Vienna Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Danube Channel

The Danube Channel (Ger. 'der Donaukanal') is an arm of the Danube. The main) Danube River, which tends to flood, gets no closer than the north-eastern suburbs and these are protected by a large flood plain. The Inn, which gives its name to Innsbruck in the Tirol is well to the west.

The Wienzeile is narrow stream in the south and south-western parts of Vienna and flows into the Danube Channel.

Answer: True

Vienna is the only Austrian city-state. Austria, like two of its neighbors - Germany and Switzerland - is a federal republic.

Answer: 1.6 million

The population peaked at just over 2.0 million shortly before 1914, then fell after 1920 with the decline in Austria's international role. In the 1990s it began to rise somewhat again. The figure given is for the city only. If one includes the whole of the built up area, as some sources do, the figure for the late 1990s would be about 2.0 million.

Answer: The Ring

Work on this broad, grandiose and very showy avenue started in 1857 when the fortifications were demolished. The outer earthworks (the glacis, which was about 400 yards wide in places) were levelled off and used for the Ring. Many of the main public buildings, including the City Hall, the main university building, the State Opera House ('Staatsoper') and the Austrian Parliament are situated along the Ring. (The Mariahilfer Strasse is one of the main shopping streets, but not part of the Ring).

Answer: False

Vienna lies in eastern Austria, not far from the borders with Slovakia and Hungary.

Answer: The Hofburg

Although the Hofburg has a medieval core, the predominant style of the palace is baroque. This is also true of those sections added in the 19th and early centuries. Much of the Hofburg is now a museum. (One of the key exhibits is the crown of the Holy Roman Empire). Schloss Belvedere was a gift from the Habsburgs to Prince Eugene of Savoy in recognition of his military services for Austria in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

Answer: Stephansdom

This building with its ornate roof is a popular sight and one of the key landmarks.

Answer: A park with amusements

This park on the southern part of the large island between the Danube and the Danube Channel was once a hunting park belonging to the Emperor, but was opened to the public (in stages) from 1766 onwards. It contains cafés and various amusements, the best known and most prominent being the giant wheel.

Answer: The site of the main camp of the Ottoman Turks in 1683

Vienna was twice besieged unsuccessfully by the Ottoman Turks. The first occasion was in 1529 and the Turks retreated in good order. On the second occasion, in 1683, the Turks suffered a very severe defeat, though the full extent of it not immediately apparent. By 1697 the Austrians had conquered most of Hungary.

Answer: Antisemitism

He was active in urban improvements, but is chiefly known for his rabid antisemitism. He enforced the rigid segregation of the school system into Jewish and Gentile schools. He was probably a key influence on Hitler. It should be added that at the time antisemitism was rife in much of the Danube Basin - from Linz right the way to the Danube Delta.