Panorama showing the area around the Riesenrad ferris wheel at the northern end of the Prater park in Vienna.

Riesenrad - Vienna Ferris Wheel - Vienna visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Riesenrad - Vienna Ferris Wheel' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Wien.

The Riesenrad is the world famous ferris wheel of Vienna, one of the oldest in the world. Riesenrad literally means "Giant Wheel", this one was built in 1897 to celebrate Emperor Franz Josef I's golden Jubilee. It was designed by Walter Bassett who, being English, used imperial measurements. Thus the Riesenrad 200 feet (approx 61m) in diameter.

The Riesenrad originally held 30 cabins, but was destroyed by fire in 1944 during WWII, and only 15 cabins were attached when it was rebuilt. It reopened in 1947 and has been running since then. At nighttime the Riesenrad lights up, pulsating with the hours, acting like a massive illuminated clock that can be seen across Vienna.

The Riesenrad stands in the Wurstelprater part of the Prater. This is open from mid March to mid October. South from here is the Wurstelprater, which lines the Prater Hauptallee.

Tram: Praterstern Bf (Bahnunterführung Mitte)‎ (O)
U-Bhan: Messe-Prater
Bus: Messe-Prater (Ausstellungsstraße)‎ (29), Böcklinstraße/Kurzbauergasse‎ (80A)