The evolution of Vienna’s architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession, and modern styles
Vienna, also known as the “City of Music”, is a living proof of centuries of architectural evolution. With its eclectic mix of styles, from grand Baroque palaces to innovative Art Nouveau designs and the Viennese Secession, visitors are enchanted by its architectural wonders. Vienna’s checkered past is reflected in its architectural landscape, which has endured wars, imperial expansion, and numerous shifts in artistic trends, yet managed to maintain its unique identity as a symbol of resilience and reinvention.
From Adolf Loos, whose radical ideas challenged the trends of the day, to Otto Wagner, the pioneer of Viennese modernism, Vienna’s architectural heritage continued to evolve. Fast forward to modern times, and Vienna’s skyline bears the imprint of internationally renowned architects like Zaha Hadid, whose fluid, futuristic designs push the boundaries of architecture. Hadid’s work, which includes the College of Economics and Business’ library and learning center, provides a dynamic contrast to the city’s historic landscape. Additionally, companies like CRAB Studio, founded by Sir Peter Cook and Gavin Robotham, are bringing experimentalism to Viennese architecture and injecting contemporary concepts into the urban fabric. These architects and firms contribute to the architectural richness of Vienna, adding a new chapter to its storied history while respecting the city’s innovation and artistic heritage.
Check out 21 architectural landmarks in Vienna.
Related article
Between geometry and raw materials: the case of brutality in Italy
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 8/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/907d/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e327/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023876)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 7/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/907b/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e326/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023873)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 10/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9070/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e325/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023863)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 9/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/906a/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e324/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023857)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 4/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9064/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e323/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023851)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 6/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/905c/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e322/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023840)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 22/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9059/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e321/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023836)
Florasdorfer Spitz Building / Freimüller Söllinger Architektur + Studio Vlay Streeruwitz
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 18/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9055/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e320/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023835)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 2/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/905c/ad68/bf12/3981/2c1e/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023843)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 14/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/904f/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e31f/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023830)
Hundertwasser House
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and Modern styles - Image 15/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9037/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e31e/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023806)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 5/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9021/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e31d/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023784)
DC Towers I / Dominique Perrault Architecture
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 13/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9020/ad68/bf12/3981/2c1c/medium_jpg/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023779)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 3/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/901a/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e31c/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023776)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 16/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9015/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e31b/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023777)
Vienna gas meter building
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 19/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9036/ad68/bf12/3981/2c1d/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023853)
City Hall / friedrich schmidt
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 20/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9013/ad68/bf12/3981/2c1b/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023817)
St. Peter’s Church
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 21/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/9006/ad68/bf12/3981/2c1a/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023812)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 11/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/8fc0/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e318/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023687)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 12/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6563/8fc0/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e319/newsletter/vienna-city-guide_1.jpg?1701023692)
![The evolution of Vienna's architecture: 21 landmarks spanning Baroque, Secession and modern styles - Image 23/23](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6564/4e81/0ca0/c31b/bb91/e42c/newsletter/viennas-architectural-evolution-23-landmarks-spanning-baroque-secession-and-contemporary-styles_23.jpg?1701072518)
Check out our list of architectural city guides.