There are just some things that are part of Vienna like breathing. And one of those things are the Viennese so-called Fiakers, or horse-drawn carriages.
Since I can remember, those proud and beautiful horses pull carriages with people from all walks of life in them, both locals and foreigners, to show them the beauty of our capital city in a bit of an unconvential way.
You will have that feeling of past times long gone by, bursting in your chest, while you excitedly watch the rhythm of the city as it breathes each day, in and out, enjoying life at its own pace and time.
The term “fiaker” actually originates from the French and refers to the hackney carriage stand in the Parisian Rue de Saint Fiacre. In 1720, the carriages – which had previously been referred to as “Janschky” coaches in Vienna – were renamed “fiakers” (and numbered). Then, afterwards, the carriage trade really began to boom: more than 1,000 fiakers daily were on the road in Vienna between 1860 and 1900. The carriage drivers were often characters that were known throughout the city and also sometimes performed as singers (kinda like the gondoliers in Venice). They were appreciated for their discretion, especially when one or the other – shall we say – fine gentleman was amusing himself in the fiaker with the lady of his heart :). Probably most famous among them was Josef Bratfisch, the royal coachman of Crown Prince Rudolf, who brought the prince’s lover Mary Vetsera to Mayerling in 1889, where both lives found a tragic end.
Even today, it is impossible to imagine the cityscape of Vienna without the Viennese fiakers.
And where can you find this stands now to take your family or your special someone on a ride, you might ask yourself? Well, you can find fiaker stands in pretty much all of the important areas of the Inner city of Vienna, so: Stephansplatz, Heldenplatz (occasionally Michaelerplatz), Albertinaplatz, Petersplatz and Burgtheater. Just stop by any of those places we just listed (during summer as well as winter time since the fiakers roam Vienna the whole year round), see which of the beautiful horses speaks t you ;), and off you go!
The short tour (approx. 20 min. through the centre of the Old City) costs € 55 (about $72); the long tour (approx. 40 min. through the Ringstrasse and the Old City) € 80 (about $105). We know they are a little bit on the pricier side, but then again, to do a fiaker tour is perfect (!) for a date or also to take your kids on a tour they will never forget. Me and my brother certainly never have and made some of our fondest and earliest memories of Vienna, riding through the city while sitting on the laps of our parents and being tucked into a warm and cozy blanket, all on a cute pink Manner fiaker being drawn by two white horses named Franz and Heidi.
And here’s a special tip: If you would like to enjoy a romantic journey, you should ask the fiaker coach for a “porcelain ride”, which is a particularly calm and steady drive through the city and away from the major tourist spots. This was provided long ago to transport precious porcelain safely from one place to another. Today, it’s a nice way to enchant your beloved.
Fine Art Print by:
http://www.toddwilliamsfineart.com/html/collections_LandscapeViennaAndPrague.shtml
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