What you absolutely mustn’t miss in Vienna’s 9th district
Anyone interested in art and architecture should definitely visit the Liechtenstein Garden Palace on Fürstengasse.
The Ninth District is the district of the university, doctors and palaces — and one best explored on foot. From Fürstengasse to the Gürtel, art, history, good food and one of Europe’s largest cultural centres are all just a few minutes’ walk apart.
Art at the Gartenpalais
Anyone interested in art and architecture should definitely visit the Liechtenstein Garden Palace on Fürstengasse. The owners have been collecting works of art from all over the world for over five centuries, and their collection is now regarded as one of the most significant in the world. Also well worth a visit is the Baroque garden, spread over around five hectares, which is the perfect spot to enjoy a little time together. Anyone who has visited Schönbrunn will probably think that a visit to the Liechtenstein Garden Palace is unnecessary. But the Liechtenstein Garden Palace has its own unique charm and is definitely worth a visit. What’s more, you’ll come across fewer tourists. Promise!
Meals with a purpose: right at the heart of it
‘mittendrin’ is the name of the café on Währinger Straße, founded by the VinziRast community. VinziRast is an independent organisation that offers homeless people not just a place to sleep, but a real home — a place of relaxation and security. Through the restaurant, VinziRast provides some of its guests with permanent employment. Furthermore, the net profit goes to the St. Stephan Vincentian Community, the organisation that runs the VinziRast facilities. By the way: the food is absolutely delicious and good value for money. A project that deserves every bit of support!
Little Paris: the Servite Quarter
The Servitenviertel stretches between Währinger Straße, Schottenring and Rossauer Lände. In this picturesque neighbourhood, trendy bars, outdoor dining areas and artisan shops blend seamlessly into one another. The Servitenviertel is often dubbed ‘Little Paris’ — we think this description is spot on! But it’s not just foodies who’ll find something to their liking. Culturally, the neighbourhood has plenty to offer, such as the Servitenkirche, which is of great art-historical significance, or Vienna’s oldest surviving cemetery, the Jewish cemetery on Seegasse. So, next time you’re planning a stroll, do think of the Servitenviertel!
The History of Medicine at the Narrenturm
On the university campus in Spitalgasse stands the so-called Narrenturm — named after its shape and its former function. The tower was built in the 18th century as the first psychiatric hospital in continental Europe. Today, it houses the pathological-anatomical collection of the Natural History Museum. But be warned: the exhibition is not for the faint-hearted! You’ll learn about the treatment methods used at the time for various illnesses and about the fates of the people whose body parts now serve as teaching and study materials. Those who aren’t too squeamish can look forward to a fascinating journey through the history of medicine.
Pure culture at the WUK
The Werkstätten- und Kulturhaus (WUK) offers culture in its purest form — and in abundance. With a floor area of over 12,000 square metres, the former locomotive factory is one of Europe’s largest cultural venues. Here you’ll find absolutely everything a culture lover could wish for: live concerts, exhibitions, dance and theatre performances, and DJ sets. The range of events is vast. In summer, the on-site pub with its leafy outdoor seating area also attracts plenty of thirsty visitors to the WUK. But whatever the season, we reckon the WUK is always worth a visit!
Living in the Ninth
Alsergrund is a district where the university, hospitals and Gründerzeit architecture come together — with well-maintained flats in period buildings, short journeys into the city centre and a community that’s here to stay. Anyone looking for a flat here should check out the buildings around the Servitenviertel and the Strudlhofstiege. Fancy finding out more? Next time on our district tour, we’ll be heading to Vienna’s 2nd district!
