Burgtheater

The Burgtheater, which is also known as Burg or "Haus am Ring" (House at Ring), is situated in Vienna's first district (Innerstadt). In 1741, Empress Maria Theresia gave an old dance parlour to Sellier, a theatre company. In 1888, Sellier moved into a nearby house designed and built by Gottfried Semper and Hasenauer. Since then, this building was used as the National Theatre.

The beautiful facade of the Burgtheater is adorned with statues of famous writers of Austria like Goethe and Schiller and some allegoric figures depicting love and hatred.

The Burgtheater obtained a worldwide reputation for brilliant dramatic art and is one of the first theaters of German speaking countries. Over the years, its theatrical company of more or less regular members has worked out a traditional style and speech characteristic of Burgtheater performances.