Venue

eChallenges e-2004 takes place in the magnificent Hofburg Palace, located in the heart of Vienna, Austria. Vienna or Wien in Austrian stands on the banks of the River Danube and is the gateway between East and West. Its music, theatre, museums and parks make it an ideal location to host eChallenges e-2004.

The Hofburg is also known as the Royal Castle as it had been the residence of Austria's ruling family since the 13th century. Until 1918 the Hofburg Palace was the seat of the Habsburg dynasty. The Cermonial Hall has hosted the Emperor Franz Joseph and the Empress Elisabeth actively taking part in the annual symbolic footwashing ceremonies on Holy Thursday. In 1717, Empress Maria Theresia was baptized there and on March 5, 1810, Napoleon I asked for the hand of Marie Louise.

Since 1918, it has served various purposes under the Republic of Austria, and is today the president's official seat. Its construction spread from the 13th to the 20th century. This explains the richness of its architectural influences, ranging from Gothic to Classicism through to Renaissance and Baroque.

The Hofburg Palace offers large and modern IT facilities in an breathtaking central setting of Vienna. The whole complex provides 17.000 sq.m floor space, up to 35 meeting rooms for 60 to 1300 delegates and convenient parking available.

Hofburg Congress Center Vienna, Schweizerhof - Entrance: Botschafterstiege, A - 1014 Vienna, Fax: +43 1 535 64 26.

Security, Health and Safety

Please wear your name badge for all e-2004 activities, as it is your identification and allows you access to the facilities on offer. Unfortunately, IT Conferences provide a tempting target for thieves, so please take care of bags, laptops and other personal belongings.

While security staff will be present and the conference facilities are not open to the public, the organisers cannot accept any responsibility for losses incurred or for personal health and safety. Delegates should ensure they have personal health insurance and take the usual care when exploring the city of Vienna. If you have any special needs or requirements, please contact the conference secretariat prior to the event.

History

Vienna has a rich history. Its university opened in 136, making it one of the oldest in Europe. From 1558 to 1806 it was the centre of the Holy Roman Empire and became an important cultural centre for art and learning in the 18th & 19th centuries. Sigmund Freud, the famous psychiatrist, lived and worked in Vienna.

Major Places of Interest

Vienna is centrally located in the heart of Europe, and is easily reachable by plane, train or car. It is the seat of the United Nations and has a strategic position for industrial and cultural exchanges.

The historical centre of Vienna today makes up part of UNESCO'S World Cultural Heritage. St. Stephen's Cathedral and the Imperial Palace are recognized as being among the top 700 outstanding cultural and natural monuments of the world.

Music

Vienna has been renowned as being the music capital of the world. Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Brahms, Schubert and the Strauss family were all attracted to Vienna. It is now the home of the Vienna Philharmonic, one of the world's most famous orchestras.

Surrounding areas

The Danube valley is a wonderful destination, with its old villages and excursions. The Danube winds its way past charming villages vineyards allowing you to enjoy the beauty of the Wachau.

Other attractions include the Spanish Riding School (the oldest and last Riding School in the world where classic dressage is still practiced in its purest form), the Old City of Vienna (between St. Stephen's and the Hofburg Palace) with the 1,000 years of Jewish Tradition, and the Liechtenstein Museum, with its reopening planned for March 2004 which marks the return of one of the world's most important private collections to the city. It is also worth visiting the high security printing company of Austria, which was the former bank note printing works specializing in the production of bank notes for the international market.