Welcome to the grand Burgtheater, one of Vienna’s most important cultural landmarks and the world’s largest German-speaking theatre. Inaugurated in 1888, it’s Europe’s second oldest theatre, built to replace the former Court Theatre founded under Empress Maria Theresa, Marie-Antoinette’s mother. The architects blended Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque elements to create the stunning masterpiece you see today... But at the end of World War II, a bomb destroyed its main structure, leaving only its wings intact. Its major restoration effort lasted 10 years, and the result is a perfect copy of the former structure. If you want to explore the inside, you’ll need a ticket — but it’s absolutely worth it! You’ll discover the grand staircase and gorgeous ceilings painted by Gustav and Ernst Klimt, along with Franz Matsch. The theatre stands on the Ring, a circular boulevard that surrounds Vienna’s old town, now considered the city’s most beautiful avenue. You’ll find even more of Vienna’s most iconic monuments along the Ring.