Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station, Vienna

Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station, Vienna

The master of Viennese Jugendstil, Otto Wagner was appointed architectural supervisor for much of the city's underground system in the 1890s, and the stylish pair of underground railway exit pavilions he designed next to Karlsplatz are among the city’s most appealing buildings. Well known for their modern look, floral motifs, curving rooflines, and particularly for their exposed steel framework (in keeping with Wagner’s belief in architectural honesty), they've achieved the perfect melding of form and function for the architectural world.

Having opened to the general public in 1899, the original old line was converted to the newer UBahn rail system in the 1980s. For this purpose, plans were made to destroy the old Stadtbahn station; however, a cry of outrage from the Viennese community saved the two pavilions. In order to make them function as part of the modern rail system, they were first completely dismantled, then re-assembled on a structure that was 7 feet taller than before. The two pavilions face each other: one is now a quirky café; the other hosts an exhibit on Wagner's most famous work, with a model of the architect's stunning Church at Steinhof as its centerpiece.

Tip:
Around the Karlsplatz you can also find the grand University of Technology, the splendid Baroque Karlskirche (Saint Charles' Church), the Vienna City Museum and the startlingly original Secession Building – a key architectural icon of Vienna. In the summer, Karlsplatz is a great place to sit under the trees of Resselpark.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Vienna. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station on Map

Sight Name: Karlsplatz Stadtbahn Station
Sight Location: Vienna, Austria (See walking tours in Vienna)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Vienna, Austria

Create Your Own Walk in Vienna

Create Your Own Walk in Vienna

Creating your own self-guided walk in Vienna is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Old Town Chocolate Stores

Old Town Chocolate Stores

Vienna is famous for its love for sweet indulgence. And when it comes to chocolate, it stands tall among other locally-made mouth-watering confections.

Vienna's chocolate scene is deeply rooted in a rich culinary tradition. It has been sustained by several historic chocolate houses, located in the Old Town, that have been serving decadent treats for generations.

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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles
Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour II

Vienna's Art Nouveau Architecture Tour II

Characterized by ornamental and organic designs, flowing lines, and harmonious integration of various artistic elements, Vienna's Art Nouveau architecture was aimed at breaking away from historical styles and embracing a more modern, decorative approach. The city's architects of that era sought to create an absolute work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk), where all aspects of a building's...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Vienna Introduction Walking Tour I

Vienna Introduction Walking Tour I

A city of green parks, opulent architecture, elegant shopping, crowded theaters, and boulevards for leisurely sauntering — Austria's capital Vienna is rightfully regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The origin of its name is subject to a debate in which, some say, it came from vedunia ("forest stream"), which subsequently produced the New High German “wien”...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Johann Strauss Walking Tour

Johann Strauss Walking Tour

Throughout the entire 19th century, Vienna was a hub of cultural and musical activity, particularly in the realm of classical music, to which Johann Strauss and his father, Johann Strauss Sr., contributed greatly.

Strauss, the son had a personal connection with Vienna deeply rooted in its cultural fabric. Not only was he born here and spent most of his life, but also he achieved tremendous...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Famous Homes of Vienna

Famous Homes of Vienna

Throughout centuries, the Austrian capital has been home to numerous famous individuals, from creative people of arts to thinkers, scientists, and politicians. Vienna's illustrious history is closely intertwined with the abodes of its celebrated residents, where artistic virtuosos and luminaries of their time found solace and inspiration.

The often modest apartments of Vienna's famous...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles
Old Town Churches Walking Tour

Old Town Churches Walking Tour

"Vienna is the city of miracles and music" – Whoever said that must have emphasized Vienna's close association with the Christian faith. The intertwining of Christian heritage and artistry in the Austrian capital finds expression primarily in its magnificent churches.

Sitting at "the crossroads of Christian traditions", Vienna is home to various Christian...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.9 Km or 2.4 Miles

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