Der Wiener Prater. Labor der Moderne

The Prater – a centerpiece of Viennese history as a reflection of changing times



The Prater represents like no other place the history of Vienna and its growth into the modern metropolis of today. The opening of the Prater in 1766 under Emperor Josef II marked the beginning of a new era. From then on, the imperial hunting grounds were open to all Viennese citizens for recreation and pleasure, for walks, musical performances as well as eating, drinking, and dancing.

From optical curiosities to soccer, balloon flights and rockets, May Day and flower parades, all novelties were presented to a large audience for the first time here – in the Wurstelprater amusement park, in theaters, cinemas, variety shows, zoos, circuses, at the World’s Fair in 1873, in the vivarium, planetarium, or stadium. In the Prater, the major themes of modern life are condensed: the relationship between nature and city; man and animal; modern technology and the human body.



In-depth essays on more than 250 years of urban history: “The Prater and the City,” “Nature and Technology,” “Body and Desire,” “Grand Theater” With contributions from more than 40 renowned authors With numerous illustrations and photo spreads With contributions from:

Thorsten Blume, Susanne Breuss, Andreas Brunner, Ingrid Erb, Brigitte Felderer, Michael Feuchtinger, Wolfgang Fichna, Helmuth Figdor, Alys George, Bernhard Hachleitner, Tobias Hofbauer, Severin Hohensinner, Martin Huber, Anna Jungmayr, Christian Klösch, Sarah Knoll, Claudia Koch, Thomas Macho, Wolfgang Maderthaner, Sabine Müller, Andreas Nierhaus, Klaus Nüchtern, Martina Nußbaumer, Vrääth Öhner, Eva-Maria Orosz, Olaf Osten, Peter Payer, Birgit Peter, Sarah Pichlkastner, Stefan Poser, Béla Rásky, Tabea Rude, Martin Scheutz, Werner Michael Schwarz, Georg Spitaler, Ursula Storch, Christine Strahner, Alina Strmljan, Ernst Strouhal, Manuel Swatek, Klaus Taschwer, Katalin Teller, Gernot Waldner, Elsbeth Wallnöfer, Michael Wallraff, Elke Wikidal, Susanne Winkler, Marie Yazdanpanah, Susana Zapke