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Prater Park

The Hungarian Girl | May 19, 2010 | 0 Comments

The iconic Wiener Riesenrad, the Giant Ferris Wheel has been featured in many hollywood movies including "The Third Man."

In 1766, Austrian Emperor Josef II decided to open his imperial hunting grounds to the public.

Today, the Vienna Prater is one of the oldest park’s in the world. It features over 250 different attractions along with an expansive area of parks, forest land and meadow fields.

The iconic Wiener Riesenrad, the Giant Ferris Wheel is the park’s most popular attraction and can be seen from a great distance. Spanning over 200 feet with a total weight of 430.05 tons, the Giant Ferris Wheel was built in 1897 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I. During World War II, bombs and the construction of trenches destroyed large parts of the Prater district including the Giant Ferris Wheel. In 1945, most of the park was rebuilt at the same time as the reconstruction of St. Stephan’s Cathedral, the State Opera House, and the Burgtheater throughout the city.

Visitors can now take a ride up the Wiener Riesenrad in one of it’s 15 carefully restored cabins and enjoy a speculator views alongside the Danube. For special occasions, cabins can be rented out for a romantic dinner or drinks.

Prater Amusement Park is known for its nostalgic rides dating back to the 1900's.

Among other attractions in the park are roller coasters, fun houses, carousels, game arcades, as well as flying and whirling contraptions. There are also many cafes, restaurants, and beer gardens which offer traditional Viennese culinary delights from small snacks to full-scale dinners. The park is especially worth seeing at night when it’s gorgeous scenery is brilliantly lit in all colors.

Towards the back of the park is known as the “Green Prater”, which features recreational trails and paths. It is used extensively for sports such as walking, cycling, running and rollerblading. Pony rides and horse drawn carriages are permitted in the area. Bike rental is available and is a great way to see the park.

There is no entrance fee to get into the park as each attraction charges its own fee.

For those seeking a nostalgic and fun filled experience in Vienna, Prater Park is a must see!