Landstraße: Hundertwasser and the Stadtpark

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Hundertwasserhaus

   The reason you came: Friedensreich Hundertwasser's 1985 social housing, where no two windows match, the floors undulate so 'the foot can read the ground', and trees grow out of the walls. It's people's homes, so you admire it from the street corner — but the corner is enough. Look up; the gold onion domes are easy to miss.

   01

   Hundertwasserhaus

   The reason you came: Friedensreich Hundertwasser's 1985 social housing, where no two windows match, the floors undulate so 'the foot can read the ground', and trees grow out of the walls. It's people's homes, so you admire it from the street corner — but the corner is enough. Look up; the gold onion domes are easy to miss.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Kalke Village

   Directly opposite the house, the same architect turned an old tyre shop into a wandering little arcade of uneven floors, columns and a fountain. It's frankly a souvenir trap — but the floor that tilts under you is the cheapest way to feel what Hundertwasser was on about. Walk through; buy nothing.

   02

   Kalke Village

   Directly opposite the house, the same architect turned an old tyre shop into a wandering little arcade of uneven floors, columns and a fountain. It's frankly a souvenir trap — but the floor that tilts under you is the cheapest way to feel what Hundertwasser was on about. Walk through; buy nothing.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   KunstHausWien

   A few streets on, Hundertwasser's museum of his own work, in a converted Thonet furniture factory he reskinned in the same wonky, colour-blocked style. Now the city's museum of photography too. Go in for the permanent Hundertwasser floor; the building is the exhibit even before you buy a ticket.

   03

   KunstHausWien

   A few streets on, Hundertwasser's museum of his own work, in a converted Thonet furniture factory he reskinned in the same wonky, colour-blocked style. Now the city's museum of photography too. Go in for the permanent Hundertwasser floor; the building is the exhibit even before you buy a ticket.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Wien river promenade

   Drop down to the *Wienfluss*, the small canalised river that runs in a stone channel toward the centre. It's not pretty in the postcard sense, but the walk along it is quiet and direct, and it delivers you to the Otto Wagner portals at the edge of the park. Follow the water upstream.

   04

   Wien river promenade

   Drop down to the *Wienfluss*, the small canalised river that runs in a stone channel toward the centre. It's not pretty in the postcard sense, but the walk along it is quiet and direct, and it delivers you to the Otto Wagner portals at the edge of the park. Follow the water upstream.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Stadtpark river portals

   Where the Wien river enters the *Stadtpark*, Otto Wagner built a pair of Jugendstil pavilions and balustrades in white stone and green iron — 1900s civic engineering dressed as art. Most people walk straight past them to the statues; you should stop. This is the quiet wonder of the walk.

   05

   Stadtpark river portals

   Where the Wien river enters the *Stadtpark*, Otto Wagner built a pair of Jugendstil pavilions and balustrades in white stone and green iron — 1900s civic engineering dressed as art. Most people walk straight past them to the statues; you should stop. This is the quiet wonder of the walk.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Johann Strauss monument

   The gilded Strauss, fiddle under his chin, inside a marble arch of swooning nudes — the most photographed statue in Vienna and worth the cliché. The *Kursalon* nearby still runs the waltz concerts the park was half-built to host. End on a bench by the pond; the U-Bahn is at the gate.

   06

   Johann Strauss monument

   The gilded Strauss, fiddle under his chin, inside a marble arch of swooning nudes — the most photographed statue in Vienna and worth the cliché. The *Kursalon* nearby still runs the waltz concerts the park was half-built to host. End on a bench by the pond; the U-Bahn is at the gate.

   ◉Street View