Cafe Central

Café Central, located at Herrengasse 14 in the Innere Stadt (first district) of Vienna, Austria, is a traditional Viennese café with a rich history. Let’s step into its captivating past:

1. Founding and Intellectual Hub:

   • The café was established in 1876 and swiftly became a vibrant meeting place for Vienna’s intellectual elite during the late 19th century.
   • Among its key regulars were luminaries such as: Peter Altenberg, Theodor Herzl, Alfred Adler, Egon Friedell, Hugo von  Hofmannsthal, Anton Kuh, Adolf Loos, Leo Perutz, Robert Musil, Stefan Zweig, Alfred Polgar, Adolf Hitler, Leon Trotsky
   • In January 1913 alone, patrons included Josip Broz Tito, Sigmund Freud, and Stalin.
   • The café was affectionately dubbed the “Chess school” due to the presence of avid chess players who gathered on the first floor for their games.

2. Vienna Circle and Literary Gatherings:

   • Members of the Vienna Circle, a group of logical positivists, held numerous meetings at Café Central before and after World War I.
   • An intriguing anecdote involves Victor Adler challenging Count Berchtold, the foreign minister of Austria-Hungary, by suggesting that war would lead to revolution in Russia. Berchtold retorted, asking if Mr. Bronstein (Leon Trotsky) sitting at Café Central would lead that revolution.

3. Closure and Revival:

   • The café closed at the end of World War II.
   • In 1975, the Palais Ferstel underwent renovation, and Café Central was reopened in a different part of the building.
   • A subsequent full renovation took place in 1986.

4. Literary Legacy:

   • Café Central remains a tourist attraction and a beloved café, steeped in literary history.
   • Its historic ambiance continues to inspire visitors as they savor classic Viennese dishes, sweet treats, and the enchanting sound of live piano music (except on Tuesdays).

5. Location:

   • As the name suggests, Café Central is the true center of Vienna, surpassing even St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
   • You’ll find its entrance at the corner of Herrengasse and Strauchgasse in the heart of the city.

If you ever visit Vienna, don’t miss the chance to experience the allure of Café Central, where stories, coffee, and cake intertwine in a timeless symphony. 🎶☕🍰