Advent Saturdays on Vienna's Mariahilferstrasse
Pedestrians take the streets during Advent.
This past Saturday marked the first of Mariahilferstrasse's "open road" Advent Saturdays for 2007. Each Saturday during Advent, the city of Vienna closes the Mariahilferstrasse to vehicle traffic and permits bikers, walkers, and other pedestrians to move freely up and down the street in addition to the adjacent sidewalks. The result is less cramped and more pleasant holiday shopping in Mariahilferstrasse's premium shops.
Aside from the more spacious shopping atmosphere, the Mariahilferstrasse also offers holiday food, beverages, and trinkets at various quaint seasonal stands along the street. One of the most popular places to get refreshments is the small square in front of the Mariahilfer church, near the Neubaugasse intersection. There, visitors will find multiple vendors selling hot punch (Punsch) and spiced wine (Gluhwein) along with a vast assortment of fresh jumbo donuts and other baked goods.
To get to the Mariahliferstrasse with the metro, take the U6 line to Westbanhof, the U3 line to Westbanhof, Zieglergasse, or Neubaugasse, or the U2 line to Museumsquartier.
