Graben Street

Welcome to the luxurious and elegant Graben Street, lined with high-end shops, ice cream parlours, and cafés housed in historic buildings. You won’t be surprised to know that this is Vienna’s main shopping street. It dates back to Roman times, when the Vindobon military camp settled here. Back then, the camp was surrounded by a ditch, later filled in during the 12th century as the city expanded. This expansion saw the creation of Graben Street, which became Vienna’s main thoroughfare. During the Renaissance, property owners started decorating their façades with Baroque details. In 1753, a market set up shop, followed by a Christmas market in 1772. Luxury boutiques finally started appearing in the early 19th century. In 1974, this became the city’s first pedestrian street, and it’s been a popular spot for strolling and window-shopping ever since. The large column you see at the end of the street is the Plague Column. It was commissioned by Emperor Leopold I in 1679 after a devastating outbreak of the plague swept through Vienna. It started as a wooden structure, which turned into a sculptural masterpiece between 1683 and 1687. It depicts Emperor Leopold kneeling in prayer beneath a pyramid of clouds and angels. The column represents the Black Death and the 1683 Battle of Vienna as punishments for sin, that were overcome thanks to the emperor’s devotion.