Description of the attraction
The Prater is both a large green area and one of the best European amusement parks. It is located some distance from the historic center of Vienna, 2 and a half kilometers away from the Hofburg Palace. There are three metro stations on the territory of the Prater, so getting to this popular vacation spot will not be difficult.
The Prater area itself has been known since the 12th century. In 1560, the local forests became the official property of the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian II, who established his hunting grounds here. Soon, however, many poachers were bred in these forests, and the Prater had to be closed to the public. Only in 1766 the first landscaped alleys and even cafes began to appear here, and later a large park complex grew here.
The most popular attraction in the Prater is the giant Ferris wheel (Riesenrad), which was built at the end of the 19th century. Its opening was timed to coincide with the fiftieth anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph. The maximum wheel height is 60 meters and offers a magnificent view of the city and the Danube. The Ferris wheel itself has already become a kind of symbol of the city.
The Prater also houses many sports facilities - a hippodrome, a velodrome, tennis courts, bicycle paths, as well as the country's main football arena - Ernest Happel Stadium, which hosted the final of the 2008 European Football Championship. The Prater is also the venue for the Vienna International Fair. Interestingly, the first such exhibition was held back in 1873.
There are also several fun activities for children in the Prater, including a miniature railway and the world's tallest carousel. Of course, there are also many cafes, restaurants and bars, as well as secluded shady alleys where you can escape from the hustle and bustle.
