The first service on the new engine was now due, as directed by the Mercedes factory when selling their car. This gave me the opportunity to drive around in Vienna and to see the industrial part of the great city.
The meandering Danube adds immensely to the beauty of the landscape. According to a recent report, Vienna was selected as the third best city in the world to live in. A global study of 127 cities undertaken by the prestigious Economist Intelligence Unit had put only two cities ahead for the quality of life: Vancouver in Canada and Geneva in Switzerland.
Surrounded by mountains, snow has played an important role in the past history of the old city.
The Roman Empire established a military camp in the area covered by the city centre and the settlement was raised to the status of a municipium in 212. The Roman stayed until the 5th century.
Vienna grew to be an important trading site in the 11th century. As capital of the Babenberg dynasty and subsequently of the Austrian Habsburgs, it became one of Europe's cultural hubs. During the 19th century it was the capital of the Austrian Empire and later Austria-Hungary.
For centuries the Ottomans, Islamic Turks, had been a constant threat. They controlled the Balkan area and besieged Vienna in the historically famous episode of 1529. Their army had arrived in late September with many of the soldiers in poor health due to the privations of their long march into Austrian territory. This had left them short of camels and heavy equipment, and also running out of fodder for their horses. Casualties, sickness, and desertions were taking a toll on their ranks.
The sultan despatched three richly dressed Austrian prisoners as emissaries to negotiate the city's surrender. However, they were returned without any response. The Turks encircled Vienna, inflicted severe damage on the surrounding vineyards, and withdrew after 25 days. The defenders took their deliverance as a miracle.
Unusual heavy snow turned the Turkish retreat into a disaster, losing much of their baggage and artillery.
The second episode involving raid by Ottoman Turkey was in the 17th century. Known as the Battle of Vienna (1683), it resulted in a decisive victory for 'Holy League' (Polish-Austrian-German forces) against the Ottoman army.
The most recent siege was in 1945 when Vienna offensive was successfully launched by the Soviets. It lasted for about two weeks before the city fell to the surrounding army near the end of WW2.
