Living in Vienna, 1890-1939

The view that 'in the second half of the nineteenth century, Vienna was the relatively modern capital of a relatively backward empire' provides a handy introduction to this capital of a polyglot empire, that more than most Victorian capitals was a city of contrasts and contradictions. The city had a long imperial tradition and still retained its reputation as a centre of culture and intellectual brilliance and yet seemed vulnerable to the extremes of racial, political and religious feelings. It can be suggested that a reflection of these tensions is to be found in the story of Vienna's housing.