First Impressions 11and the creation of the Ringstrasse and many parks and
green areas. Jugendstil left its mark on architecture and art.
Add to this the architecture of Red Vienna, a period noted for
its massive public housing projects, and you have a strange
mixture of styles that can only be Vienna.
Today, Vienna is a curious mix of its imperial past, its ties
with socialism and its modern development. It promotes an
image of emperors and palaces, but that is merely one level
of a highly complex city. We have heard Vienna referred
to as a capital without an empire, and that is true to some
extent. But it remains an elegant and proud city, an integral
member of the international community. Vienna is easily
accessible, enjoyable and safe. For a capital city, its crime
rate is remarkably low. Visitors have commented that Vienna
has all the culture and interests of Paris, but because of its
smaller size, has a cozier atmosphere. It is a city that entices
and enthrals without overwhelming or intimidating.
Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the summer residence of the Habsburgs,
evokes images of imperial Austria.