Report on the official language of Austria. Austria

According to the form of state-territorial structure, Austria is a federation, which includes 9 states.

The main legislative act of the country is the Constitution of 1920; in 1929 it underwent significant changes and since that time has been called the “Federal Constitutional Law of 1920 as amended in 1929.” Its effect was terminated in 1934 with the establishment of the fascist regime in the country and restored in 1945. On May 1, 1945, the Constitution again came into force. According to the form of government, Austria is a parliamentary republic. The political regime is democratic.

One of the significant features of the Austrian Constitution is the fragmentation of the legal framework. Along with the Federal Constitutional Law of 1920, a number of other constitutional laws are in force. In addition, constitutional provisions are contained in many ordinary laws. These are, for example, the constitutional provisions of the Citizenship Law of 1965, the Law on Political Parties, the Neutrality of Austria (the law declared Austria a zone of permanent neutrality and prohibited joining military alliances and the deployment of foreign military bases on Austrian territory) of the Austrian Republic. Constitution and legislative acts. - M., "Progress", 1985.

The provisions of constitutional laws were subsequently included directly in the text of the Federal Constitutional Law of 1920. However, even today the current Constitution of Austria is not a single act, but a series of constitutional acts and constitutional provisions included in ordinary laws.

The Constitution is divided into several sections that characterize the political structure and government system of Austria. There is also a section regarding general provisions. These provisions consolidate the status of Austria as a democratic state, declare the equality of citizens before the law, describe the state emblem and flag, etc. After Austria joined the European Union, clauses were added to this section defining the procedure for Austria's participation in EU bodies.

The president of the country is elected by direct popular vote for a six-year term. A majority vote is required for election; if no candidate receives a majority, a run-off vote is called between the two leading candidates. The President is granted important powers; he can issue decrees that have the force of law.

The legislative power of the federation is exercised by the bicameral Federal Assembly. The main chamber - the National Council (Nationalrat) is elected in accordance with the principle of proportional representation on the basis of equal, direct suffrage by secret ballot. The Chamber consists of 183 members, its term of office is 4 years. The second chamber is the Federal Council (Bundesrat), which consists of 63 people, and is the body of representation of the states. The chambers discuss the most important issues together. This event was called the Bundesfersammlung.

The highest administration of the country is entrusted to the Federal Government. It consists of the Chancellor - the head of government, the Vice-Chancellor and other ministers, the number of which is not constant. The Chancellor is appointed by the Federal President, the other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Chancellor. Only persons who have the right to be elected to the National Council are nominated for these positions.

Currently, the main source of law in Austria is legislation and other regulations. The decisive role in legal regulation in Austria belongs to federal legislation. Issues of civil and criminal law, judicial system and judicial process are resolved exclusively by federal laws.

Ensuring the legality of all public administration rests with the Administrative Court. The administrative court considers complaints against decisions of government bodies, abuses of power that have caused harm to a citizen, and other issues. The court accepts complaints only after the applicant has exhausted all possibilities of appeal to administrative authorities. Members of the Administrative Court are appointed from judges (at least 1/3 of the composition) and experienced civil servants, necessarily representing the various states of Austria. Cases are considered, as a rule, by panels of 5 judges, sometimes by 3 or 9.

The Supreme Court heads the system of general courts. It is the highest authority in civil and criminal cases and considers cassation appeals.

There are currently about 17 active political parties in Austria. However, the most significant are the Social Democratic Party of Austria (SDPA), the Austrian People's Party (AP), and the Austrian Freedom Party (APS).

Austria is one of the richest countries in the world. Despite its small area, lack of mineral resources and multinational composition, the state is prospering, and the level of income of the population is constantly growing. The primary role in achieving such a result is played by the unity of society, which can be the envy of many countries.

A huge number of nationalities and ethnic groups work as one, despite obvious differences in their mentality and appearance. At the same time, the language in Austria is as diverse and colorful as the ethnicity of its inhabitants.

Austria is located in the central part of Europe, covering an area of 84 thousand square meters. km and borders 8 countries. Its geographical neighbors are, and. Each of these states not only influences the cultural development of the regions, but also introduces certain speech changes into their everyday life.

For many centuries, Austria was part of various principalities and kingdoms, and when it gained independence, it began to annex other lands. As a result of centuries of history, about 30–40 ethnic groups and communities lived in the territory occupied by modern Austria. Moreover, each nation had its own mentality, values and speech characteristics. If the modern culture of the Austrian state was formed from the first 2 components, then with the language everything is far from being so simple.

The official language in Austria is German

There is only one official language in Austria - German, which is enshrined in relevant acts at the legislative level. Moreover, of the 8.5 million people living in the country, the vast majority (about 87%) are German-speaking. The remaining 13–13.5% speak other languages and dialects, formed over many years of close proximity with other countries. However, the German language in Austria is completely different from what it sounds in Germany. The multinational composition of the state left its mark on the speech style of its citizens. In some lands it is so modified that the native German does not recognize it as his own.

The national German language is divided into two categories - official and colloquial. The first is closest to the traditional dialect of the inhabitants of Germany, and the second was formed under the influence of other linguistic trends. The official language is used to fill out all documentation, educate children, and conduct various sports and cultural events. At the same time, colloquial speech is used when people communicate in everyday life and varies depending on the region.

You can find out what language they speak in Switzerland from the video.

In general, the spoken language of the inhabitants of Austria is close in sound to Bavarian and the Vorarlberg dialect, which is the national language of Switzerland. In addition, other dialects such as Swabian German, Styrian or Swiss German are also widely used for communication.

Other languages in Austria: second official and regionally approved

What language is spoken in Austria? It is quite difficult to answer this question. The official language of the country is German.

It is used to fill out all official papers, business correspondence, create printed materials, road signs and other information of national importance.

Almost all local residents, if they don’t speak it, at least understand it. Most often, Austrian German is heard on the streets of the capital and its environs, which is why it received the name Viennese dialect.

In regions remote from Vienna, speech becomes less and less similar to German, changing beyond recognition. This metamorphosis is especially noticeable in border areas, where indigenous people are mixed with representatives of neighboring powers. Austria is home to 6 officially recognized national minorities, including Czechs, Slovenes, Croats, Roma, Slovaks and Hungarians. Most of them are located along the corresponding borders, and only the Roma are dispersed throughout the country.

In Austria, residents speak more than 3 languages

The legal status of small ethnic groups, enshrined in law, contributed to the transfer of some languages to a special status. As a result, in some regions the second official ones are considered:

Gradiscan-Croatian;
Hungarian;
Slovenian.

Each of the above languages can be heard on the streets of Austria. At the same time, the most widespread among them is the Hungarian language, whose native speakers are at least 40,000 people. At the same time, 3–14 times more people use it to communicate. Most of them live in Burgenland, which directly borders Hungary, and in the area of the Austrian capital Vienna. Representatives of the Slovenian diaspora are smaller in number and number approximately 24,000 people. They live mainly in the border areas of Styria and Carinthia. Gradiscan-Croatian is spoken in the Burgenland region, where the majority of Croats live (19,000 people). About 150,000 residents use this dialect in colloquial speech.

The Gradiscan-Croatian language is spoken on the territory of Burgenlad.

The following languages do not have official status, but are approved by law in some regions:

Czech;
Slovak;
Gypsy.

They can mainly be heard in certain areas of Lower Austria and the capital of the country. At the same time, there are 18,000 native Czech speakers, 10,000 Slovak speakers, and about 6,000 Roma speakers.

Austrians know English quite well and not only understand it, but can also communicate freely in it. Moreover, it belongs to the category of foreign languages, and its study is included in the general education program. Therefore, after graduating from school, most young people speak it perfectly. In general, about 58–60% of Austrians have sufficient knowledge to fully communicate with foreign citizens. In addition to English, schools teach French, which has the status of a second foreign language.

Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed himself Emperor of France in 1799, and the Austrians at first were his irreconcilable enemies.

In 1805, the famous Battle of Austerlitz took place, which was also called the “Battle of Three Emperors.” The allied army of Austria and Russia suffered a crushing defeat from the French. Emperors Franz II and Alexander I fled from the battlefield, Field Marshal Kutuzov was wounded.

However, Mikhail Illarionovich still had a chance to rehabilitate himself when the Austrian generals no longer told him to, and revenge was taken at Borodino.

Austria was forced to make peace with Napoleon with the loss of a large number of territories. Later, in 1811, an Austrian-French military alliance was concluded and Austria officially entered the war with Russia on the side of Napoleon.

The Austrians participated in the Patriotic War of 1812 with a corps of 30,000 people under the command of General Schwarzenberg. He showed himself to be a master at simulating hectic activity.

After Napoleon's defeat in Russia in 1812, his defeats continued. In 1814, he lost all territories except France itself, and the united army took Paris, and Bonaparte went into exile on the island of Elba.

It was in Vienna that a congress of representatives of European countries was held, where new borders on the continent were discussed. This meeting went down in history as the “Congress of Vienna,” and as a result, Austria returned all its lost lands. The Austrian Empire became large and strong again.

We got too carried away with wars and forgot about one important event that happened in January 1756. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born in the city of Salzburg. This is the symbol of Austria, who is depicted on, and the candies and liquor named after him are the most popular.

One of the most brilliant composers and performers of his time lived in Austria, first in Salzburg and then in Vienna. The great musician died at the age of 36 from an illness, and all the legends about his poisoning by Salieri have no evidence.

The next historical event occurred in 1848, when a real bourgeois revolution began here. The Austrian Empire was not homogeneous, many regions had broad autonomy, parts of the empire began to adopt their own constitutions, and the country was close to collapse.

The situation was saved by Emperor Franz Joseph I, who, with the help of Russia, suppressed the uprisings in Hungary, and, using cunning political moves, transformed the Austrian Empire into a centralized state. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was very unique, the emperor was the sole ruler, but both parts of the empire had their own parliaments and even budgets. The empire was an absolute record holder for the number of officials, which led to discontent among the population.

Kaiser Franz, aka Emperor Franz Joseph I, was perhaps the most famous ruler of Austria. His reign lasted for 68 years. He became the first Austro-Hungarian Emperor. The second and last was his cousin Charles I.

Unfortunately, this period of history cannot be called successful; the war with Prussia was lost in 1866, and Austria finally lost hope of becoming the leader of the German peoples.

The city of Vienna at this time, on the contrary, was experiencing a cultural dawn. It was during this period that the most interesting buildings appeared here: the opera building and the university.

In 1914, in the city of Sarajevo in Bosnia, Serbian student Danilo Princip shot and killed the heir to the Austrian throne, Franz Ferdinand, with a pistol. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and World War I began. The peoples of the empire did not enjoy the war. The Czechs, Hungarians and Croats did not want to fight and die for Austria and willingly surrendered. This situation is shown in a particularly interesting way in Jaroslav Hasek’s novel “The Adventures of the Good Soldier Švejk.”

Austria has a temperate, transitional to continental climate, but since 70% of the country is occupied by the Alps, temperature changes are inevitable. As an example: the Austrian winter in the flat areas is a ridiculous -2 °C for Russians and a more noticeable -14 °C in the mountainous regions. Forecasters divide Austria into three zones: eastern, alpine and an area with a transitional Atlantic climate. The east of the country is characterized by dry, hot summers and harsh winters with little precipitation. The Alpine region is famous for prolonged rains and snowstorms. As for other areas, the weather in them is controlled by Atlantic and continental air masses.

Winter in Austria is actually the high season and the most party time of the year, thanks to fans of snowboarding, skiing and tubing storming the Alps with the appearance of the first snow. For those who prefer warm relaxation to mountain extremes and invigorating frosts, it is more advisable to celebrate the New Year at thermal resorts, of which there are about 40. Tourists who did not have time to save up for a ski pass and a subscription to expensive spa complexes will have to warm their palms with a mug of fiery gluwein (it aka mulled wine) at the Christmas markets of Vienna, Linz and.

At the end of April, the last adherents of “alpine skiing” leave Austria, passing the baton to fans of museum excursions and ecotourism. This fact does not affect prices in any way, so if you are planning to get acquainted with the May landscapes of Tyrol or a cycling tour in Styria, accept the fact that global savings will not work out. When traveling along the alpine trails in the spring, do not be lazy to also take warm clothes - it is seriously windy on the slopes.

In summer in Austria the air warms up to +25 °C in the shade. There are periodic showers, which disappear by August. Summer is also an ideal time for having fun on lake beaches, crazy rafting, gorging on national dishes at gastronomic festivals and tours of medieval cities. Shopaholics who did not have time to buy trendy outfits during the Christmas sales are advised to save their money until the summer - grand sales in Austrian malls start in July.

September in the homeland of Mozart and Commissar Rex is still a “walking” time: the air is warmed up to +17...+20 °C, the weather is clear, and there is little rain. In the fall, travelers head to Austria to indulge in leisurely hiking, take fun selfies at rural harvest festivals, and revel in provincial heurigers serving new wine and the Austrian variation of apple cider, the bridge. Fans of a more lively party should go to Vienna, to the local Oktoberfest, which here, although not as wild as in neighboring Germany, is more organized.

Cities of Austria

All cities in Austria

History of the country

The history of Austria dates back to the 4th century BC. e., when Celtic tribes settled in the Danube territories and founded the kingdom of Norik here. Local leaders quickly became friends with Rome, which contributed to the Romanization of Celtic culture, language and architecture. In the 2nd century, the Sarmatians, Ost and Visigoths became interested in Norik, so the inhabitants of the kingdom did not have time to repel the attacks of their neighboring invaders. As an example: in just over a hundred years, the territories of modern Austria managed to become Rugiland, part of the state of Odoacer, and even provinces of the Ostrogothic state and the Avar Kaganate.

In 805, the Austrian lands became part of the Frankish Empire, receiving the status of the Eastern March, subordinate to Bavaria. For more than four hundred years, this state formation was ruled by the Babenberg family, with the extinction of which the Eastern Mark passed to the Czech king. In 1282, the first representative of the Habsburg dynasty, Rudolf II, reigned on the Austrian throne. By that time, Austria had already left the control of the Czech Republic and was already called a duchy.

The most successful period in the life of the country can be called the New Age, when Austria increased its military power, repelled the encroachments of the Turks, and at the same time expanded its own possessions. For example, in 1699 the country received the territories of Hungary, Transylvania, Croatia and Slovenia. Further - more: in 1804, Austria declared itself an empire, and in 1867 it acquired the status of a dual monarchy, called Austria-Hungary. The 20th century was not as successful for the descendants of the Celts as previous eras: the First World War, the revolution, and the forced need to part with the Hungarian, Croatian and Transylvanian territories had an impact on the economy, which undermined the economy.

In 1938, Hitler carried out his famous Anschluss, as a result of which Austria became part of the Third Reich, and religious and nationalist persecution began for its population. It was possible to restore the rights of the once great empire only after the end of the Second World War, and then only formally: until the middle of the last century, Austria remained divided into occupation zones. The Declaration of Independence of the state was signed in 1955 along with the declaration of neutrality. By the way, the Austrian authorities observe this last obligation very selectively and have even amended the Constitution to allow them to cooperate with the Bundeswehr.

Mentality and language

A pronounced feature of the national character of the Austrians remains their loyalty to traditions and the desire for status. If a local resident had an aristocratic ancestor at least in the tenth generation, he will notify everyone about it. In the “land of strudels and schnitzels” they are very careful about innovations, as well as the recognition of various rights and freedoms. As a result: there are far fewer informals on the streets of Vienna than in the capitals of other European countries. At the same time, in everyday communication, Austrians are quite open and friendly, so when traveling through the Alps and coming into contact with locals, you can count not only on sparse instructions, but also on intimate conversations.

Despite the fact that Austrians and Germans speak dialects of the same language and continue to remain neighbors, there is no smell of friendship between the nations. It is unknown whether this is a reaction to the Anschluss of 1938 or whether the proud people have harbored a grudge since the times of the Frankish Empire, but the fact remains: the Germans in Austria are treated so-so and even make up offensive jokes about Goethe’s descendants. The Germans are also not far behind their caustic neighbors, accusing the latter of “appropriating” Mozart, but skillfully disowning the Fuhrer, who was born in Upper Austria.

As for communication, even if you speak Hochdeutsch (literary German) perfectly, it is unlikely that you will be able to achieve complete mutual understanding in Austria. And all because people here communicate in Wienerish, which, although formally considered a dialect of German, is in fact very different from it. To make it clearer: greet an Austrian with the standard “Guten Tag!” it won’t work - people here prefer the greeting “Gruss Goth!” and “Servus!” In large cities and tourist places, the Austro-Russian phrasebook will most likely not be useful - the entire working population speaks English there. But if you're going to stray from the mainstream route, it's best to bring a dictionary.

Money

Austria is part of the Eurozone, so payments in the country are carried out in euros (EUR). Despite the fact that there is no shortage of bank branches and exchange offices that convert foreign currency, it is better to come immediately with cash, since the commissions for such transactions are significant. Keep in mind that Austrian banks have a five-day working week. In addition, they are open on all days except Thursday, strictly until 15:00.

Cashing out funds from an account in Austria is easy - there are enough 24-hour ATMs that accept Russian MasterCard and Visa cards, as well as Maestro and American Express, in every relatively large locality. Cash registers of shops, restaurants and gas stations will accept “plastic” if we are talking about tourist locations or famous winter resorts. But in remote guesthouses and provincial heurigers, guests will be asked to pay with banknotes.

Sights and entertainment in Austria

In Austria, it is difficult to identify top tourist places and regions, because in this regard, each city or resort pulls the blanket on itself. But such a feature can be an excellent reason to return to the country again, and then again and again! And so on until it is possible to collect and organize the impressions of all the objects that the descendants of Austrian composers and margraves are so proud of.

Architecture

The architectural heritage of Austria is a little Gothic, a little more pompous palace Baroque and Viennese Art Nouveau shaded with romantic Biedermeier. Objects of temple architecture will also help you teleport into the past of the great empire: Vienna's Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral), Salzburg Cathedral, the ascetic-Gothic Maria am Gestad, the Cathedral of St. Egidio in, as well as dozens of modest but original provincial churches. If you love ancient legends, a mystical atmosphere and monumentality in all its manifestations, take a look at Austrian castles and fortresses, of which there are more than two dozen. For example, in Hochosterwitz, suspended between heaven and earth, in the harshly impregnable Hohensalzburg, or in the postcard Kreuzenstein, in which Dominic Sena filmed his disastrous “Time of the Witch” with Nicolas Cage.

If the rough scale of medieval architecture leaves conflicting impressions, you can switch to the masterpieces of the imperial era: the Hofburg, Schönbrunn and Belvedere palaces (Vienna), the Innsbruck residence of the Habsburgs Hofburg (not to be confused with the Viennese palace of the same name), Eggenberg Castle, which embodied the concept of time and movement in its exterior stars, as well as the Salzburg Mirabell Palace, whose history began with the scandalous affair of Bishop Rathenau with a young merchant's wife. Modern Austrian architects also do not waste time, racing to design something unimaginable, asymmetrical and cosmically large, like the Museum of Modern Art in Vienna (better known as MUMOK), the BTV bank building in or the office of a steel company in Linz. Moreover, almost all Viennese high-rise buildings, built at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, are a complete challenge to the laws of physics and gravity.

Museums

In Austria, every museum is a luxurious palace ensemble, the house of a famous composer, or a futuristic creation of modern designers. The undisputed leaders in this niche, both in terms of attendance and in terms of the wealth of funds, are the Hofburg, which houses the entire imperial history of the country, the Albertina, with its million-strong collection of paintings and graphic canvases, and the Belvedere, filled with works of impressionists and medieval sculptors. You can admire Bruegel, Cranach the Elder and Rembrandt, unknown to the general public, in the Ferdinandeum (), and it is better to take pictures in front of the first airplanes and sports cars in the demonstration pavilion with free admission “Hangar-7” ().

To see everything at once, rather than moving from area to area, welcome to the Museum Quarter of the Austrian capital, which unites several art galleries and exhibition halls. If you are drawn to non-standard and magical exhibitions, then “Crystal Worlds” is for you. The museum was founded by the crystal manufacturer Swarowski and is located in the city of Wattens, inside a picturesque hill with a giant's head. The category of the most controversial institutions includes the Innsbruck Bell Museum and the Anatomical Museum, as well as the Vienna Tower of Madmen, tours of which will provide contradictory, but unforgettable impressions.

The Mauthausen museum complex in the vicinity of Linz promises complete immersion in the horrors of World War II. Entrance to the former death factory has been free for everyone for many years. The Austrians have not forgotten about Mozart either, so if you want, go to Vienna to see what apartments the greatest composer of all time rented at the peak of his fame. Or settle in and visit the yellow mansion where Wolfgang Amadeus took his first steps. Continuing the musical theme, you can look into the house-museum of Johann Strauss - an apartment on Praterstrasse in Vienna, where the musician wrote the immortal waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube”.

Nature

The first place in the top five natural must-sees in Austria unconditionally belongs to the Hohe Tauern Park. Snow-capped mountain peaks and ice fields through which wild chamois run, charming mini-waterfalls and emerald lawns with relict ferns - all this is just a small fraction of the riches of one of the oldest nature reserves in Europe. In the Donau-Auen National Park, the romantic views are dominated by the handsome Danube, on whose floodplain meadows deer graze, and in the creeks beavers build their amusing structures. To get rare photographs of black storks, try to get into the Tayatal protected area, located on the border with the Czech Republic. Well, for romantic selfies against the backdrop of limestone mountains and nimble rivers, the landscapes of Gezoise, the country’s youngest park, founded in 2002, are ideal.

Fans of relaxed meditations near the surface of the water should not ignore the Austrian lakes, of which there are more than a thousand in Mozart’s homeland. Try, for example, to settle in Carinthia, on the banks of the turquoise Wörthersee, Langsee and Klopeinersee. Or head to the salt mines and tranquil blue lakes of Salzkammergut, where taverns serve fresh catch from local fishermen. The small but industrial Vorarlberg already smells of neighboring Switzerland - the region is located next to Lake Constance. And of course, don’t miss the main natural phenomenon of the Alps - the green lake Grünersee, which floods the neighboring park in the summer season and exposes part of its bottom in the winter.

All sights of Austria

Ski holiday

Even tourists who are far from sports know that Austria has a fantastic alpine skiing scene. One of the most pleasant features of the Alpine slopes is their diversity, so skiing here is convenient for both beginners who have just started snowboarding and extreme sports enthusiasts conquering black slopes. Technical equipment is a separate issue. The Austrians, who do not welcome squandering, are investing in the Alps to the fullest, so even a small village can find a dozen modern ski lifts and a sufficient number of snow cannons to keep the snow on the slopes until the end of April.

There is no point in listing all the ski locations in Austria, especially since there is a tendency towards consolidation - resorts neighboring each other are united into common ski areas, where you can have fun with a single ski pass. The favorite place of the Austrian and foreign elite is the Ski Arlberg region, which ranks fifth in the list of the largest ski resorts of our time. It includes the villages of Zurs, St. Anton, Lech, Oberlech and Stuben, the slopes of which are connected by 87 ski lifts. By the way, Arlberg is so far the only place in Austria where you can try your hand at heli-skiing.

The largest trail for night skiing should be found in Wilder Kaiser-Brixental - the largest ski area in Tyrol. Here, in the Tyrolean Alps, there are other resort associations such as the Zillertal Arena, Sölden, Kirchberg and Mayrhoffen-Hippach. Skiers and snowboarders looking for slopes in the surrounding area should better get a ski pass for the slopes of Saalbach-Hinterglemm-Leogang-Fieberbrunn. The area is famous for its ski schools and extensive range of winter activities, including horse sledding.

A good half of travelers go to ski resorts in Austria not so much for sporting achievements, but because of the stunning après ski in its thoughtfulness. Moreover, hanging out in local bars and clubs means not only drinking and dancing, but also interesting meetings. If you know the “fishing” places, there is every chance of getting a selfie with a world celebrity - stars love to relax after “rides” in the cold no less than mere mortals. So, if you came to Mozart’s homeland with the goal of having fun in the company of media people, move closer to resorts such as Schladming (Styria), St. Anton, Mayrhofen and Ischgl (). By the way, about Ischgl: the location is located on the border with Switzerland, so holders of a ski pass valid on its territory are allowed to “cross the border” and drive along the slopes of the Swiss resort of Samnaun.

Spas and thermal resorts in Austria

Austria is home to a large number of mineral and thermal springs, and where there are healing springs, there are spa complexes. You can often take a steam bath in radon and carbon dioxide baths without leaving the ski resorts, as, for example, in Bad Kleinkirchheim (Carinthia) or the Aqua-Dom balneological complex in Sölden. In Bad Tatzmannsdorf, Burgenland, people not only bathe in mineral water, but also take it orally as part of a treatment course for gout, osteoporosis, diabetes and other ailments. A whole cascade of thermal springs is located near the city of Bad Blumau (Styria), famous for its health center “Rogner Bad Blumau”, built according to the sketches of the “fairytale architect” Friedensreich Hundertwasser.

The southernmost of the mineral thermal resorts in Austria is Warmbad Villach. It is located in Styria, offering, in addition to hot pools and healing waters, proximity to ski slopes, as well as several music and theater festivals. Another Styrian commune where you can pamper yourself with spa treatments is Bad Radkersburg. The pools here are moderately warm (about +25 °C), but super-carbonated, so an interesting sensation while swimming is guaranteed. Young travelers at Austrian resorts are also taken care of - many aquatic complexes have special small areas for children and water slides.

How to save money in Austria

It is possible and necessary to save money in the “land of waltzes, music and alpine skiing,” especially since each region and city issues discount cards for travelers. In Vienna, for example, there are three of them - Vienna Pass, Wien-Karte and Flexi Pass. In , having a Salzburg Card in hand, you can ride cable cars and river boats for free, and also receive significant discounts on the excursion program. Most cards valid in the federal state of Salzburg can be obtained for free - hotels in Zell, Flachau, Lungau and other popular places issue discount coupons to their guests.

Summer lures tourists with guest tickets that promise global savings when visiting museums and swimming pools. For an inexpensive acquaintance with Styria, about 9 tourist maps have been issued, covering natural and cultural attractions, Salzkammergut, Murthal, Schladming-Dachstein and a number of other interesting locations. Lower and Upper Austria, Burgenland, Carinthia, Vorarlberg also offer tempting discounts on a variety of entertainment and gastronomic pleasures, from a free glass of wine in partner restaurants to visits to thermal complexes for a nominal fee.

Important: It is better to look for cards that provide financial benefits for exploring the culture and nature of Austria in hotels and tourist centers that support this program.

Where to stay

The most economical type of Austrian housing is boarding houses, in which the entire range of services, from cleaning to breakfast, is provided by the owner and members of his family. The average cost of living in such places is 60-80 EUR. You won’t be able to stay in bed & breakfast hotels located along busy highways for less than 100-120 EUR. As for the Austrian “fives”, the discrepancy between the degree of star rating and the level of service and comfort of the premises is still noticeable even in the most high-status establishments.

Explorers of the rural hinterland can add a pastoral flavor to their vacation and retire to alpine farms. The obvious advantages of such vacations are organic products straight from the garden, educational agricultural programs for children, the opportunity to contact pets and become involved in the culture of winemaking. Village pleasures cost from 15 to 35 EUR per day per person, so if you are ready to spend money on such a downshift, take a look at the portal urlaubambauernhof.at, where all the nicest estates that welcome guests from the concrete jungle are collected.

Within the ski resorts you can qualify for both standard hotel rooms and cozy chalets. Moreover, in both cases the costs will be fantastic: the amount of 500 EUR for a wooden cottage is positioned as a mega discount. It costs about one and a half to two times cheaper to stay in a similar “dacha” near thermal springs, but it is also far from budgetary, so the majority of those who come “to the waters” prefer guesthouses.

An option from the “when you don’t know what else to spend money on” category is apartments in historical buildings, for example, in the castles of Leopoldskron (), Raffelsberger (Wachau), Knappenstöckl (Halbturn). Fans of non-standard design solutions can also have a blast: peasant barns, tree huts, and decorated Eskimo igloos are not so difficult to find. If your vacation budget begins to melt away faster than planned, it makes sense to go to hostels. True, you will have to spend the night in a shared bedroom, but for a modest 15-18 EUR it’s easier to put up with the inconveniences.

It is recommended to book rooms in Austrian pensions and hotels in advance and with an eye to the season. It's winter in Tyrol, when legions of visiting skiers flock to the icy slopes. In glamorous and historical Vienna, summer is conducive to excursions and hiking. Keep in mind that during the “rush” months, prices for accommodation soar sharply, and the number of available places is reduced to a critical limit, therefore, if you dream of being in a slightly more budget-friendly Austria, go to the Alps in June-August, and to the “musical heart of Europe” " - late autumn.

Austrian cuisine

If you think that Austrian cuisine relies exclusively on schnitzels and strudels, then you are not far from the truth - flat cutlets and sweet rolls are really respected here. On the other hand, local cafes are full of less advertised dishes that instantly replenish the calories spent on skiing and surprise the taste buds. Among them are Tafelspitz, regional variations of goulash, soups with pancake noodles, roast beef with onions, champignons and lard, roasted chicken, potato-meat gröstl and other simple but substantial delicacies.

For fans of fast carbohydrates, Austria is a promised land – confectionery shops and bakeries compete to supply the population with amazing pastries. And we are talking not only about the immoderately praised Sacher, but also about the delicious Linz Torte, vanilla nockerln, delicate Kaiserschmarrn, spicy stritzel and rum punchkrapfen. Eating floury delights, washed down with melange, Einschpenner or coffee-orange Maria Theresa, is supposed to be in cozy coffee shops. For example, in Landtmann, where Freud interpreted the waitresses' strange dreams. Or in the “Central”, where Zweig spotted his Mendel the second-hand book dealer, and Trotsky pestered the regulars with an offer to play a game of chess.

There are many haute cuisine establishments in Austria, but the most colorful catering establishments remain heurigers and schanigarten. The first are small taverns where you can taste the products of private winemakers. The latter are reminiscent of German biergartens, where the tables of visitors are taken out into the open air. True, according to local gourmets, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find old-school heuriger - tavern owners rely on tourists, which entails high price tags, and with them a decrease in the quality of food and drink. For proper gastronomy, it is better to go to peripheral places, where you can still find bushenshanki - family restaurants with their own wine and traditional specialties.

Austria is a country where the morning begins with gatherings over a cup of coffee, so coffee shops and pastry shops open their doors as early as 7 am. Lunch in city taverns is served from 12:00 to 14:00, so if you expect to refuel well with schnitzels, try to fit within this period. Or pay homage to street food - wurstel sausages, ham buns, baked chestnuts and fried potatoes. It is customary to dine in restaurants from 18:00 to 21:30, but if you intend to dine in the center of Vienna, you can stay a little longer - here dinners last until 24:00. Night bars welcome fun lovers until 01:00-02:00. The menu in tourist places is bilingual, that is, English-Austrian, but at ski resorts popular with Russians you can also find its versions in the “great mighty”.

Good to know: In many establishments in Austria, service is included in the bill, and no one will refuse a tip (trinkgeld). The standard reward amount is 5-10% of the account.

Communication and Internet

There are many operators in the Austrian communications market, but if you need a stable signal, contact the A1 and T-Mobile offices. Those who are temporarily staying in cities should make friends with virtual operators who have smaller reception areas, but lower prices, and also have hot promotions. It is convenient to purchase SIM cards in branded stores, grocery stores or at the post office, but they will all be prepaid and require activation (a combination of numbers is entered). In addition, since 2019, all Austrian license plates are registered, so be prepared to show the seller your passport.

In special cases, you can call home or call a taxi from a payphone. You have to pay for communication with coins and telephone cards, which can be found in the same place as the SIM cards themselves. By the way, if you like to save money, try to reschedule conversations for the evening - from 18:00 there is a reduced call rate. The Internet package is easy to get together with a SIM card for calls. The main thing is to carefully read the conditions listed in the advertising brochure, because some companies have limited not only traffic, but also connection speed. There are free Wi-Fi zones at train stations, cafes, shopping centers, and also at ski resorts.

Shopping

Going to Austria for trendy new clothes is not exactly wrong, but rather impractical, because there are so many more tempting activities here. Gourmets will be the first to leave, since only convinced vegans will be able to leave here without a package of rosy waffles, hyper-chocolate Sacher, marzipan Mozartkugel, apricot schnapps, ice wine, coffee and cheese. However, local farmers also took care of supporters of a healthy diet - in any grocery department you will find 100% organic oil made from giant pumpkins grown in Styria. Alpine salt, herbal tea and honey can also be considered as a vacation reminder, especially since such gifts are not very ruinous for the wallet.

Safety

Austrians are very law-abiding, so the maximum that can threaten a traveler is the possibility of losing the contents of their pockets, as well as colossal fines for behavior and non-payment of tolls. As an example: driving as a “hare”, as well as racing on toll roads without a vignette and receipt, is punishable by a fine of 100-120 EUR. Smoking in public places is also an expensive pleasure, which can empty the bank account of an uninitiated tourist from several thousand euros.

Increased caution must also be observed in the Alps. Rockfalls, avalanches and landslides, although predicted by weather forecasters, sometimes take even such a prudent nation as the Austrians by surprise, so when going hiking or snowboarding, always listen to the recommendations of guides and experienced climbers.

Customs and visa information

To gorge yourself on strudels and walk around Schönbrunn, you will have to apply for a Schengen C-type visa. To obtain the coveted pass, they collect a general Schengen package of documents, including medical insurance with coverage from 30,000 EUR. There are no restrictions on the import of currency, but amounts over 10,000 EUR are required to be declared.

Duty-free import applies to tobacco products (cigarettes - no more than 200 pcs., tobacco - up to 250 g, cigars - 50 pcs.), alcohol (drinks with a strength of more than 22% - 1 l, less than 22% - 2 l, wines - 2 l , beer - 3 l) and medicines, if there is a prescription for them.

We allow the export of cigarettes (up to 1000 pcs.), perfume (up to 250 ml), as well as wines and liqueurs in unlimited quantities. True, in the latter case there is no point in being overly zealous - there are limits on alcohol on the Russian side. Objects of art and rarities will be allowed through Austrian customs only if there are certificates indicating that the purchased paintings and figurines are not part of the cultural heritage.

Transport

The most convenient and cheapest form of transport for moving within Austria is trains. The trains run minute by minute, and you can get to any point with them. For tourists traveling through Mozart's homeland by rail, special Interrail Passes are issued, which can be purchased upon presentation of an ID card. Fans of nostalgic voyages on retro locomotives will be curious to evaluate the operating narrow-gauge railways of Zillertal, Murtau, Mariazell, Simmering and a dozen other ancient routes. Often in such tours to the past there are a lot of additional bonuses that vary depending on the region - in some places passengers are given the opportunity to “steer” a steam locomotive, and in others they boast luxurious imperial-style coupes.

Comfortable Flixbus and Eurolines buses travel around the main locations, resorts and between suburbs, where you can use Wi-Fi and charge your smartphone. In winter, vehicles serving the mountainous regions of Austria also provide free transportation of sports equipment such as snowboards and skis. Taxis are available almost everywhere. The cars are equipped with meters, so drivers have no chance of cheating. In the summer months, it is also interesting to entertain yourself with a boat excursion along the Danube (be sure to sail along the breathtaking Schlögen Loop) and lakes - Constance, Wolfgangsee, Zellersee and others.

In cities, transportation is carried out by buses, trams and in some places trolleybuses. There is a metro only in Vienna, electric trains - in the same place, and also in, and. Bicycles are also in demand - in the capital alone there are more than 1000 km of bicycle paths. You can rent a two-wheeled friend at hotels, bike shops, and also at CityBike parking lots. Proven places where you can organize an exciting bike trip are Styria (don’t miss the country roads leading to wineries and the Mürztal river bed), Upper Austria (paths trodden by Roman legionnaires), (Mozart Radweg bike route) and Burgenland.

Car rental

To save money, it is recommended to book a car in advance. You can order a vehicle both from official representative offices and from intermediaries. In this case, the age of the renter must be at least 21 years old if a budget model is chosen, and from 25 years old if we are talking about an expensive car. To enter into an agreement with the rental company, present your IDP (International Driver's License) and a credit card (sometimes two if you are renting a luxury vehicle).

Before signing documents, please read the “Insurance” section. Serious companies include insurance against accidents, theft and civil liability to third parties in the price. Traffic rules in Austria are the same as in the rest of Europe. The speed limit in populated areas is 50 km/h, outside them – 100 km/h, on highways – 130 km/h. As for fines, there is no single tariff - each federal state has its own rates. In general, speeding, using a telephone while driving (with a headset is possible), and driving while intoxicated are recognized as unreasonably expensive violations.

There are many highways in Austria, traffic on which is possible only after making a cash contribution. To travel along most toll roads, a vignette pasted on the glass (sold at gas stations) will be enough, but if you are planning to rush through the Felbertauern, Gleinalm, Brenner, Katschberg, Tauern and Karawanke tunnels, you will need to part with a few more euros. You will also have to pay extra for using the high-altitude roads Großglockner, Maltatal, Timmelsjoch and Silvretta. Some of them are considered protected sightseeing and excursion routes, driving along which is strictly permitted in the summer months and in daylight.

, therefore, for those planning to storm snow-covered jumps and halfpipes, it is advisable to look for tickets from Austrian Airlines and Pobeda.

Useful information for tourists about Austria, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Austria, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions in Austria.

Geography of Austria

Austria is a state in the center of Europe. In the north it borders with the Czech Republic, in the northeast - with Slovakia, in the east - with Hungary, in the south - with Slovenia, Italy and Switzerland, in the west - with Liechtenstein, Switzerland and Germany.

The largest rivers are the Danube, Mur, Drava, Salzach and Inn. There are many mountain lakes in the country.

Approximately 70% of the country's area is occupied by the Alps. The highest point in Austria is the double peak Großglockner (3997 m).

State

State structure

Austria is a parliamentary republic. The head of state is the Federal President, elected for 6 years. The government is headed by the Federal Chancellor. Members of the government are appointed by the president. The Austrian Parliament is a bicameral Federal Assembly, which consists of the Federal Council and the National Council.

Language

Official language: German (with Austrian pronunciation)

The speech of an Austrian differs from that of a German both in vocabulary, pronunciation, stress and rhythm. Local dialects are especially pronounced among rural residents of the Alpine regions, whom Germans have difficulty understanding.

Religion

About 78% of the population are Catholics, 5% are Protestants, 2% are Muslims, 12% are atheists.

Currency

International name: EUR

The most favorable exchange rate in banks.

Foreign convertible currencies, traveler's checks, etc. exchanged for euros at all banks and post offices at the official rate set by the Vienna Exchange.

At exchange offices at train stations and airports, a small premium is added to this rate for carrying out an exchange operation, but they are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

History of Austria

The history of the country began more than 100 thousand years ago. It was then that the first person appeared on the territory of Austria, ethnically reminiscent of the inhabitants of the modern Caucasus. The attack of Aryan tribes on Europe in the 2nd–3rd millennium BC led to the settlement of the regions of future Austria by the ancestors of modern Albanians, then they were replaced by the Gauls. In the 1st century AD, Roman legions conquered Austria and turned its territory into a remote Roman province for almost four centuries, until the Great Migration began in the 4th century. Over the next four centuries, Huns, Avars, Alans and Slavs visited here, and finally, in the 9th century, the Germans settled here, establishing the power of their kingdom.

In 1156, Austria achieved significant independence and began to expand its borders. Apart from the temporary conquest of the country by the Czechs in the second half of the 13th century, its subsequent history can be viewed as a continuous foreign policy triumph. In the 15th century, the Austrian dukes became emperors of the “Holy Roman Empire”; in the 16th century, they became kings of Spain with huge overseas colonies. The 18th century marked the peak of the power of this state (since 1804 it was called the Austrian Empire). In addition to its own lands, the empire owned almost all of Italy, Belgium, Romania, a significant part of Poland, Serbia, Western Ukraine, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia and Slovenia.

The defeats suffered during the Napoleonic wars, and then the unsuccessful struggle with Prussia for hegemony in the German states, significantly undermined the international prestige of the empire, which, from the second half of the 19th century, was forced to follow the lead of German foreign policy (in 1867 the Austrian Empire was transformed into a dual monarchy - Austria -Hungary). This led her to an unprecedented disaster caused by the defeat of the Austrian troops in the First World War.

In 1918, the great power disintegrated into independent nation states, and Austria became a republic. The new democratic government set a course for maintaining neutrality and improving the well-being of citizens. But the occupation of Nazi Germany from 1938–1945 led to new terrible destruction and casualties, which slowed down the development of the country. However, at present, thanks to fruitful cooperation with Germany and a number of the most advanced countries in the world, Austria has turned into a prosperous corner of the planet.

Austria map

Popular attractions

Tourism in Austria

Where to stay

Austria has a highly developed tourism infrastructure; it is easy to find a comfortable accommodation option for any type of vacation: excursion, active, recreational. Many hotels, boarding houses, private houses, apartments, chalets, campsites, the possibility of accommodation in the private sector, in chain hotels, and even in palaces and castles make holidays in Austria convenient and enjoyable.

There are several hotel chain corporations operating in Austria, for example, Hilton, Austria Trend, Bristol, Mariott, Renaissanse, Ibis, etc. All of them offer a high standard of comfort and service.

Lovers of luxury and romance have the opportunity to stay in castles and palaces turned into upscale hotels - Schlosshotel. Guests here will find luxurious furnished rooms consisting of several rooms and a romantic atmosphere of antiquity. Often these hotels also offer high-quality wellness services.

At resorts in Austria, accommodation is possible in balneological centers. Comfortable accommodation here is combined with a variety of wellness procedures; consultation with specialists is possible - doctors of various profiles, nutritionists and cosmetologists.

Gasthof type boarding houses are very popular in Austria. Most often this is a family establishment with small cozy rooms and an inexpensive restaurant offering local cuisine. Some guesthouses located in popular places for active recreation are equipped with rooms for storing sports equipment, saunas, swimming pools, etc.

Young people often prefer accommodation in the Jugendherberge hostel. This is an economical option for overnight stay. For those traveling by car with trailers or tents, there is the possibility of spending the night in special parking lots and campsites.

Recently, rural tourism with accommodation on farms or special rural hotels has become very popular. Often they offer not only breakfast, but half board or full board. In addition, rental services for boats, bicycles, sports equipment, etc. are offered.

Popular hotels

Excursions and attractions in Austria

The nine federal states of Austria are united into one whole, but differ greatly in natural landscapes, cultural settings and attractions.

Vienna is the capital of Austria, the imperial residence, a modern city with a rich cultural life. Here you can see many palaces and monuments that testify to the city's turbulent historical past, such as the Hofburg and Schönbrunn. Numerous museum collections showcase Austria's rich cultural heritage. Cozy restaurants and cafeterias await visitors; the doors of bars and clubs do not close until the morning. Numerous festivals, opera and theater performances, church and secular holidays keep tourists busy.

Vienna is surrounded by the federal state of Lower Austria, famous for its vineyards, dense forests, caves and hills. The Wachau Valley is a popular place of pilgrimage for tourists who want to explore the beauty of the Baroque monasteries of Melk and Gottweig and taste local wines.

Vorarlberg is located in the western part of the country and is full of natural attractions - mountains, glaciers, passes, lakes. An opera festival is held annually on the shores of Lake Constance, attracting a lot of tourists from all over the world.

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol, famous for its mountain landscapes, valleys and lakes. The baroque architecture of Innsbruck combined with the surrounding mountains makes this city unique.

Carinthia is a lake district in the southern part of Austria. Magnificent landscapes frame its capital, Klagenfurt, as well as the many medieval castles and monasteries that remain in this region of Austria.

Salzburg is the city of Mozart and its annual music festival. The majestic castle above the city, numerous churches, palaces and museums attract many tourists here at any time of the year.

The nature of Styria is extremely diverse - these include the snow-covered peaks of Dachstein, and gentle hills covered with vineyards, caves, endless forests and many fortresses and fortified monasteries. Graz, the capital of Styria, is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Central Europe.

Salzkammergut is an area famous for its lakes and health resorts, located in Styria and Upper Austria. On the banks of the Danube and Inn rise majestic monasteries - Kremsmunster, Steyr, St. Florian. Nearby, in Bad Ischl, there is the former summer residence of the emperor. And Linz is famous for its numerous museums and the oldest church in Austria.

Burgenland is the easternmost state of Austria. Here is the Neusiedlersee-Seewinkel National Park, a unique habitat for rare birds. The capital of Burgenland is Eisenstadt, the city of the great composer Joseph Haydn.

Austrian cuisine

Surely, when you hear the word “Austria” you will immediately think of Vienna, the waltz, and, of course, the delicious Viennese apple strudel, because Viennese pastries are one of the most luxurious in the world.

About Austrian cuisine, first of all, it should be said that it is very traditional, in the sense of its regionality. Tyrolean cuisine has a strong Italian influence, while Salzburg has German influence; but in general there is a lot in common with the cuisines of Eastern Europe (the imperial past, after all): with Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovenia. And also with Turkey. This is due to long-term military conflicts. In particular, the famous strudel (or strudel - an apple roll made from very thin dough) is of Turkish origin, as is the Viennese coffee culture (Kaffehaus). The influence of other countries is visible even in the names: Salzburg dumplings, Viennese strudel, Linzer torte, Burgenland kripfels, etc.

Today, Austrian cuisine remains one of the few that necessarily includes first courses in the lunch menu. And for the second - meat again, most often beef or pork. The Austrians themselves, in order to introduce their cuisine, recommend trying boiled beef in the old style, Beuschel - a delicacy from the heart and lungs of domestic animals, Kuttelgrostel - tripe and Buchteln - pies with filling. And of course goulash (for example, from Jerusalem artichoke), perhaps the most popular dish in Austria. Instead of seasonings and spices, they prefer onion rings fried in oil.

Due to the distance from the sea, fish is not very popular, except for river fish. But carp is a must for Christmas. And the tourist gastronomic clichés are, of course, Wiener schnitzel, Sachertorte and Austrian beer.

Tips

The tip is 5% of the order value; in large restaurants it is customary to leave 10% of the bill. The waiter will definitely return the change for the bill, and after that you need to leave a tip. You can leave small coins in bars and cafes. In street cafes they do not give tips. It is customary for the taxi driver to leave 10% over the meter; you can simply leave change from the change.

Visa

Office hours

Museum opening hours vary from museum to museum. The day off for museums is usually Monday.

Standard store opening hours are from 9.30 or 10 to 18 hours. Break is from 12 to 13 hours or 13.30. Many grocery stores and bakeries open early in the morning - at 7 or 7.30. Large central stores in large cities are open without interruption. On Saturday, shops are open until 12 or 1 pm.

The traditional day off for hairdressers is Monday.

Banks are open on weekdays. Opening hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Thursday banks close at 17.30.

Purchases

Foreign tourists permanently residing outside the EU, when purchasing goods worth more than 75 euros, can receive a VAT refund (more details) (in Austria, VAT is 32%), if these goods are exported to countries that are not members of the EU.

To get a refund of approximately 13% of the price you need:
1. When purchasing, ask for a Tax-free receipt along with an envelope in stores that have a silver-blue “TAX FREE-Free Shopping” sign.
2. This check is completely filled out by the seller.
3. Before departure, the Tax-free check, original invoice and goods must be presented to customs. The customs officer puts a stamp on the check. Attention: no refund will be given without a customs stamp!
4. Money can be returned directly at the payment points at airports, train stations and border checkpoints, which are indicated on the Tax-free envelope. On most art, collectibles, books and food items, returns minus commission are 6-8% of the purchase price.

Vienna - Questions and Answers

Burgenland - Questions and Answers