Overview:

: Wiener Riesenrad (English: Giant Wheel of Vienna) is a Ferris wheel located at the Prater amusement park in Vienna, Austria. It is one of the oldest surviving Ferris wheels in the world, having been constructed in 1897. At 65 m (213 ft) in height, Wiener Riesenrad is one of the tallest wheels in Europe. The wheel is one of Vienna's most popular tourist attractions, with over 2 million visitors riding it each year. It also serves as an important landmark of the city, with its distinctive profile featured prominently in many travel guides and postcards. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Austria
Prominent Features:

1. Ferris wheel: The Wiener Riesenrad, which translates to Vienna Giant Wheel, is a historic Ferris wheel located in Vienna, Austria. It was built in 1897 and is considered to be among the oldest Ferris wheels in the world. 2. Location: The Ferris wheel is located in the Prater amusement park, in the city of Vienna, the capital of Austria. It can be seen from the Wurstelprater station on the Vienna Metro. 3. Historical significance: The Wiener Riesenrad was built as part of the Vienna International Exposition of 1897, and has become an iconic symbol of Vienna. It survived the Allied bombing campaigns of World War II and is now a popular tourist attraction. 4. Ride experience: The Wiener Riesenrad consists of 30 gondolas and is 66 meters (217 ft.) tall. It takes about 15 minutes to make a full rotation, providing passengers incredible views of Vienna and the nearby Danube River. 5. Special events: The Wiener Riesenrad is also used for a variety of special events. For example, it is often the site of special light shows for the city's numerous festivals. In 2019, the wheel was illuminated in pink and blue to celebrate the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Austria.

History:

The Wiener Riesenrad, or the Vienna Giant Wheel, is one of the most iconic attractions in Vienna, Austria. It is a Ferris wheel, or “observation wheel”, located at the entrance to the Prater amusement park in Vienna. Built in 1897, it is considered one of the oldest operating Ferris wheels in the world. Its design is based on the original Grand Eiffel Wheel in Paris, France, and it has been operating continuously since its opening day. Construction of the Wiener Riesenrad began in July 1896. The wheel was designed and manufactured by the German engineer Walter Bassler, who based the design on the Grand Eiffel Wheel in Paris. It took nearly one year for the construction to be completed, and it was opened to the public in April 1897 during the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Austrian Empire. The wheel has had its fair share of difficulties and disasters over the years. In World War I, much of the surrounding area of Vienna was destroyed, leaving the Wiener Riesenrad standing in the center of the ruins. In World War II, the wheel was attacked by American bomber planes, but the wheel managed to remain standing. In 1945, the wheel was destroyed by fire and reconstruction began in 1947, taking almost 3 years to complete. Since its opening day, the Wiener Riesenrad has become one of the most beloved attractions of Vienna and a symbol of the city itself. Millions of visitors annually come to ride the wheel and take in the beautiful views of Vienna. In its more than 120 years of operation, it has become an integral part of the culture of the city. Visit one of the famous monuments of Austria with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Wiener Riesenrad is a ferris wheel in the Prater amusement park in Vienna, Austria. It is a reconstruction of the original ferris wheel, which was inaugurated in 1896. 2. The Wiener Riesenrad stands at a height of almost 64 metres and has a diameter of almost 66 metres. 3. The original wheel had 30 gondolas, but the current one has been upgraded to 42 gondolas, all of which are climate-controlled. 4. The Wiener Riesenrad was featured in Stanley Kubrick’s 1969 film “A Clockwork Orange". 5. The wheel was severely damaged during an allied bombing raid in 1945, but was reconstructed in 1947 and reopened in 1948. 6. Every year, on the first weekend of August, the Wiener Riesenrad is illuminated in a spectacular fireworks display. 7. In 2009, the Riesenrad celebrated its 113th anniversary. One of the historical monuments of Austria, it tells the story of a bygone era