There are many things to see in Vienna, and walking through the city is like lifting the veil of time and stepping back into the Old World. It is home to St. Stephen's Cathedral, built in 1147, found in the heart of the city and so famous that no trip to the country would be complete without it. The Vienna Opera House, on the ither hand, is found on the first district, south of Kdrntnerstrasse. It was built from 1861 to 1869 by August von Sicardsburg and Eduard van der N|ll built the Court Opera House from 1861 to 1869.
The Belvedere Palace, built by the famous Baroque architect J. L. Von Hildebrant for Prince Eugene of Savoy, is breathtaking. The Hofburg is a remnant of the country's Medieval glory, when the Habsburgs were in power and Vienna was feared (and admired) all over the region. So is the Schvnbrunn Palace, used by the Habsburg rulers as a summer residence, and now considered to be one of the country's most important historical treasures.
Don't forget the Karlkirsche, the largest Baroque cathedral in the northern Alps. It was first constructed in 1715, by the renowned Austrian architect Johann Fischer von Erlach. Another important historical stopover is the National Theater, called the Burgtheatre. It used to be an abandoned dance house, until the Empress Maria Theresia turned it over to the theater group, Sellier in 1741. Since then it has set the stage for some of the country's most memorable performances.
While Austria is best known for its historical buildings, there are quite a few relatively modern structures that show that it is still a major center of arts and culture-and that it continues to create spaces that will be admired and enjoyed for centuries to come. One example is the Anchor Clock (built in the early 1900s) and famous for its Art Nouveau design. It is found on one of the oldest squares in the city and its designs were inspired by the painter Franz von Matsch. Another must-see is the Hofburg, affectionately called the Concrete Needle by the residents. It offers the best view of the city, and at its peak (it stands over 200 meters high) you can take lovely photos of the Danube and the cluster of lights that surround it. You should also stop by the Haas House, the city's pride. You can see the images of St. Stephen's cathedral reflecting off its glass fagade. Amazing.
Buy souvenirs and fresh fruits at the Naschmarket, one of the city's institutions (it's been operating since the 16th century). Or you can relax at the Prater, a fair that has sports facilities and a wonderful picnic area. Ride the Ferris wheel for a great view of the city. Children and adults alike will also like the Schvnbrunn Zoo is the world's oldest and only baroque zoo, just south of the Habsburgs' summer residence. If you have time, you can also go to the Spanish Riding School (the oldest in the world), and see classic dressage at its most purest.
Most, if not all, homeowners have a toolbox, and DIY (do-it-yourself) junkies can't live without one. However, because tools can be so cheap and varied nowadays, there's a very strong temptation to just grab one of everything at the hardware store and then say that you're getting ready for any eventuality. This results in a cluttered garage or tool area and, in many cases, wasted money. Below are some of the bare necessities that your tool box should contain. While they may not prepare you for post-tornado house rebuilding, they will certainly suffice for fixing that noisy door in the kitchen or for the regular maintenance jobs around the house.
The Usual Stuff
These are the things that everyone has in their sets, the contents of the usual toolbox. That's another way of saying ?if you don't have the following, get one now.? These are tools that even your grandfather had, so you'd probably be familiar with them already.
Screwdrivers are absolutely necessary tools. They come in two general variations (the minus and the plus, formally known as the flat or straight and the Philips, respectively), but can come in a wide range of sizes. Just get the usual, fixed-blade, no-frills models unless you're expecting to do some specialized work. The teeny tiny versions of screwdrivers are called precision sets and are handy to have around.
Hammers, like screwdrivers, come in a variety of sizes for different jobs. Two should probably be enough for your needs. You could get a medium size (usually 16 oz.) for regular jobs and a larger size (usually 32 oz.) for the heavy duty work.
For plumbing and working with fasteners, you're going to need pliers and wrenches. Usually, a couple of each (one of each type, snub-nose and long-nose, for the pliers) will do. You can even go the extra mile and get a wrench set, which has about 10 to 15 pieces.
Saws are obviously necessary tools if you plan to maintain any wood or metal. For cutting metal, a hacksaw and a couple of cold chisels will do. For wood, a chisel and a saw will suffice. To save on space, you could get one of those handles that have a base compatible with removable saw blades. The blades and the handles themselves are small, and it's a great little multitool.
Your testing and measuring instruments are critical for determining when you've done a good enough job. Make sure to always pack some measuring tape, measuring tape, a measuring square, a level, a voltage tester and an amp meter. Consumable items are also important, so you should always have a couple of pencils, electrical tape, sealant, lubricant, and an array of screws, nuts, nails, and bolts on stock.
Not-So-Usual Necessities
Now that we've gone through the usual contents of the toolbox, let's cover some of the other tool necessities. These are the items your granddad probably didn't think of putting in the toolbox, but are still ones you should have yourself. Of special mention here are multitools, which have recently become very popular and, more importantly, more affordable. They're those multi-armed trinkets that have several attachments on them, hence, the name and their ability to do several tasks.
Vise-grips and a utility knife automatically fall into this category. They're great for any number of tasks and should be a staple in your toolbox. Have at least two vise-grips (plumbing jobs and clamping is usually easier with two), while a six-inch knife should be good enough. A right angle drive helps you get your fasteners into tight places and impossible spaces and, while not absolutely necessary, will be convenient to have around for several tasks.
Cleaning materials have recently become toolbox mainstays, and you should always have some, too. A bit of anti-rust agent (WD-40 works great) and a toothbrush are absolute necessities for cleaning and maintenance.
Both Philip Nicosia & Bent Andersen are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Philip Nicosia has sinced written about articles on various topics from Site Promotion, Site promotion and Phones. is the webmaster of an online resource centre cove. Philip Nicosia's top article generates over 368000 views. to your Favourites.
Bent Andersen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Home Management, Vienna Travel and Home Management. Bent Andersen is a DIY kind of guy, who knows his way around most home repairs and tools. He maintains a small website about .. Bent Andersen's top article generates over 3600 views. to your Favourites.