Austria — books & literature

The story of Austria

Austria's roots trace to Celtic tribes and the Roman frontier province of Noricum, later a border march of the Carolingian Empire. In 996 CE a document first named the region "Ostarrîchi" , the "eastern realm" , the origin of the name Austria. The Babenberg dynasty ruled from 976, and in 1273 Rudolf I of Habsburg became King of Germany, opening nearly 650 years of Habsburg rule that turned Austria into the core of a vast Central European empire. Francis II proclaimed the Austrian Empire in 1804, and in 1867 it became the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary, one of the great powers of Europe. Defeat in the First World War ended the empire in 1918 and gave rise to the First Republic. Nazi Germany annexed Austria in the 1938 Anschluss, and the country was occupied by the Allies after the Second World War. The 1955 Austrian State Treaty restored full sovereignty on condition of permanent neutrality, and the Second Republic built a stable, prosperous democracy that joined the European Union in 1995. Today Austria is known for its Alpine landscapes, its Habsburg imperial heritage, and its standing as one of the world's great capitals of classical music.

Timeline — key moments

1. 996

   The name "Ostarrîchi" (Austria) is first recorded in a document.

2. 1273

   Rudolf I of Habsburg becomes King of Germany, beginning Habsburg rule over Austria.

3. 1526

   The Habsburgs gain the crowns of Bohemia and Hungary, expanding their Central European realm.

4. 1804

   Francis II proclaims the Austrian Empire.

5. 1867

   The Compromise (Ausgleich) creates the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary.

6. 1918

   Austria-Hungary dissolves after World War I; the First Republic is declared.

7. 1938

   Nazi Germany annexes Austria in the Anschluss.

8. 1945

   World War II ends; Austria is occupied by the four Allied powers.

9. 1955

   The Austrian State Treaty restores full sovereignty; Austria declares permanent neutrality.

10. 1995

    Austria joins the European Union.

Top 10 things to know about Austria

1. Vienna has repeatedly ranked among the most livable cities in the world.
2. The Habsburg dynasty ruled Austria for nearly 650 years.
3. Austria declared permanent neutrality in 1955 and has held to it since.
4. German is the official language, spoken with a distinct Austrian standard.
5. Austria is landlocked, bordering eight countries, making it one of Europe's most border-connected states.
6. The Alps cover most of Austria's territory, making it a global centre of Alpine skiing.
7. Vienna is one of the world's great capitals of classical music , home to Mozart, Beethoven, Haydn, and Strauss.
8. The Vienna Philharmonic's New Year's Concert is broadcast to audiences in dozens of countries.
9. Viennese coffeehouse culture is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
10. Austria uses the euro and has been an EU member since 1995.

Famous people from Austria

Say it in Austria's language

Did you know?

• ★Vienna has been ranked the world's most livable city multiple times in global quality-of-life surveys.
• ★Austria has no coastline but is one of the world's leading Alpine ski destinations.
• ★The Vienna State Opera stages a different opera almost every night of its season.

Austria culture

• Viennese coffeehouse culture , reading newspapers over a slow coffee , is UNESCO-listed intangible heritage.
• Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market) season is a major national tradition every winter.
• Classical music runs deep in daily life, from the Musikverein to the Vienna Boys' Choir.
• Alpine traditions , skiing, mountain villages, and yodeling , remain strong outside Vienna.

Why read Austria's books

Austrian literature runs from Habsburg court poetry through Vienna's fin-de-siècle golden age of Freud, Klimt, and Zweig, to postwar and contemporary voices shaped by empire, exile, and reinvention.