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TheStadtpark (German:[ˈʃtatˌpaʁk]ⓘ,City Park) inVienna, Austria is a large municipal park that extends from theRingstraße in theInnere Stadt first district up to the Heumarkt (Hay Market) in theLandstraße third district. The park is divided in two sections by theWienfluss (Vienna River), and has a total surface area of 65,000 square metres (28 acres). Scattered throughout the park are statues of famous Viennese artists, writers, and composers, includingHans Canon,Emil Jakob Schindler,Johann Strauss II,Franz Schubert, andAnton Bruckner. The opulent Kursalon building on Johannesgasse, with its broad terrace that reaches into the park, is the site of popular waltz concerts.
Even as early as in theBiedermeier period, theglacis before theKarolinenstadttor (Caroline City Gate) was a popular site of entertainment. During the demolition of thecity walls and the creation of the ViennaRingstraße in its place, themayor at that time,Andreas Zelinka, promoted the project of creating a public park on the territory. The park was designed in the style ofEnglish gardens by the landscape painterJosef Selleny, while the plans were made by the city gardenerRudolf Siebeck. On 21 August 1862 the park was opened, becoming the first public park in Vienna.
On the southern shore of theWienfluß, the so-calledKinderpark (Children's park) was created in 1863, which is today still used mainly as aplayground and forsports. TheKarolinenbrücke (Caroline Bridge), which was built in 1857 (since 1918 it is known asStadtparkbrücke - City Park Bridge) connects it to the Stadtpark proper on the northern side of the river.
After theregulation of the Wienfluss, the whole river area was rebuilt byFriedrich Ohmann andJosef Hackhofer between 1903 and 1907, with a gate out of which the river flows,pavilions and stairs to its shorts. The architecture, together with theU-Bahn station byOtto Wagner, is among the sights of the park.
At the water glacis, a spa pavilion was built, in whichmineral water with healing properties was served. The current Kursalon building was built between 1865 and 1867 according to plans ofJohann Garben. The opulent building in thehistoricist style of theItalianrenaissance is located next to theJohannesgasse. A wide terrace reaching into the park is attached to it.
After it was opened on 8 May 1867 amusements were originally prohibited. However, since that concept was not accepted, it was changed, andJohann Strauss II gave his first concert here on 15 October 1868. The Kursalon thus became a popular place forconcerts and fordancing, especially during the era of theStrauss brothers. Today, after undergoing some renovation, it is still used forballs, concerts,nightclub events andcongresses. There is also aCafé-Restaurant inside it.
Thegildedbronzemonument ofJohann Strauß II, is one of the most known and most frequently photographed monuments in Vienna. It was unveiled to the public on 26 June 1921 and is framed by amarblerelief made byEdmund Hellmer. The gilding was removed in 1935 and laid on again only in 1991.
There are several other monuments, e.g. ofFranz Schubert,Franz Lehár,Robert Stolz andHans Makart; theStadtpark is the park with the largest number of monuments and sculptures in Vienna.
The former milk drinking hall was erected as part of the installations surrounding the Wienfluß according to plans of Friedrich Ohmann and Josef Hackhofer during the years of 1901 to 1903. After suffering heavy damage duringWorld War II, the building was extended during reconstruction. Today, with another annex having been built, there is a restaurant in theMeierei.
Theflora in the park is characterized by a wide range of species, planted to bloom in all seasons. A parkway bordering the Ringstraße reduces the impact of noise and emission on the park. Some groves arenatural protection zones, includingginkgo,honey locust,Pyramid Poplar, andCaucasian wingnut.
48°12′17″N16°22′50″E / 48.20472°N 16.38056°E /48.20472; 16.38056