The heart and historical city of Vienna, the Innere Stadt (Inner City), was once surrounded by walls and open fields (in order to deny cover to potential attackers). The walls were razed in 1857, making it possible for the actual city to expand and eventually merge with the surrounding villages. In their place, a broad boulevard called the Ringstrasse was built. Along the Ringstrasse were imposing public and private buildings, monuments, and parks. These buildings include the Rathaus (town hall), the Burgtheater, the University, the Parliament, and the State Opera, which was burned in 1945 and reopened in 1955.

It is also the location of the Hofburg, the former imperial palace. The mainly Gothic Saint Stephens Cathedral is located in the center of the 1st district. Beyond the Ringstrasse was another wall called the Linienwall, which was torn down in the second part of the 19th century to make room for expanding suburbs. It is now a street called Gürtel (belt). Industries are located mostly in the southern and eastern districts. The Innere Stadt is not situated at the Danube, but at the Donaukanal (Danube Canal). Vienna’s second district is located in between the canal and the Danube River. Across the Danube are the newest districts, which include the location of the International Center.