If the Vienna Blood series has glued you to your TV set, you're probably familiar with the tapestry of turn-of-the-century Vienna. The title itself nods to Johann Strauss' famous waltz, Wiener Blut (Vienna Blood), capturing the city's essence. The series, set in the early 1900s, follows Dr. Max Liebermann and Inspector Oskar Rheinhardt as they solve murders while navigating the complex world of psychology and forensics.
However, have you ever wondered about the real-life settings that inspired the show’s opulent backdrop? Let's see some of Vienna's most popular spots that brought the drama to life.
1. Ringstrasse: Grand Stage for Crimes in the Series
One of the most recurring settings of the series is the Ringstrasse. This famous boulevard, constructed in the late 19th century, circles Vienna’s city centre. Additionally, it is home to some of the city’s most grandiose buildings. The show's opening credits and several key scenes often feature sweeping views of this imperial street. It showcases the artistic and architectural spirit of the Fin de Siècle era. Walking along the Ringstrasse, you'll pass landmarks like the Vienna State Opera, Parliament, and The Museum of Fine Arts, all of which make brief but impactful appearances in the series. This is where Vienna’s elite lived, and where Dr. Liebermann’s upper-class world often collides with the darker side of the city.
2. The University of Vienna: Intellectual Heartbeat of Vienna Blood
Dr. Max Liebermann, a medical student with a fascination for Sigmund Freud’s theories, spends much of his time at the University of Vienna. This historical institution, with its neo-Renaissance architecture, provides an authentic backdrop for the show's many intellectual exchanges. The university is renowned for being one of Europe’s oldest, founded in 1365. It was indeed a hotbed of scientific innovation during the time of Freud, making it the perfect setting for Liebermann’s character. Its grand lecture halls and atmospheric corridors create a convincing scholarly environment where psychological ideas come to life.
3. Schönbrunn Palace: The Imperial Opulence in Series
Vienna Blood doesn’t shy away from showing the grandeur of the Habsburg era, and what better place to capture imperial luxury than Schönbrunn Palace? This UNESCO World Heritage site, which served as the Habsburg family’s summer residence, features scenes that require a lavish setting. While the series never directly identifies Schönbrunn by name, its ornate Rococo interiors and manicured gardens unmistakably mark the palace as a filming location. Imagine walking through its Hall of Mirrors, where Empress Maria Theresa once entertained royalty, and seeing the exact room where a mystery unfolds in the series.
4. The Prater: Carnival of Suspense in Series
The Prater amusement park offers a darker, moodier contrast to the show’s otherwise pristine locations. Known for its iconic Riesenrad (giant Ferris wheel), the park brings a sense of mystery and suspense to this series. Historically, the Prater has been a playground for both the working class and the aristocracy, making it a perfect spot to see the more sinister aspects of human behaviour—something the series does so well. Even today, the Prater retains much of its old-world charm, with its carnival atmosphere, which makes it the ideal location for a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat chase or a clandestine meeting in the shadows.
5. Café Central: The Intellectual Hub of Series
Vienna is world-renowned for its coffeehouse culture, and Café Central is the quintessential spot for discussing ideas over a cup of coffee. Featured in several scenes, this cosy café was the real-life haunt of intellectuals like Freud, Lenin, and Trotsky. In the series, Café Central becomes the setting for Max’s musings and lively debates. It perfectly captures the intellectual vibrancy of Vienna at the time. With its elegant chandeliers, marble columns, and refined atmosphere, it embodies the sophisticated social scene that this series seeks to recreate.
6. The Belvedere Palace: Series Canvas for Art and Murder
The Belvedere Palace, with its Baroque grandeur, also makes a few appearances in the series. Home to the world’s largest collection of works by Gustav Klimt, this palace doubles as a backdrop for artistic and psychological reflections in Vienna Blood. Its terraced gardens and ornate rooms reflect Vienna’s cultural richness during the turn of the century. Moreover, they mirror the series' exploration of art, beauty, and the darker impulses of human nature.
7. The Hofburg Palace: Heart of Power for Series
No tour of this filming location would be complete without mentioning the Hofburg Palace. As the former principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty, the Hofburg represents power and authority—a theme that runs throughout the series. While the palace isn’t always front and centre, its imposing presence is felt in scenes that deal with the upper echelons of society, politics, and law enforcement. Today, the Hofburg houses the Austrian National Library and various museums, but during the period depicted in the series, it was the political heart of the empire.
8. The Narrenturm: Chilling Asylum of the Series
For a show that probes deeply into the psychology of crime, the Narrenturm, Europe’s oldest mental asylum, makes a fitting appearance. Built in 1784, this round tower looms large as a place of medical experimentation and the treatment of mental illness—a key theme in the series as Dr. Liebermann delves into the criminal mind. While scenes filmed at the Narrenturm are unsettling, they capture the period’s fascination with psychiatry and its often cruel methods. Today, the Narrenturm is part of the Pathologic-Anatomical Museum, and while it no longer serves as a mental institution, its eerie history still lingers.
Vienna Through the Lens of Vienna Blood
As you can see, this series brilliantly brings together real-life historical settings to create an authentic and atmospheric portrayal of early 20th-century Vienna. Whether you're a fan of the show or a lover of historical crimes, these locations offer a glimpse into the grandeur, beauty, and complexity of the imperial city. Next time you're in Vienna, why not walk in the footsteps of Max Liebermann and Oskar Rheinhardt, and experience the city that inspired such captivating stories?