Page 84 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide 2016 - Austria

82  VIENNA AREA B Y AREA

3 Burgtheater

The Burgtheater is one of the most prestigious stages in the German-
speaking world. The original theatre, built in Maria Theresa’s reign,
was replaced in 1888 by today’s Italian Renaissance-style building by
Karl von Hasenauer and Gottfried Semper. In 1897, after the discovery
that the auditorium had several seats with no view of the stage, it
closed for refurbishment. A bomb devastated the building in 1945,
leaving only the side wings and Grand Staircases intact, but
subsequent restoration was so successful that today
the damage is hard to see.

Busts of Playwrights
Lining the walls of the Grand
Staircases are busts of playwrights
whose works are still performed
here, including this one of Johann
Nepomuk Nestroy (left) by Hans Knesl.

. Grand Staircases
The two majestic gala
staircases in the side wings
are the only original parts
of the building that escaped
destruction in World War II. Main entrance on
Universitätsring
KEY
1 Ceiling frescoes by the Klimt
brothers, Gustav and Ernst, and
Franz Matsch cover the north Foyer
and south wings. The walls of the
curving first-floor
2 Statue of the muse, foyer are lined with
Melpomene the portraits of
3 Statue of the muse, Thalia famous actors
and actresses.
For hotels and restaurants in this area see p293 and pp312–13

082-083_EW_Austria.indd 82 03/09/15 5:41 pm
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Starsight template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.8)
Date 15th May 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm