An atmosphere of elegance and bygone style prevails in this area, which should be experienced on foot. Art Nouveau buildings, such as the Majolikahaus , line the streets of some suburbs, as Vienna was the birthplace of this then controversial style. The Austrian National Library at the Josefsplatz is regarded as an outstanding example of Baroque architecture. The Schloss Sch nbrunn , home to the oldest zoo in the world, with its landscaped park, can be compared with the sumptuous palace at Versailles. Opulent balls run from New Year's Eve to Shrove Tuesday, the most famous being the Opernball .
Spring sees the Festival of Vienna with concerts, operas and theatre performances.
The Wiener Staatsoper itself offers a well-selected programme between September and June. Guided tours of the opera and the stage are held regularly during July and August, and at other times when the performance schedule permits it. Right behind the opera is the Hotel Sacher , famous the world over for its chocaholic's dream Sachertorte and other Viennese specialities. There are more than 50 museums open to the public, grand palaces, shops, antique markets, international choirs and orchestras, as well as fine restaurants and cosy coffee-houses, which are very much part of Austrian culture. The Habsburgs who ruled the country for six centuries resided in the Hofburg which has the Kaiser-Appartements and the Crown Jewels .