Donaukanal

The Danube Canal is a strip of the river that was cut off and regulated in the 16th century, bordering the east side of Vienna. It has a long strip of waterside urban area running next to it. This place has many charms, as Vienna’s residents go there to peacefully spend their free time in various ways, the bankside, for example, has pathways made of concrete that are suitable for practising a range of sports. Lately, an infrastructure of cafés, bars and even floating swimming pools have developed here on the river and its banks. It is also a retreat for artists, sculptors and graffiti artists since it is legal to spray paint on the concrete walls of the bankside, offering a kilometre-long canvas for creatives. Sculptors also work along the bank, chiselling marble or creating three-dimensional mosaics, creating a perfect artistic backdrop for shoots. In addition to all the street art on display, the canal also provides a unique viewpoint onto the city’s riverside buildings. The majestic historic architecture reminds viewers of Vienna’s rich past, while the contemporary designs portray the city’s dynamic development through innovative design. The canal’s diversity is enhanced by the 15 road bridges and 5 rail bridges arching over it, which were also built in various periods in history. The Donaukanal is an important urban hub in the everyday lives of the Viennese people - it is even the venue of a music festival held at the canal every year at the beginning of summer.