Graben and Kohlmarkt
About
The Kohlmarkt is one of Vienna’s most celebrated shopping streets, stretching from Michaelerplatz to the Graben in the historic Innere Stadt district. Today it stands as the crown jewel of the city’s luxury retail scene, boasting a high density of jewelers and flagship stores for international haute couture labels, while remaining a pedestrian zone that invites leisurely strolls amid opulent architecture. The street’s roots run deep into Vienna’s past, originating as the Roman legionary camp’s southwestern gate – the Porta Decumana – and evolving through phases as the Witmarkt and Kohlenmarkt before finally adopting the name Kohlmarkt. By the 18th century it had already attracted cultural figures such as Joseph Haydn and Frédéric Chopin; today its cobblestones host towering modernist landmarks like the Looshaus designed by Adolf Loos, and the historic palais Blankenstein. Architecturally, the Kohlmarkt presents a fascinating blend of styles: the neo‑classicist Palais Blankenstein, the elegant Art Nouveau façade of Artaria‑Haus, the iconic chocolatier Demel, and the life‑size bronze Hussar statue atop the Husarenhaus. Combined with its pedestrian-friendly layout and the prestige of the Imperial Habsburg era, the street offers both retail splendor and a living museum of Viennese history, drawing luxury shoppers, fashion enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike.
Highlights
- Luxury Shopping Destination
- Historic Architecture
- Pedestrian Zone