VIENNA and AUSTRIA

A popular T-shirt in Vienna declares "There are No Kangaroos in Austria!" The apparent confusion regarding the difference between Austria and Australia brings sighs of exasperation amongst many Americans living in Vienna who have had their U.S. mail arrive after a detour to Down Under.

But while Vienna has always been right where it is, its place in European politics and culture has shifted often throughout its 2,000 year history. Today, Vienna is once again in the center of Europe. But not so long ago, Vienna was just barely on the western side of the Iron Curtain. Many visitors are surprised to learn that Vienna is actually further east than Prague and Berlin.

Vienna was once the heart of a vast realm, the Habsburg Empire. For a time, the possessions of the Habsburgs, who ruled for more than 600 years, were so far-flung that it was said that the sun never set on its dominions. All that came to an end more than 80 years ago.

Vienna is first mentioned in the first century under its Roman-Celtic name Vindobona. It was established by the Romans to be a frontier fortress to maintain vigil over the Danube which served as the northern border of the Roman Empire.

Charlemagne reinstated Vienna as a border post, then the Bebenberg dukes eventually won controll. When their dynasty died out, the Habsburgs became first dukes of Austria and later Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire which comprised much of Europe.