10 Interesting Facts About the Giant Ferris Wheel in Vienna

Engineers Harry Hitchins, Hubert Cecil Booth and Walter Basset designed the Vienna Ferris Wheel so that it can be operated by hand in case of a power cut. The idea was to make the Ferris Wheel operational at all times. In the 20th century, there were many instances where the wheel was operated by hand. But today, there are rarely such instances. It takes a lot of manpower to operate the giant Ferris wheel by hand, owing to its huge size and height.

When the Vienna Ferris Wheel was built for the first time in 1897, it had 30 cars for people to sit and ride. However, after the Second World War, when Vienna was significantly impacted, the number of cars on the Ferris Wheel was reduced to 15. This was done for safety purposes, as evacuating people in case of emergencies would be easy. This is why the Vienna Ferris Wheel looks like it has gaps between each car, giving it a gap-toothed look.

The Vienna Ferris Wheel was the tallest in the world from 1920 to 1985, standing at the height of 212 feet. When it was built in 1897, Grande Roue de Paris was the tallest Ferris Wheel in the world. However, it was demolished in 1920, making the Vennis Ferris Wheel the tallest till 1985. The title then belonged to Technocosmos in Ibaraki, Japan, which was built at the height of 85 metres. The Technocosmos (renamed Technostar) was dismantled in 2009.

The Vennis Ferris Wheel weighs about 430 tons because of the construction material used. Made with iron and heavy metals, the Vennis Ferris Wheel may be old but has not worn down over the years. The weight works in its favour, as it would take a lot of pressure to cause any damage to the Ferris Wheel. It also takes a lot of power to get the wheel running, along with frequent maintenance, which is organised regularly to avoid mishaps.

The Vienna Ferris Wheel has become an important symbol of the city. Its popularity is such that the Ferris Wheel has been featured in many domestic and international movies, including a James Bond movie! Another popular example would be Before Sunrise, released in 1995, which included a scene where the main characters are sitting inside the cars of the Ferris Wheel. You will find it in Scorpio, Woman In Gold, and Letter From An Unknown Woman, among others.

The Vienna Ferris Wheel is depicted in a James Bond movie, The Living Daylights, starring Timothy Dalton. The movie featured a fictional restaurant under the Ferris Wheel where romantic scenes were shot between the leading pair. The locals loved the idea of a restaurant right below the wheel so much that one was made at the same spot featured in the movie. The restaurant offers scenic views of the Ferris Wheel along with lip-smacking food.

Lieutenant Walter Bassett was one of the engineers who oversaw the construction process of the Vienna Ferris Wheel through his business. He was the son of British naval officer Charles Bassett. His business was unsuccessful, as a lot of funds were allocated to the functioning of the Vienna Ferris Wheel. In 1907, when Walter Bassett passed away with his business on the verge of bankruptcy, it was decided that the Ferris Wheel would be demolished. But for some reason, it never happened.

The Vienna Ferris Wheel offers a unique dining experience where people can have candlelight dinners inside the cars. Each course is served as you complete a round, where you can spend quality time with your partner, dining at one of the tallest points in the city. Watching the city’s skyline while enjoying a 3-course meal with your special someone feels magical. If you’re planning to visit the Vienna Ferris Wheel, add this experience to your itinerary and book in advance.

Austrians believe in making the most of every moment and enjoying each experience at leisure. The Vienna Ferris Wheel’s speed will give you enough time to appreciate each second you are on the wheel. One circle takes about 4 minutes to complete if the wheel moves non-stop. However, it takes about 12-15 minutes to complete one round. The top speed of the Vienna Ferris Wheel is 2.7 km/h, giving you enough time take beautiful pictures of the city.