Editing Vienna (section)

== Nature ==

=== Parks ===
[[File:Wien 01 Burggarten j.jpg|thumb|The Burggarten, facing the back of the Hofburg.]]
On the southeastern outer border of the Ringstraße lies the [[Stadtpark, Vienna|Stadtpark]]. The park covers an area of about 28 acres and is split in half by the river [[Wien (river)|Wien]]. It contains monuments to various Viennese artists, most notably the [[gilded]] [[bronze]] monument of [[Johann Strauß II]].<ref name="The Prater: amusement park">{{Cite web |title=The Prater: amusement park |url=https://www.visitingvienna.com/entertainment/wurstelprater-amusement-park/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.visitingvienna.com }}</ref> On the other side of the Ring is the [[Burggarten]], just behind the Hofburg, which features a [[Mozart Monument, Vienna|monument to Mozart]] as well as a [[Palmenhaus (Burggarten)|greenhouse]]. On the other side of the Hofburg is the [[Volksgarten, Vienna|Volksgarten]], home to a small-scale replica of the [[Temple of Hephaestus]] and a cultivated flower garden. On the other side of the road, in front of the Rathaus, is the [[Rathauspark]], which hosts the Christmas Christkindlmarkt.
[[File:Liliputbahn autune.JPG|thumb|Locomotive D4 of the [[Prater Liliputbahn]]]]
The [[Prater]] is a large public park in [[Leopoldstadt]]. Within the park is the [[Wurstelprater]] (colloquially known as “the Prater”), a public amusement park that contains the [[Wiener Riesenrad]], a 64.75 meter tall [[Ferris wheel|Ferris Wheel]], along with various rides, roller coasters, carousels and a [[Madame Tussauds Vienna|Madame Tussauds]].<ref name="The Prater: amusement park"/> The rest of the park is covered by forest. The ''Hauptallee'', a wide, car-free alley lined with [[Aesculus|horse chestnut trees]], runs through the park.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ktv_creitmayr |title=Grüner Prater |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/prater.html |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=de |archive-date=8 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170808200855/https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/parks/anlagen/prater.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Eliud Kipchoge]] broke the marathon distance record on this road in the [[Ineos 1:59 Challenge|INEOS 1:59 Challenge]] in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 October 2019 |title=Eliud Kipchoge breaks two-hour marathon mark by 20 seconds |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/50025543 |access-date=18 March 2024 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB |archive-date=12 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012082335/https://www.bbc.com/sport/athletics/50025543 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Prater also is home to the [[Prater Liliputbahn|Liliputbahn]], a railway line primarily used by tourists, and a planetarium.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lilis Welt – Vergnügungsbetriebe seit 1928 |url=https://www.liliswelt.at/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=de-DE |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319203934/https://www.liliswelt.at/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vienna Planetarium |url=https://www.wien.info/en/see-do/sights-from-a-to-z/planetarium-355388 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=vienna.info |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184226/https://www.wien.info/en/see-do/sights-from-a-to-z/planetarium-355388 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was the location of the [[1873 Vienna World's Fair]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1873 Vienna |url=https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/1873-vienna |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.bie-paris.org |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184226/https://www.bie-paris.org/site/en/1873-vienna |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1931, the [[Ernst-Happel-Stadion]], formerly known as the Praterstadion, was opened in the Prater.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2008 |title=Ernst-Happel-Stadion - Sportstätte der Stadt Wien |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/freizeit/sportamt/sportstaetten/stadien/happel.htm |access-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080616063204/http://www.wien.gv.at/freizeit/sportamt/sportstaetten/stadien/happel.htm |archive-date=16 June 2008 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Schreef |first=Wojciech |date=14 September 2017 |title=Ernst Happel Stadion - Vienna - The Stadium Guide |url=https://www.stadiumguide.com/ernsthappel/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=nl |archive-date=27 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191227031903/http://www.stadiumguide.com/ernsthappel/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The grounds of the imperial [[Schönbrunn Palace]] contain an 18th-century park which includes the [[Schönbrunn Zoo]], which was founded in 1752, making it the world's oldest zoo still in operation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 October 2020 |title=The Oldest Zoos in the World You Can Still Visit Today - tiqets.com |url=https://www.tiqets.com/blog/oldest-zoos-in-the-world/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184227/https://www.tiqets.com/blog/oldest-zoos-in-the-world/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The zoo is one of the few to house [[giant panda]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A trip to Schönbrunn Zoo – Vienna Zoo |url=https://www.zoovienna.at/en/zoo-and-visitors/trip-schonbrunn-zoo/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.zoovienna.at |language=en |archive-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521032825/https://www.zoovienna.at/en/zoo-and-visitors/trip-schonbrunn-zoo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The park also features the [[Palmenhaus Schönbrunn]], a large [[greenhouse]] with around 4,500 plant species.
[[File:Gefechtsturm Augarten Sept 2020 14.jpg|thumb|A flak tower in the Augarten]]
The [[Augarten]] in [[Leopoldstadt]], on the border of [[Brigittenau]], is a 129-acre French Baroque-style public park open during the day. The park is home to flower gardens and multiple tree-lined avenues. The park was opened in 1775 by [[Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor|Joseph II]] and is surrounded by a wall with five gates, which are shut at night. The [[baroque]] [[Palais Augarten]], in the south of the park, is home to the [[Vienna Boys' Choir]]. Towering over the park are two [[Anti-aircraft warfare|anti-aircraft]] [[flak tower]]s, built by the Nazis in 1944. After the war, the towers were unable to be destroyed, so they were left standing. They now stand empty and serve no function, though various other such towers in the city were repurposed, such as the [[Haus des Meeres]] in Esterhazy Park.

The [[Donauinsel]], part of Vienna's flood defences, is a {{cvt|21.1|km|1}} long [[artificial island]] between the [[Danube]] and [[New Danube]] dedicated to leisure activities. It was constructed from 1972 to 1988 for [[Flood control|flood protection measures]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Danube Island |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/environment/waterbodies/danube-island/ |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=en |archive-date=18 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240318184229/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/environment/waterbodies/danube-island/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Sporting amenities, such as [[volleyball court]]s, [[playground]]s, [[skate spot]]s, [[dog park]]s, and multiple toilet facilities, some with showers, are available on the island. To transform the island into a green space, approximately 1.8 million trees and shrubs, along with 170 hectares of forest, were planted.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 September 2007 |title=Archivmeldung: MA 22: Artenparadies Donauinsel |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/vtx/vtx-rk-xlink?SEITE=020060612016 |access-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929123312/http://www.wien.gv.at/vtx/vtx-rk-xlink?SEITE=020060612016 |archive-date=29 September 2007 }}</ref> A few hundred [[Prunus serrulata|Japanese cherry trees]] were planted as a symbol of friendship between Austria and Japan. Animals on the island include [[sand lizard]]s and [[Danube crested newt]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donauinsel als Lebensraum für seltene Pflanzen und Tiere |website=www.wien.gv.at |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/gewaesser/donauinsel/oekologie/nischen.html |access-date=14 September 2024 |language=de |archive-date=14 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914120711/https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/gewaesser/donauinsel/oekologie/nischen.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:Donaupark & Donauturm Vienna 2024.jpg|thumb|The Donauturm in the Donaupark.]]
The [[Donaupark]] is a 63-hectare park in Kaisermühlen, [[Donaustadt]], between the [[New Danube]] and the Old Danube, next to the [[Vienna International Centre]]. The park features the [[Donauturm]], the [[List of tallest structures in Austria|tallest structure in Austria]] at 252 meters, as well as a 40-meter tall [[Christian cross|steel cross]], erected in 1983 on the occasion of a [[Mass in the Catholic Church|holy mass]] held by [[Pope John Paul II]] during his visit to Austria. The park features memorials to multiple [[Latin America]]n figures such as [[Salvador Allende]], [[Simón Bolívar]], and [[Che Guevara]].

Other parks include the Türkenschanzpark, the Schweizergarten, and the Waldmüllerpark.

=== Woods ===
The [[Lobau]], a [[floodplain]] in the southeast of the city, is a part of the wider [[Danube-Auen National Park]]. It is used for recreation and has many [[Naturism|nudist]] areas. It is home to multiple [[species]] of animals:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Geschützte Tierarten in der Lobau |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/wald/erholung/nationalpark/lebensraum/tiere.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630035305/https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/wald/erholung/nationalpark/lebensraum/tiere.html |archive-date=30 June 2024 |access-date=18 March 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=de}}</ref>

* [[Mammal]]s: [[Eurasian beaver|beavers]], [[deer]], [[European hare]]s, [[Eurasian water shrew]]s
* [[Reptile]]s: [[European pond turtle]]s, [[slow worm]], [[grass snake]]
* [[Amphibian]]s: [[European tree frog]]s, [[European fire-bellied toad]] 
* [[Fish]]: [[pigo]], [[rhodeus]], [[white-finned gudgeon]]
* [[Bird]]s: [[grey heron]]s, [[cormorant]]s, [[common kingfisher]]s, [[white-tailed eagle]]s
[[File:Wien 22 Lobau a.jpg|thumb|An entrance to the Lobau by [[Essling]]]]
In the west of the city is the [[Lainzer Tiergarten]], a 24.5&nbsp;km² public [[nature reserve]], of which 19.5&nbsp;km² is [[woodland]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2006 |title=Lage, Größe, Geologie und Klima des Lainzer Tiergartens |url=http://www.wien.gv.at/wald/lainz-tg/lage.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060706124041/http://www.wien.gv.at/wald/lainz-tg/lage.htm |archive-date=6 July 2006 |access-date=30 August 2024}}</ref> The park was created in 1561 by [[Ferdinand I, Holy Roman Emperor|Emperor Ferdinand I]], who used it as a private hunting ground. After the fall of the monarchy, the Austrian government declared it a public nature reserve. Since 1973, admission has been free of charge. The reserve is home to many [[wild boar]], [[fallow deer]], [[red deer]], and [[European mouflon]]s, as well as 18 species of [[bat]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lainzer Tiergarten - Lebensraum für Wildtiere |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/umwelt/wald/erholung/lainzertiergarten/lebensraum/wildtiere.html |access-date=30 August 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=de}}</ref>

=== Cemeteries ===
[[File:Zentralfriedhof Ludwig van Beethoven.JPG|thumb|The grave of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]] in the Central Cemetery.|left]]
Vienna has 55 [[Cemetery|cemeteries]], 46 managed by the city and the rest by religious communities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cemeteries in Vienna |url=https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture-history/religion/cemeteries.html |access-date=14 September 2024 |website=www.wien.gv.at |language=en |archive-date=8 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808233211/https://www.wien.gv.at/english/culture-history/religion/cemeteries.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The largest cemetery in the city is the [[Vienna Central Cemetery]] (''Zentralfriedhof''). Spanning 2.4&nbsp;km², it holds over 330,000 graves and about 3 million interments. Opened in 1874, the cemetery includes Catholic, Protestant, Muslim, and Jewish sections. Notable figures buried here include [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], [[Falco (musician)|Falco]], [[Bruno Kreisky]], [[Hedy Lamarr]], and all [[List of presidents of Austria|Austrian presidents]] who have died since [[World War II]]. The cemetery is also a habitat for wildlife, including [[Roe deer|deer]], [[European badger|badgers]], and [[Beech marten|martens]]. Most notably, [[European hamster]]s thrive here, feeding on plants around the [[Gravestone|headstones]]. The grounds feature numerous memorials, including those dedicated to the casualties of the [[Revolutions of 1848]], the [[July Revolt of 1927]], and the [[List of victims of Nazism|victims of the Nazi regime]].

[[St. Marx Cemetery]], now closed, is the final resting place of [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart]]. Other notable cemeteries include those in Grinzing and Hietzing, as well as the [[Jewish cemetery, Währing|Jewish Cemetery]] in Roßau.

=== Rivers ===

==== Danube ====
[[File:Vienna_20021024_(cropped).JPG|thumb|(l-r) Donaukanal, Danube, New Danube, Old Danube]]
Vienna is the [[List of cities and towns on the river Danube|largest city]] on the [[Danube]], which flows from the north and exits to the southeast.
[[File:Karte_Donaudurchstich.jpg|thumb|The plan for the regulation]]
Until 1870, the Danube in Vienna remained unregulated, with the river flowing through multiple branching side arms, making the area highly susceptible to flooding. The first major [[Vienna Danube regulation|Danube regulation]] project involved cutting a new, straight main channel to improve flood control and navigation. As part of the project, the arm that ran closer to the city center was preserved and is now known as the [[Donaukanal]] (Danube Canal). Additionally, another former arm north of the river was transformed into an [[oxbow lake]], today called the [[Old Danube|Alte Donau]] (''Old Danube'').<ref>{{Cite web |title=Donauregulierung 1870-1876 |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Donauregulierung_1870-1876 |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |language=de}}</ref>

Despite these measures, Vienna remained vulnerable to [[flood]]ing. To further mitigate flood risks, a second Danube regulation was undertaken starting in the 1970s. This project involved the construction of a parallel [[Flood management|flood relief]] channel, the [[New Danube|Neue Donau]] (''New Danube''), designed to divert excess water during high discharge periods. The excavated material from this project was used to create the Donauinsel (''Danube Island''), a long, narrow artificial island situated between the New Danube and the regulated main river. The effectiveness of these flood protection measures was demonstrated during the [[2024 European floods]], when Vienna remained largely unaffected.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-09-20 |title='Our plan worked': How Vienna prepared itself for a 5,000-year flood |url=https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240920-our-plan-worked-how-vienna-prepared-itself-for-a-5000-year-flood |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.bbc.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>

The four parts of the Danube:

* The main Danube is the widest of the river’s branches and serves as the primary route for shipping.
* The [[New Danube|Neue Donau]] (''New Danube'') is a side channel located to the east of the main river, running for approximately 21 kilometers. The water flows more slowly than in the main Danube, making it ideal for water sports such as swimming, rowing, and sailing. Motorboats are prohibited in this section.
* The [[Old Danube|Alte Donau]] (''Old Danube'') is a lake situated to the east of the New Danube, which effectively separates [[Kaisermühlen]] from the rest of the city. This lake is a popular recreational area for swimming, with freely accessible piers and beaches. Motorboats and pedalos are permitted on the lake and can be rented from nearby vendors.
* The [[Donaukanal]] (''Danube Canal'') branches off from the main river and re-enters close to the southern and northern edges of the city. Unlike the main river, it flows through the city center. While primarily used by boats, the paths along both sides of the canal are popular among pedestrians, joggers, and cyclists.
{{Gallery|File:Wien - Neue Donau.JPG|The New Danube in the front, the main Danube in the back, with the Donauinsel in-between.|File:Alte Donau Wien.jpg|The Old Danube|File:Schwedenbrücke Donaukanal Wien 2012 04.jpg|The Donaukanal by Schwedenplatz at night|title=|align=center|footer=|style=|state=|height=|width=|perrow=|mode=packed|whitebg=|noborder=|captionstyle=|alt1=|alt2=}}

==== Wien ====
[[File:Wienflussportal beim Stadtpark.JPG|thumb|The Wien in the Stadtpark]]
The river [[Wien (river)|Wien]] (''die Wien'' or ''Wienfluss'') is a 34-kilometer-long [[tributary]] of the Danube, with approximately half of its course flowing through Vienna. It originates in the [[Vienna Woods]] (''Wienerwald'') and flows eastward through the city, ultimately joining the Donaukanal. Historically, the river was prone to flooding, which prompted several regulatory measures and modifications, including the canalisation of its course in the 19th century. Today, much of the river Wien is contained within underground channels in the urban area. It enters Vienna in [[Penzing (Vienna)|Penzing]], flowing above ground past Schönbrunn Palace before being covered by the [[Naschmarkt]]. The river reemerges in the Stadtpark in the 1st district, before flowing into the Donaukanal.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wienfluss |url=https://www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at/Wienfluss#Verlauf |access-date=2025-03-10 |website=www.geschichtewiki.wien.gv.at |language=de}}</ref>