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The Giant Ferris Wheel at the Prater
Take a Ride on Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel!
The world keeps turning - and so does the Giant Ferris Wheel in Vienna. For 125 years now, it has been putting visitors young and old under its spell. A ride on the Giant Ferris Wheel is not just a fun adventure, it is an almost meditative experience that reveals fascinating views of Vienna.
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Vienna's Giant Ferris Wheel
During its lifetime, the Giant Ferris Wheel has witnessed many significant events: Built in 1879 to honour the 50th anniversary of emperor Franz Joseph’s ascension to the throne, it was almost completely burnt down in 1944, with only the steel construction surviving the disaster.
Since its re-opening in 1947, it has become one of Vienna’s most popular attractions. Small wonder, since the views from a height of 65 metres (213 feet) are truly spectacular. The “Wurstelprater,” the large fairground where the Ferris Wheel is located, is especially beloved by the Viennese as a fun destination for the entire family, a lively universe of its own where everything glitters, moves and spins.
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Vienna’s „Wurstelprater“
The World’s Fifth Highest Chain Carousel
Soaring through the air in circles at a height of 117 metres (383 feet) is a fun and romantic adventure. As long as you don’t suffer from vertigo.
The Oldest Wood Slide in the World
Put on your burlap sack and off you go: The „Toboggan“ is for history fans who love speed.
Enjoy the Best Roast Pork
Enjoy outdoor seating in the shade of beautiful trees at the Schweizerhaus, where scrumptious ham hocks are the popular house speciality.
The „Wilde Maus“
The “Wild Mouse” is a nostalgic roller coaster with 180 degree turns which delivers adrenaline kicks just like its bigger counterparts.
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Snow Globe Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel media_content.tooltip.skipped![Snow Globes]()
Snow Globes
The famous Viennese Snow Globe was invented by chance. Did you know that the original versions from the year 1900 had semolina as snow?
Snow Globe
Snow Globes
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The Green Prater
Just a few steps away from the Giant Ferris Wheel, one of Vienna’s landmarks, lies a recreational area six square kilometres (2.3 square miles) in size - which is almost twice the size of New York City’s Central Park. The Green Prater’s vast woods and meadows are ideal for taking a stroll or a short hike, with idyllic lakes completing the scenery. At the „Heustadlwasser,'' one can embark on a romantic boat ride. The Prater Hauptallee, a 4,5 kilometre (2.8 miles) long promenade, is lined with 2,500 trees, which looks spectacular in spring when the horse-chestnut trees are in bloom. It leads straight to the Lusthaus: The former hunting pavilion of the emperor is now a Cafe and restaurant, as well as a popular meeting spot among the Viennese.
5 Fun-Facts about the Giant Ferris Wheel
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![How many different „Prater“ does Vienna have?]()
How many different „Prater“ does Vienna have?
There are three: the Wurstelprater, the Green Prater and the Bohemian Prater. The Green Prater lies right next to the Wurstelprater, the Bohemian Prater on the town’s border.
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Kettenkarussell am Riesenradplatz media_content.tooltip.skipped![Where does the Name „Wurstelprater“ come from?]()
Where does the Name „Wurstelprater“ come from?
The fairground is named after „Hanswurst“, a character that used to be popular in old plays. In former times, many popular theatre companies had their performance spaces at the Prater.
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Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater media_content.tooltip.skipped![Gigantic Competition]()
Gigantic Competition
Until the London Eye was built in 1999, the Viennese version was the largest Ferris Wheel in the world. Today, the „Ain Dubai“ occupies the first place.
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Vienna Ferris Wheel at Vienna Prater media_content.tooltip.skipped![A Star on the Big Screen]()
A Star on the Big Screen
A Popular Film Location: Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel played small but significant roles in the film “The Third Man” as well as the James Bond instalment “The Living Daylights.”
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View of Vienna from the Giant Ferris Wheel media_content.tooltip.skipped![Unusual Passenger]()
Unusual Passenger
In 1914, circus director Solange d´Atalide performed a special stunt: she took a ride on the Ferris Wheel, on horseback, on the roof of one of the cars.
How many different „Prater“ does Vienna have?
Watch, be amazed and celebrate
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Height:64,75 m / 212.4 ft.
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Diameter:60,96 m / 200 ft.
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Speed:2,7 km/h / 1.67 m/h
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# of gondolas:15
The Giant Ferris Wheel as Event Location
What many don’t know: Vienna’s Giant Ferris Wheel is an excellent party destination! Whether brunch, lunch, birthday or children’s party, marriage proposal or bachelor party: the special atmosphere above the rooftops of Vienna, with spectacular views of the city, the Green-, and the Wurstelprater, makes the Giant Ferris Wheel the perfect location for all kinds of celebrations.
There are options available ranging from cars furnished in the style of 1897 to a panorama platform with glass floor but without walls and ceiling, as well as private candlelight dinners. No matter what you choose, you’ll create memories that will last a lifetime.
The six most beautiful views of Vienna - aside from the Giant Ferris Wheel
Famous contemporaries of the Vienna Ferris Wheel
Just a short walk away from the Giant Ferris Wheel, you’ll find the impressive Neo-Classicist buildings of Vienna’s Ringstrasse Boulevards - all of which have been built in the same era, the second half of the 19th century. At the time, the new boulevard was a true sensation - Emperor Franz Joseph had it built in place of the old city walls, which had been torn down for the project. With this move, the emperor not only opened the inner city towards what was then the suburbs, he also laid the foundation for some of the most beautiful buildings in Vienna.
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Vienna State Opera media_content.tooltip.skipped![The Vienna State Opera (1869)]()
The Vienna State Opera (1869)
One of the most important international opera houses and always worth a visit. The program features around 60 different operas and ballets each season.
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Vienna Burgtheater in the city of Vienna media_content.tooltip.skipped![Vienna’s Burgtheater (1888)]()
Vienna’s Burgtheater (1888)
Directly opposite the City Hall, the venerable theatre impresses with its imposing, elegant design and the quality of its performances.
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Parliament Vienna media_content.tooltip.skipped![The Austrian Parliament (1883)]()
The Austrian Parliament (1883)
Even though official parliamentary business has been temporarily relocated due to construction, guided tours through the building are still a special experience.
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City Hall in Vienna media_content.tooltip.skipped![Das Wiener Rathaus (1883)]()
Das Wiener Rathaus (1883)
Ob sommerliches Filmfestival oder stimmungsvoller Christkindlmarkt: Das neugotische Bauwerk stellt jederzeit eine beeindruckende Kulisse dar.
Wiener Rathaus
The Vienna State Opera (1869)
Also of Interest
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Hiking on the Loser mountain near Altaussee in Styria media_content.tooltip.skippedAustria’s Best Summit Platforms: Public Screening the Austrian Way
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