Vienna's most elegant shopping street leads from Stephansplatz to the Staatsoper on the Ring and ends at Karlsplatz. Since 1974 it has been a pedestrian precinct as far as Walfischgasse, with lime trees, pavement cafes, traditional and fashionable shops, elegant boutiques and busy shopping arcades. It is named after the southern state of Kärnten (Carinthia) and seen from the Stephansdom it runs in a southerly direction.
Beneath the junction of Kärtner Strasse and the Ring lies the Opernpassage, Vienna's first underground pedestrian area opened in 1955 with shops and snack bars. In contrast with the nearby side streets Kärtner Strasse, documented as early as 1257 under the name "Strata Carinthianorum" and widened in the 70s, has very few historic buildings, most of them are 18th C., including Nos. 4, 6 and 17 with interesting facades. Only the Maltese church still has a few features dating back to 1265. Inside there are numerous coats of arms of Knights of Malta as well as the 1806 stucco monument with Turkish figures on either hand to the memory of Jean de la Valette, the Grand Master who defended Malta against the Turks in 1565. The oldest building is the Palais Esterházy (No. 41) from 1698 which houses the extravagant fashion house Adlmüller where Viennese high society purchase their clothes.
Closeby are fashion shops with clothes by such famous designers as Jil Sander, Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin, Emanuel Ungaro, Burberrys, Daks and Fiorucci with prices to match. Traditional folk costumes, evening dresses, young fashion and sportswear are all represented. No. 26 the J.& L. Lobmeyr china and glass house has a glass museum on the upper floor which is open during business hours. The Viennese Tourist Board has its offices at No. 38. A relaxing break from shopping can be taken in the elegant surroundings of the cafe of the legendary Hotel Sacher on the corner of Philharmonikerstrasse where a slice of the famous "Sachertorte" can be sampled.
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Thunder fountain in Vienna.
Old buildings at Neuer Markt in Vienna.
