History of Vienna Trivia Quiz

Answer: Military base

Vindobona was a military camp conveniently located in the center of Europe and was geographically located near many rival tribes. It was primarily used by the Legio X Gemina or the Twins' Tenth Legion, one of the legions Julius Caesar used to invade Gaul.

Some ancient ruins can still be seen on the streets of Vienna today, including some city walls. However, its location was also detrimental because it left Vindobona exposed to invaders from all sides.

Answer: Battle of Lechfeld

The Battle of Lechfeld was fought near present-day Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany not in or near Vienna. However, the battle was important for Viennese history because for many years prior, the area that is now Austria was invaded constantly and control of the land kept changing between various groups of people. Otto's defeat of the Magyars stabilized the land (though not indefinitely) long enough for Austria to be given to the Babenberg Dynasty, who fostered Vienna's growth.

Answer: Henry II

Henry II was the Duke of Austria from 1140-1156. Prior to this move, the capital of Austria was the small town of Klosterneuburg. When Vienna became the capital, its population and area increased dramatically. Many of Vienna's most famous churches were built soon after the move, including St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Schottenstift monastery.

Answer: A ransom for King Richard the Lionheart

In 1192, Duke Leopold V the Virtuous got wind that King Richard the Lionheart was in the nearby Austrian city of Erdberg during the Third Crusade. The king was captured and ransomed for 50,000 marks, which was paid. The capture of Richard the Lionheart was controversial. Duke Leopold was later excommunicated from the Catholic Church because Richard was on a religious crusade and thus should have been off limits, according to the Pope.

Answer: Habsburg

The Habsburgs ruled Austrian lands from 1278-1780. During that time, especially in the first few centuries, the Habsburgs helped Vienna establish institutions of education and culture, including the University of Vienna. Locally, the Habsburgs helped Vienna stand out from nearby Prague, which was the dominant city in the area.

However, during the beginning of the 15th century, Vienna fell into a period of economic decline when disputes over who were the rightful heirs to various thrones and titles led to revolts among the wealthy and working classes.

Answer: Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn Palace may be the most recognized place in Vienna and all of Austria. The first structure to be built there was a summer home in 1642. The palace and the famous gardens were built later on in 1696. Many historic events have occurred at the Schonbrunn Palace including a concert by Mozart when he was six, the abdication of Emperor Charles I and the end of the monarchy.

Answer: Lipizzaner

The Lipizzaner breed of horse was bred for the Habsburgs. The Spanish Riding School trains the Lipizzaners in classical dressage and the school is considered the best of its kind in the world. Although women were never officially banned from attending, it was not until 2008 when the first women were accepted.

It is called the Spanish Riding School because of the Spanish horses that were used to breed the first Lipizzaners.

Answer: Fidelio

"Fidelio" is the only opera completed by Beethoven. A fragment of another opera called "Vestas Feuer" also exists. The opera follows the story of Florestan, a man imprisoned by a nobleman after trying to expose his crimes. Florestan was played by tenor opera singer Friedrich Christian Demmer.

His wife, Leonore, was played by famous opera singer Anna Milder. The opera was originally called "Leonore" but was changed. "Fidelio" refers to the prison guard alias of Leonore as she tried to break her husband out of prison.

Answer: Severe damage in some spots but the most valuable items were unharmed

Looters had set fire to nearby shops and the wind blew the fire onto the cathedral roof, which collapsed and was destroyed. The Germans, on their exit from Vienna, were ordered to destroy the church but did not do so. Allied bombing hit the cathedral on the same day.

However, most of the treasures inside were saved because of protective walls inside the church. The only significant things that were destroyed beyond repair were the 450-year old choir stalls.

Answer: Rome

Passengers in Vienna were attacked with assault rifles and grenades at the gates to a flight to Tel Aviv. Three people died and 39 were injured. At Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Rome 16 were killed and 99 injured. Originally, the PLO was blamed for the anti-Israel attacks but later the ANO took credit for them.