This little green oasis in the second district indeed offers a weird mixture. As you pass the old walls surrounding the pretty baroque park, you’ll soon notice one of the two so called “Flaktürme” – huge towering bunkers.

These towers were military defense towers in the 40′s and as they can’t be destroyed, they are still some bleak (but important) reminders of the second world war. Nowadays the park is used by joggers, couples, families and dog owners in need for a walk.

Everybody who wants to relax, do some exercise or get some fresh air, will be happy here. And this is already possible since 1775!! The garden is baroque, so there are plenty of cut bushes, trees and hedges which come along with carefully decorated flowerbeds. That’s the reason why there were times when it was neither for men or animals allowed to step on the lawn. But as you will notice: the need for green space and relaxation is stronger, so in summer time you see picnickers, hammocks strung up between the trees and football players.

There is even more to be found in the park: the boarding school of the famous Wiener Sängerknaben, the Porzellanmanufaktur, the art gallery Augarten Contemporary and also a nice cafe called Augarten Atelier. Check the Belvedere website for more info. 

Well Vienna has to offer a lot of architecture and usually people think of all the Imperial Palaces. It’s nice, it’s beautiful, but believe me if you live in an imperial city it gets boring.

Instead it’s very interesting what’s going on with Vienna’s modern architecture. They are currently constructing and extending the underground line U2. Around it they are creating completely new neighborhoods.

Such as the VIERTEL ZWEI: a completely new area, full of interesting modern architecture. It’s mainly an office area, with the seats of some big multinationals. The buildings are designed by different architects, and even though matching perfect. A large lake builds the center and holds together the different buildings. And yes, it’s allowed to put your feet into the water after a long walk, or in their case a long working day.

Everything is so new, that it actually seems fake. The green hills seem like pillows, and they grass is really soft (try it, even if though it’s not allowed!).

A beautiful fake world of modern architecture worth exploring!

How to arrive: U2: KRIEAU

Quite unusual that the incinerator of the city can be a nice thing to look at, but in fact the incinerator building and tower are one of the city landmarks. When you first look at it you will probably think you are looking at an art gallery or a museum due to its colorful appearance but it is an operating incinerator and heating plant.

The building has a very funny outlook something like in between a building and a living sculpture with golden balls on every corner! It has some small windows encircled by bright colors. Irregularly you can see also some openings (kind of balconies) from where trees grow out of the building and the huge chimney tower which culminates with an enormous shiny golden ball. The explanation is that the architect and artist who designed the external facade was the famous painter and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The building reflects his concerns for life and his attempts for a waste-free society as well as for architecture in harmony with the nature.

It is located near the Danube channel (Donaukanal) and quite near the city centre. Just out of the Metro station Spittelau lines U4 and U6. You can also walk along the channel and do all way around the building, following one of the many bridges of this area. If you have interest in architecture you will also see the Zaha Hadid building about 100 meters away.