{"id":34177,"date":"2021-09-23T05:34:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-23T04:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/?p=34177"},"modified":"2025-09-10T08:21:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-10T07:21:46","slug":"urania","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/urania\/","title":{"rendered":"The Urania on the Donaukanal"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/uraniasmall.jpg\" alt=\"Roof of the Urania\" class=\"wp-image-34179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/uraniasmall.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/uraniasmall-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>A striking building guards the meeting of waterways where the Donaukanal and River Wien collide. Not a military installation, but the Urania: an observatory, educational centre, and historical landmark regarded with affection by locals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Built in 1910 to designs by a student of Otto Wagner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unique architectural form<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Long history in cultural and scientific education<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Book a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiqets.com\/en\/vienna-walking-tours-l205287\/?partner=visitingvienna&amp;tq_campaign=LG_WalkingTours\" rel=\"sponsored\">walking tour<\/a>* for your Vienna trip<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>See also:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/donaukanal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34106\">The Donaukanal<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stars and science<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/urania.jpg\" alt=\"The Urania\" class=\"wp-image-49422\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/urania.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/urania-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Main entrance)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our story begins in the late 19th century with the establishment of a &#8220;popular science&#8221; organisation modelled on a similar initiative in Germany (the <em>Berlin Urania<\/em>). The aim was to engage in public education with accessible scientific lectures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Such upstanding goals demand an appropriate building, which led to the construction in 1909\/1910 of a permanent home for the Vienna Urania&#8217;s offices and activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The official opening, in the presence of Archduke Ferdinand Karl (younger brother of the more famous Franz Ferdinand), took place on June 6th, 1910.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/uraniadonaukanalnorthbank.jpg\" alt=\"The Urania from the Donaukanal north bank\" class=\"wp-image-45421\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/uraniadonaukanalnorthbank.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/uraniadonaukanalnorthbank-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(View from the other side of the Donaukanal river channel)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This Urania included an observatory, auditorium and other lecture rooms, cinema facilities, a photographic studio, and similar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>All of which might be considered rather mundane were it not for the cultural impact and architectural timing of the new building; 1910 fell in the era of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/culture\/wiener-moderne\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"28303\">Vienna Modernism<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The architect, Max Fabiani (1865-1962), had studied and worked at the feet of the great <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/footsteps\/otto-wagner-in-vienna\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4917\">Otto Wagner<\/a>, pioneer of modern architecture. His design walked a difficult tightrope between attempting something entirely modern while also keeping to the historical exterior style favoured by the city elders.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/donaukanalurania.jpg\" alt=\"The Donaukanal at the Urania\" class=\"wp-image-48265\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/donaukanalurania.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/donaukanalurania-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(The Urania sits where the Donaukanal and River Wien come together)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Progressive architects of the time, however, might have seen the result as a missed opportunity to build something even more radical.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fabiani&#8217;s handiwork also appears <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/jugendstil-graben\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"33969\">elsewhere in the city<\/a>, for example at the 1900 house at Kohlmarkt 9 with its remarkable bay windows. Or the plinth and reliefs for the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/sights\/gutenberg-monument\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"33777\">Gutenberg monument<\/a> on Lugeck square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today&#8217;s Viennese regard the Urania with notable fondness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One explanation for this affection is the significance of the position on the city map. The Urania towers over the confluence of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/donaukanal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34106\">Donaukanal<\/a> and the River Wien. It also marks the edge of the old town as you drive east in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/transport\/city-to-airport\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"3754\">direction<\/a> of the airport.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"380\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/uraniasketch.jpg\" alt=\"Sketch of a river scene in Vienna\" class=\"wp-image-85696\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/uraniasketch.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/uraniasketch-300x228.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(My charcoal and ink sketch of the above, because why not?)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Culturally, the Urania also left an indelible mark on the psyche of the Viennese by introducing them to the wonders of modern science as part of a variety of educational activities (these were pre-Internet and TV days).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, the Urania put on the first public performance of film with sound in Austria on June 8th, 1928: a sensation greeted by wild applause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><em>Ad:<\/em><br><\/div><div data-tiqets-widget=\"discovery\" data-cards-layout=\"horizontal\" data-content-type=\"product\" data-content-ids=\"1029262,976190\" data-partner=\"visitingvienna\" data-tq-campaign=\"DA_HistoryTours\"><\/div><script defer src=\"https:\/\/widgets.tiqets.com\/loader.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:25px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One newspaper wrote the next day (my translation):<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>The sounds of an overture reached us from the screen. We looked instinctively for the orchestra. But the orchestra is the film.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>And a little later added:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>It&#8217;s impossible to say how the cinema business might be influenced by talking films.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>(Fast forward a few decades, and the Urania <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/songsfilms\/the-recruit-locations\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"60459\">actually appears<\/a> in the TV series <em>The Recruit<\/em>.)<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/uranianight.jpg\" alt=\"The Urania at night\" class=\"wp-image-63805\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/uranianight.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/uranianight-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-small-font-size\">(Also a popular location after the sun goes down)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The building has since seen adaptations, additions and refurbishments, not least because of WWII damage. But it remains largely true to Fabiani&#8217;s concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the Urania also retains its original purpose to a large extent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The location still houses a public observatory, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cineplexx.at\/center\/urania-kino\/\">Urania Kino<\/a> serves as one of the host cinemas for Vienna&#8217;s most prestigious film festival: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/events\/viennale-film-festival\/\">the Viennale<\/a>. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vhs.at\/de\/e\/urania\">VHS Urania community college<\/a> offers dozens of (mostly evening) classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For those seeking nourishment of a less intellectual and more physical kind, one of today&#8217;s occupants is also the <a href=\"https:\/\/klyo.at\/\">KLYO bar and restaurant<\/a> (with lovely views over the water and one of my preferred watering holes).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to get to the Urania<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Should you be wandering or cycling along the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/entertainment\/donaukanal\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"34106\">Donaukanal<\/a>, you&#8217;ll pass the Urania on the southern bank. Other options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Subway: a short walk from the central Schwedenplatz station on the U1 and U4 lines<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tram: the Urania practically has its own stop (Julius-Raab-Platz) served by the 1 and 2 tram lines that go around much of the giant Ring boulevard<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Address: Urania Stra\u00dfe 1, 1010 Vienna<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1PrVA5RFRC1zzKyQQofLbGVOa8cqKA49Y\" width=\"400\" height=\"300\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A striking building guards the meeting of waterways where the Donaukanal and River Wien collide. Not a military installation, but the Urania: an observatory, educational centre, and historical landmark regarded with affection by locals. Stars and science (Main entrance) Our story begins in the late 19th century with the establishment of a &#8220;popular science&#8221; organisation [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":34179,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-34177","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sights","8":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34177","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34177"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34177\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":85697,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34177\/revisions\/85697"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34177"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34177"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitingvienna.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34177"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}