Wiener Riesenrad, Giant Ferris wheel in Leopoldstadt, Vienna, Austria.
The Wiener Riesenrad is a 64.75 meter tall ride at the entrance of Prater, equipped with 15 wooden cabins on a steel frame. The red cabins move slowly in a circle and offer space for several people per compartment.
Harry Hitchins and Hubert Cecil Booth designed the construction in 1897 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Emperor Franz Joseph I's accession. A demolition order could not be carried out in 1916 due to lack of funds, allowing the structure to survive.
The wheel ranks among the most recognized symbols of the city and appears on souvenirs and travel guides as an emblem of Prater. Many visitors come here to enjoy the view or ride in the historic wooden cabins.
A complete rotation takes about four minutes and allows views over the city and park. The wheel is open daily and accessible in all weather, though wind may occasionally cause brief interruptions.
Originally the structure had 30 cabins, but after a fire during World War II only 15 were rebuilt. This reduction lengthened the ride time and made the experience calmer than comparable modern wheels.
Location: Vienna
Location: Leopoldstadt
Inception: 1897
Architects: Walter Bassett Basset, Hubert Cecil Booth
Official opening: July 3, 1897
Height: 64.75 m
Address: Prater 90
Website: http://wienerriesenrad.com
GPS coordinates: 48.21683,16.39592
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:33
Observation wheels allow the exploration of cities and their surroundings from heights ranging from 25 to 250 meters. These steel structures rotate slowly, giving visitors time to observe monuments, watercourses, and neighborhoods spread at their feet. In London, the London Eye looms over the Thames at 135 meters, while in Singapore, the Singapore Flyer stands at 165 meters with views reaching into Malaysia and Indonesia. In Las Vegas, the High Roller rises 168 meters above the lit-up Strip. Each wheel has its unique technical and historical features. The Tianjin Eye in China is integrated into the Yongle Bridge structure above the Hai River. In Vienna, the Wiener Riesenrad in Prater dates from 1897 and retains its original 15 wooden cabins. These attractions offer an alternative way to see cities, taking height for a rotation duration typically between 15 and 30 minutes.
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