Heldenplatz

Heldenplatz in Vienna's 1st district lies between the Hofburg, the Burgtor and the Volksgarten — the ceremonial forecourt of the former imperial residence and part of the unfinished Kaiserforum that was meant to link Hofburg and the court museums across the Ringstrasse. The square is named for two equestrian statues of Austrian commanders by Anton Dominik Fernkorn: Prince Eugene of Savoy and Archduke Charles, whose rearing horse balanced on only two hooves is a small engineering masterpiece. Historically Heldenplatz carries heavy weight: on 15 March 1938 Hitler proclaimed Austria's annexation to the German Reich here before cheering crowds. Today the vast open space hosts parades, open-air concerts, and simply offers a generous breathing pause between a Hofburg tour and the Museumsquartier.