The name of this square comes from the palace that was built for Archduke Albert von Sachsen-Teschen in 1781. He was seriously passionate about painting and during his lifetime managed to assemble a large collection of paintings. These canvases are still kept in the Albertina gallery to this day. Its visitors can see paintings by Raphael, Rubens, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and many other great masters.
But let us return to the square. In its center rises an equestrian statue of the archduke himself, installed on the former bastion of Vienna's military fortifications. Slightly below, the fountain "Danubius" murmurs, symbolizing the Danube River and the Wien River flowing into it.
Nearby is the legendary Vienna Opera. To get to some of its performances (for example, the New Year's concert), tickets have to be reserved a year in advance!
Also on this square are massive granite blocks, the so-called "Gate of Violence." They were brought from the quarries of the Mauthausen concentration camp. Between them stands a figure of a Jew who is washing the street on his knees with a brush. Some tourists, out of ignorance, used to sit on it as if it were a bench, so the author - Alfred Hrdlicka - later installed barbed wire on it. This composition appeared on the square in 1988, when the 50th anniversary of Austria's takeover by fascist troops was being marked.
In addition, Albertinaplatz is home to a tourist office where you can find out about the nearest excursions and pick up a free city map.
