Discovering history and practicing German. A summer walk through the heart of Vienna

Summer is the perfect time to make learning a bit lighter without putting it on pause. That’s why, in early August, we added a special activity to our program: a walking tour through Vienna’s city center, combining history, culture, and language in a relaxed and enjoyable way.

During a two-hour walking tour, a group of Ukrainian participants explored key questions: When did Vienna become a global city? Who shaped it, from the Habsburgs to world-famous composers? And what traces of history and politics are still visible in the streets?

Starting at Michaelerplatz near the Hofburg Treasury, the tour led past the Hofburg, Josephsplatz, the Vienna State Opera, St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Graben, Rathausplatz, and Parliament. Other stops included Café Central, Schottenkirche, and the Liebenberg Monument.

Along the way, there was curiosity, laughter, and plenty of conversation, in German, of course. In addition to historical insights and anecdotes, the walk provided opportunities to learn and practice: new words, useful phrases, and authentic language in context.

This walk not only deepened the participants’ understanding of Vienna, but also reminded us that language learning happens everywhere, especially when it’s lived.