Kärntner Straße

Together with the Graben and Kohlmarkt, the Kärntner Straße forms Vienna's so-called "Golden U" of inner-city shopping streets, which offer upscale stores and are pedestrian zones.

[2] The name of the street refers to the southern Austrian state of Carinthia, which lies in the direction of the aforementioned port cities.

During the 19th century, the Kärnter Straße was widened from 9 to 17 meters, which resulted in many new historicist buildings being erected, among them several palaces (many of which have endured until the present day).

The Kärntner Straße experienced an economic golden age, hosting several distinguished stores and hotels and being one of the Viennese high society's favored places.

[4] During the Second World War, the Kärntner Straße was severely damaged, being one of the hardest-hit locations in the city center.