Point of interest
Prater & Riesenrad
in Vienna, Austria
The sprawling Prater park with its historic Ferris wheel; the surrounding green also hosts much of the Pride programme.
Where it is
In the 2nd district of Leopoldstadt, north-east of the centre; the Wurstelprater fairground with the Giant Ferris Wheel sits at the entrance to the vast Prater meadows.
Address: Praterstern, 1020 Vienna
What it is
The Wurstelprater is a freely accessible amusement park with rides, food stalls and a nostalgic flair; a turn on the 65-metre Giant Ferris Wheel offers sweeping views over Vienna. Behind it, the green Prater meadows with their main avenue invite walking and cycling.
History
The Prater was originally an imperial hunting ground and was opened to the public by Emperor Joseph II in 1766. The Vienna Giant Ferris Wheel was built in 1897 to mark the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I's accession and has been a city landmark ever since. Destroyed in the Second World War, it was rebuilt in 1947.