Graben Street

The famous Viennese shopping area dates back to the times of the Roman Empire when there was a long moat protecting the city. In the 12th century, the area was turned into a residential one and the Graben became a proper street. Later on, it was used as a market street and by the end of the 18th century, it became a fashion district. Today it is a pedestrian zone and one of the most popular boulevards in Vienna (and is still strongly connected with luxurious fashion brand shops).

If you are visiting Vienna during the Christmas period, be sure to walk down the Graben so you can admire all the imposing Christmas decorations. During your walk, do not forget to notice the famous Plague Column and the fountains. There are also several interesting buildings worth noticing on Graben Street (e.g. Otto Wagner’s Ankerhaus, the baroque Palais Bartolotti-Partenfeld or the Grabenhof).