Urania, Cultural center and observatory in Innere Stadt, Vienna, Austria
Urania is an Art Nouveau building that combines educational programs and astronomical observation under one roof, located where the Donaukanal meets the Wien river. The structure houses seminar rooms, a cinema, and an observatory across its different levels.
The building was designed in 1909 by Max Fabiani, a student of renowned architect Otto Wagner, and opened to the public in 1910. It has since served as a place for sharing knowledge and technological progress with Vienna's residents.
The name Urania refers to the ancient muse of astronomy, reflecting the educational purpose of this place. Visitors today can experience the cinema and attend lectures that keep the connection between knowledge and culture alive.
The building is easily accessible and offers various areas for visitors to explore, from the observatory to the cinema hall. Daytime visitors can find seminar rooms, while evenings feature cinema screenings and lectures as the main activities.
In 1928, the first public sound film screening in Austria took place here, marking a milestone in Austrian cinema history. This event made the building a pioneer of modern film technology in Central Europe.
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