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Riesenrad
(Giant Ferris Wheel) |
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One of Vienna’s landmarks since its
construction 105 years ago is the Wiener Riesenrad (Giant Ferris Wheel).
This landmark, floating above the rooftops of the city, is easily a
match for St. Stephen’s Cathedral. |
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The Riesenrad has always been typical.
At its inception it was a popular attraction, being above “Venice in
Vienna”. After the Second World War, the Riesenrad as well as St.
Stephen’s Cathedral and the Wiener Staatsoper, were among the first
buildings and institutions to be reconstructed. It demonstrates the
character of the city and the perseverance personifies the Viennese. |
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| History |
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| 1897 |
The Riesenrad is constructed on the Golden
Jubilee of Emperor Franz Josef I. Golden Jubilee and instantly
becomes landmark of the Viennese skyline. |
| 1898 |
To bring her family’s poverty to public
attention, the Viennese Marie Kindl hanged herself out of the
window of a carriage during a ride. |
| 1914 |
Shooting a scene for a film, Madame Solange
d’Atalide, a successful circus director and horsewoman, sat on
her horse on the roof of a carriage while the Wheel made a
circuit. |
| 1916 |
Assignation for a judicial demolition permit,
which was never attended to due to shortage of money. |
| Ab 1920 |
More and more US-American film producers use
the Riesenrad, with its panorama of Vienna in the background, as
a motif. |
| 1944 |
The Riesenrad is ablaze. |
| 1945 |
Reconstruction of the Riesenrad – at the same
time as the reconstruction of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the
Staatsoper and the Burgtheater. |
| 1947 |
Return to service. |
| 1961 |
Acquisition of the Riesenrad by Dr. Karl Lamac.
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| A new era |
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| The Riesenrad now shines all night long.. From 1
May, it is a new landmark in the night sky above the roofs of
Vienna. It has been newly covered in light by light-architect
Patrick Woodroffe. Glowing in a mellow gold colour, the Riesenrad
lives up to its name, while the pylons are bathed in cool and clear
silver. Where previously fluorescent lights shone, now a warm,
amber-coloured light dominates. In fact, because of the interplay
with the adjacent buildings of the area, there is an impression of a
golden light moving around the Giant Wheel. Not only is the new
Riesenrad an artwork of light, it also features a visible benefit.
As soon as it gets dark, the Riesenrad “strikes” the clock hour;
always two minutes before the actual hour, the Wheel comes to “life”
and flashes once for each hour of the clock – eight times at 20.00,
nine times at 21.00. The Riesenrad is an immense light-clock, which
can be seen almost anywhere in the city. |
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| Technical details |
| Measures and weight:
| Highest point of the Riesenrad |
64,75 m above the ground |
| Diameter of the wheel |
60,96 m (=200 Engl. feet) |
| Outer diameter of the wheel construction |
55,78 m |
| Inner diameter of the wheel construction |
49,68 m |
| Axis of the Riesenrad |
10.78m long, 0.5m thick, 16.3t in weight |
| Weight of the entire wheel construction |
244,85 t |
| Total weight of all iron constructions |
430,05 t |
| Speed |
0,75 m/sec = 2,7 km/h |
Number of carriages:
| until 1944 |
30 carriages |
| from 1947 |
15 carriages for safety reasons. |
The carriages bear the numbers 2, 4, 6 etc. to 30, carriage no. 30
has been equipped as a deluxe carriage since 1987.
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map |
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| further Information about |
| Giant
Ferris Wheel |
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