In the middle of Vienna’s Stadtpark stands one of the most famous monuments in Vienna, which symbolizes the city of music better than almost anything else: the golden Johann Strauss monument by sculptor Edmund Heller. The Strauss Monument depicts the composer as the world imagines him: as a violin-playing waltz king standing in front of his orchestra. However, all that glitters is not gold: the core of the figure is made of bronze, which is gold-plated on the outside. Below it is an inscription plaque and behind it is a marble arch decorated with leaves.

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Unveiling 22 years after Strauss’ death

The monument was erected after the death of Johann Strauss on the initiative of the Johann Strauss Memorial Committee, which was founded in 1904. The committee planned to finance the monument with the proceeds from a number of concerts. However, funding the monument proved difficult due to the First World War and the construction of the statue of Johann Strauss in the Stadtpark was delayed. It was only after the Vienna City Council pledged its support that the monument was erected and unveiled on June 21, 1921. The Vienna Philharmonic played Johann Strauss’ waltz “On the Beautiful Blue Danube” at the unveiling.

Johann Strauss II lived from 1825 to 1899. He is considered the waltz king par excellence because of his focus on ballroom music. He also wrote the music for operettas that are still performed today, including “Die Fledermaus” and “Der Zigeunerbaron”.

© Österreich-Werbung/Sebastian Burziwal

Other exciting Strauss locations in Vienna:

• Johann Strauss’ original apartment on Praterstrasse
• The Johann Strauss Tomb at the Central Cemetery
• House of Strauss (where there is also a replica of the monument)