Riding Through Vienna's Royal History in a 140-Year-Old Carriage (With Cake!)

May 30th 2025

Have you ever dreamed of riding through a historic city in a real royal carriage? Well, that's exactly what happened to us on our recent trip to Vienna, Austria. From sipping punch in a 140-year-old carriage once owned by the Austrian imperial family to tasting the original Sacher cake, our day in Vienna was packed with surprises, history, and a whole lot of sugar.

As self-proclaimed "royal by default," my family and I were thrilled to have the opportunity to experience Vienna like true royalty. Our guide, Marco, took us on a whirlwind tour, showing us hidden gems and sharing fascinating stories about the city's rich history. We visited the world's smallest museum, passed by a 297-year-old fire station, learned about Mozart's eviction for unpaid rent, and even received a special golden horseshoe to ward off evil spirits.

And just when we thought the day couldn't get any more exciting, Marco surprised us with a mysterious golden box at the end of our carriage ride. What could be inside? You'll have to keep reading to find out!

A Royal Ride Through Vienna's Streets

Our adventure began the moment we stepped into the 140-year-old royal carriage. As we settled into our seats, Marco handed us unbreakable glasses filled with a delicious royal punch. "This isn't just a $140-year-old royal carriage," he told us, "it's a $100,000 ride once owned by the Austrian royal family."

I couldn't believe my eyes as we rolled through the streets of Vienna. This carriage had been formally owned by the Austrian imperial family, and it was incredible to imagine the history it had witnessed over the past century and a half. Marco explained that historic carriages like this one often go up for auction, where they can fetch between $60,000 to $80,000.

"Keep in mind today you were driving with a Porsche car," he said, "because if we also add the value of the horses, it would equal it up."

As we sipped our royal punch and took in the sights, Marco pointed out some of Vienna's most iconic landmarks. We passed the Vienna State Opera House, which hosts a grand ball every February that attracts international celebrities. He also showed us the Café Central, a famous café where historical figures like Sigmund Freud and Leon Trotsky used to gather.

Exploring Vienna's Hidden Gems

But Marco didn't just take us to the well-known tourist spots. He also showed us some of Vienna's hidden gems that most visitors never get to see.

One of the first stops was the world's smallest museum. Tucked away on a side street, this tiny museum is filled with African art that was brought back to Vienna by the Habsburgs. "You can visit the whole thing without turning around," Marco told us.

Next, we passed by the oldest professional firefighter station in the world, which has been operating from the same location for 297 years. Can you imagine how many fires that station has seen over the centuries?

As we continued our carriage ride, Marco pointed out the building where Mozart once lived. "Mozart lived here for around 6 months," he said, "and then he got kicked out because he didn't pay for the rent. Even Mozart had landlord problems!"

We also got to see the Imperial Theater, which is considered one of the most important theaters in the German-speaking world. "They always say whoever can act here can act anywhere else in the world," Marco told us.

Indulging in the Original Sacher Cake

Of course, no trip to Vienna would be complete without trying the famous Sacher cake. As we rolled through the streets, Marco surprised us with a special treat - a slice of the original Sacher cake, complete with a dollop of whipped cream.

"This is my surprise," he said, handing us the delectable dessert. "The one and only original one with some whipped cream, the one and only way how it should be eaten."

The Sacher cake is a classic Viennese chocolate cake that was first created in 1832 by Franz Sacher for Prince Metternich. It's become a beloved symbol of Vienna, and the original recipe is a closely guarded secret. As we savored each bite, the rich chocolate and fluffy whipped cream melted in our mouths.

Marco explained that the Café Central, which we had passed earlier, is one of the best places to try the original Sacher cake. "Trosky, Freud, Hitler - they all sat here," he said, "and in 1876, on the day it was opened, it was the first café in Vienna where women were allowed to go on their own without a man."

Eating the Sacher cake in the historic royal carriage made the experience even more special. It was like we were transported back in time, indulging in a decadent treat fit for royalty.

Discovering the Spanish Riding School

As we continued our carriage ride, Marco pointed out another Vienna landmark - the Spanish Riding School. This historic institution has been training Lipizzan horses for over 450 years, making it older than the United States.

"These are not just any horses," Marco told us. "The Lipizzan horses are born black and turn white as they get older. They've been training this way for over 450 years."

We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of some of the Lipizzan horses as we passed by the stables. These majestic creatures have been a symbol of Viennese culture for centuries, and it was a thrill to see them up close.

Marco also showed us the riding hall of the Spanish Riding School, which is located within the Imperial Palace. "On the left side is the riding part of the palace, and on the right side are the stables," he explained. "They have space for more than 70 horses inside."

The Spanish Riding School is a true testament to Vienna's rich equestrian heritage. It's a must-see for any visitor to the city who wants to experience the city's royal history firsthand.

A Witch-Proof Surprise

As if the royal carriage ride, Sacher cake, and glimpse of the Lipizzan horses weren't enough, Marco had one more surprise in store for us - a golden horseshoe.

"This is an original horseshoe that has been worn by one of our horses," he said, presenting us with the shimmering accessory. "We cleaned it and then sprayed it in gold color. It should bring you luck."

Marco explained that there are two ways to display the golden horseshoe. "If you put it up like this on the wall, luck is supposed to be collected and falling into it. If you put it up like this above a door, it's supposed to protect you from evil ghosts and spirits entering your house."

Apparently, people used to believe that witches were scared of horses, so horseshoes were thought to keep them away. This golden horseshoe was our own personal protection against any supernatural forces we might encounter on our travels.

As we carefully placed the horseshoe in our bag, we couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement. This was no ordinary souvenir - it was a piece of history and folklore, a tangible connection to Vienna's rich cultural heritage.

Uncovering Vienna's Unfinished History

One of the most fascinating things we learned during our carriage ride was the story behind the unfinished Imperial Palace. As we approached the grand building, Marco pointed out that the original plan was to build an identical structure on the other side of the square.

"But that never happened because of World War I, which was also the end of the monarchy," he explained. "When the monarchy fell, so did the blueprints."

It was a poignant reminder of how history can be shaped by unexpected events. The grand vision for the Imperial Palace was never fully realized, leaving us to wonder what might have been.

This story also highlighted the way that history is woven into the fabric of Vienna. As we rode through the streets, we couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to the past, as if the city itself was telling us its stories.

A Golden Surprise

Finally, as our carriage ride came to an end, Marco had one last surprise in store for us - a mysterious golden box.

"And just when we thought the ride was over - BOOM! A golden mystery box," he said, handing us the shimmering package.

We eagerly opened the box, wondering what could be inside. To our delight, we found another golden horseshoe, this one even more ornate than the first.

"This is another little surprise for you," Marco said. "It's an original horseshoe that has been worn by one of our horses. We cleaned it and then sprayed it in gold color. It should bring you luck."

We were thrilled to receive this second golden horseshoe, which we could use to complement the first one. With two witch-proof accessories, we felt ready to take on any supernatural challenges that might come our way.

As we bid farewell to the royal carriage and our guide Marco, we couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and gratitude. This had been a truly unforgettable experience, one that had transported us back in time and allowed us to glimpse the rich history and culture of Vienna.

Conclusion

Our day in Vienna was a whirlwind of surprises, history, and, of course, delicious cake. From riding through the streets in a 140-year-old royal carriage to indulging in the original Sacher cake, we were immersed in the city's rich cultural heritage at every turn.

But the real highlight of our trip was the opportunity to uncover Vienna's hidden gems and learn about the city's fascinating history. Whether it was visiting the world's smallest museum, passing by a 297-year-old fire station, or discovering the unfinished Imperial Palace, we felt like we were stepping into the pages of a history book.

And let's not forget the golden horseshoes - our own personal protection against any supernatural forces that might try to interfere with our adventures. With these magical accessories in tow, we felt ready to take on the world (or at least the streets of Vienna).

If you're looking for a truly unique and unforgettable travel experience, I highly recommend a visit to Vienna. Whether you're interested in history, culture, or just indulging in some delicious cake, this city has something for everyone.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your own royal adventure in Vienna today! And don't forget to check out our books .