attract good luck for the following year. Fasching (Fastnacht, Carnival) is an ancient tradition held between Epiphany and Lent, followed up by Easter celebrations.
Languages of Austria
German is the unifying language of Austria and the official language used in schools and the media. The regional languages used are Alemannic spoken in Vorarlberg and Austro-Bavarian spoken in the rest of Austria.
The minority languages are Serbian, Turkish and Burgenland Croatian. Each of these languages is used by between 2.3 and 2.5% of the population. Other minority languages are Hungarian and Slovene.
Basic German words and phrases
Hello – Hallo (Informal) / Guten Tag (Formal greeting in daytime)
Goodbye – Auf Wiedersehen
Please – Bitte
Thank-you – Danke
My name is… – Ich heisse…
Where is…? – Wo ist…?
I would like – Ich möchte
I don’t speak German – Ich spreche kein Deutsch
Austria weather
The Austrian climate comprises both humid continental and oceanic influences, although the country is located in a temperate climatic zone. Most tourists plan their trip anytime between April and October, with the peak holiday season spreading throughout July and August. However, Austria is one of the most popular destinations for ski holidays, and the December-March interval is the best time to plan one.
Spring in Austria
The average temperature stands at 1o°C during daytime, followed by a drop of 5 to 8°C after sunset. Even if the Austrian weather isn’t that unpredictable in spring, it wouldn’t hurt to pack an umbrella along with a long sleeve shirt and a coat. Rainfall is unlikely to be heavy, if any at all.
Summer in Austria
Summer temperatures range between 18°C to 24°C and may get to 30°C in July, which is the hottest month of the year. Bringing your umbrella is a must if you’re travelling to Austria in July, when rainfalls and summer storms are quite frequent. Austria is very sunny during this season, particularly in July and August.
Autumn in Austria
September and October are a great time to explore Austria and take part in the numerous festivals in the capital and across the country. The weather is mild, with constant temperatures (10°C) and frequent precipitation. Pack an umbrella, long sleeve shirts and a coat.
Winter in Austria
Austrian Winters are quite harsh for a temperate climatic zone, with temperatures often dropping below freezing point and maximums rarely exceeding 7°C. Vienna doesn’t get much sun in winter (an average of two hours a day), so be sure to pack a thick overcoat, boots and warm sweaters. The best part about heavy snowfalls is all the fun you’ll have skiing on the following day.
Average temperatures in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz
Average rainfall in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz
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