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Summer Oasis Danube Island
By Anil Gupta
Danube Island was shaped in the early 1970s as part of a flood protection system. The plans included a discharge canal for the Danube River with an island between the two to serve as a recreational area for the people of Vienna. From the word go in 1975 special emphasis was placed on a balanced mix of social, ecological and economic requirements. To make it possible few steps were taken like a discharge canal, also known as the "New Danube", was built parallel to the left river bank and the excavated matter was used to make the ground for Danube Island as a free-floating island between the main river and the discharge canal. The Island was completed in 1988. The "New Danube" is only fed during floods and for most of the year has a very calm surface similar to that of an inland lake. The recreational area includes 270 ha of water surface and 390 ha of public green area. In the summer time an average of 300,000 people per weekend come to the island to sunbathe, swim, and enjoy all kinds of sports and recreational activities. Special events like the "Danube Island Festival" in the early summer or concerts later on attract an even larger crowd.
Construction of the Danube Island as a flood protection was started in the early 1970s. Excavation material was dumped between the New Danube and the existing river bed to create 21 kilometers of artificial island - the Danube Island. The island is divided into three parts, natural areas in the north and south and a city-park like area in the centre.
Vienna's Danube Island is the most popular summer oasis, right in the middle of the city. It has cool action; fantastic sports activities and a great mood are the order of the day. The "island" with its 13 mile long beach is a paradise for bicyclists, inline skaters and fishermen. Many beach bars and restaurants cater to the culinary demands and provide great entertainment until the late evening and night hours.It is known as a recreational Mecca with bars, restaurants and nightclubs, a wealth of sports opportunities from rollerblading, cycling and swimming to canoeing and a beach that looks and feels so good that it has been nicknamed the "Copa Cagrana/Copa Kagrana". For over 20 years, at the end of June, several million people have gathered at the Donauinsel to attend the biggest open air festival in Europe, the Donauinselfest. The festival, which charges no admission fee, is very popular among the Viennese population and beyond.
The central zone of the Danube Island between the Floridsdorfer Brücke and the Reichsbrücke has developed into a place for events and eating out in the past few years. For example the "Festplast" downstream of the Foridsdorfer Brücke can hold 80,000 visitors. Close to the Reichsbrücke a number of pubs, bars, restaurants and discotheques have come up. The area and has also become an international place of attraction. The annual highlight and fixed point of the event calendar is the "Danube Island Festival". It has taken place for 16 years now and attracted 2.5 million visitors to the Danube Island last year.
About the Author
Anil Gupta recommends that you visit http://www.bookings.be/city/at/vienna.html?aid=305255 for more information on Vienna hotels.
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