EuroPerio11: Get ready for Vienna, where science meets soul

Dental Tribune International

Mon. 28. April 2025

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VIENNA, Austria: Attendees of EuroPerio11 can look forward to a host city that seamlessly combines aesthetics with function. Known as both the City of Music and the City of Dreams, Vienna brings the old world into the digital age by harmonising centuries of imperial heritage and a rich cultural tapestry with scientific excellence. The enchanting capital was once home to Sigmund Freud and Empress Elisabeth of Austria, and dental professionals should resist neither its invitation to reflect nor its elegant charm.

Having advanced healthcare infrastructure and a deep intellectual history, Vienna is an ideal destination for dental professionals seeking more than just continuing education. The city invites visitors to connect with both its rich culture and the people around them while also offering space for self-reflection.

Cobbled streets and coffee

VIECON (formerly Messe Wien) is well connected with Vienna’s historic inner city via the U2 underground train line. A 10-minute ride will bring visitors to the Karlsplatz or Stephansplatz stations, and both offer an ideal starting point for exploring the compact treasure trove of pedestrian-friendly streets and grand architecture.

Centred around St Stephen’s Cathedral, the inner city area is enclosed by the Ringstrasse, a circular boulevard that traces the path of the old city walls and connects monumental sites like the Parliament and the University of Vienna. Wander through Graben, Kohlmarkt and Kärntner Straße for elegant shops, eateries and historic façades. Pause at the Hofburg palace, once the seat of the Habsburgs and now home to museums and the Spanish Riding School. Nearby, the Albertina Museum and Vienna State Opera reflect the city’s rich cultural life.

Time for a break? Vienna and coffee houses go together like whipped cream and Sachertorte. (Image: efesenko – stock.adobe.com)

Vienna and coffee-houses go together like whipped cream and Sachertorte, and the city’s most casual haunts have provided sustenance and refuge to many a weary traveller. Viennese coffee-house culture is recognised as part of Austria’s intangible heritage, and the city’s love affair with the bean dates to shortly after the Battle of Vienna in 1683, when the retreating Ottoman forces serendipitously left behind bags of roasted coffee. Legend has it that a man named Georg Franz Kolschitzky used them to open one of the city’s first cafés.

But Vienna’s coffee-houses are not just about getting a caffeine hit. They ooze atmosphere, and visitors can sit for hours with a single cup and read, write, think or people-watch. Philosophers, poets, composers and revolutionaries all found their groove in these velvet-seated salons. Thinkers like Freud and Trotsky often lingered at Café Central, and other well-known retreats include Café Sperl and Café Hawelka, the latter of which was popular among bohemian post-war artists. Stay as long as you like. The waiter will not rush you—elegant idleness is part of the charm.

A medical legacy of global impact

Vienna has long stood at the forefront of medical advancement. The Medical University of Vienna, founded in 1365, remains a hub for leading research and education. It has been home to pioneers such as Ignaz Semmelweis, whose advocacy for antisepsis saved countless lives, and Karl Landsteiner, who was awarded a Nobel prize for his discovery of blood groups.

One essential stop for the medically curious is the ableistly named Narrenturm, or “Fool’s Tower”. Europe’s first purpose-built psychiatric hospital, it was founded in 1784 and is now home to the pathologic-anatomical collection of the Natural History Museum Vienna. The collection of historical medical specimens and instruments offers a powerful glimpse into the evolution of clinical thought and public health. Also of note is the site of the old Vienna General Hospital, which is now one of Europe’s largest and a shining example of the integration between clinical care, teaching and biomedical research.

A cultural prescription

Given that the live surgeries at EuroPerio11 will be performed at the nearby dental clinic of Sigmund Freud Private University, attendees are guaranteed to encounter the legacy of the great Austrian philosopher. Vienna has long been a site for existential reflection, and visitors can glean Freud’s influence in the city’s thoughtful architecture and expansive parks. Those seeking a closer look can stop at the Sigmund Freud Museum, located in his former home and consulting office. Original furnishings are displayed alongside artefacts and exhibits chronicling the birth of psychoanalysis.

Vienna’s role as a cultural capital is undeniable. It was home to Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert and Mahler. Today, the Vienna State Opera, Musikverein and countless smaller venues continue to deliver transcendent musical experiences. Attending a concert or opera performance is not simply entertainment—it is a continuation of Vienna’s living cultural tradition, and a perfect way to shift from cerebral intensity to emotional resonance. Surprisingly, given that Vienna is more famously tied to classical music, there is a thriving jazz scene located around the hip Neubau district.

Destinations like Schloss Schönbrunn (pictured) and Schloss Belvedere are popular in the springtime. (Image: neiezhmakov – stock.adobe.com)

For visual inspiration, visit the Belvedere palace to find out why key works of Viennese modernism are among some of the world’s most reproduced paintings. The turn-of-the-twentieth-century movement propelled the city’s artists, designers and architects to break from the past, advocating for a “romanticism of the nerves” that celebrated sensations and heralded the end of naturalism. Collection highlights such as Der Kuss by Gustav Klimt and Die Umarmung by Egon Schiele echo an embracing of the senses that extended to music, philosophy and literature and can still be heard today.

Pause, reflect, savour

In Vienna, wellness is less of a buzzword than a way of life, and it often involves food. Traditional Austrian cuisine—like Tafelspitz or hearty stews—coexists with more contemporary vegan and vegetarian options. However, for many visitors, a trip to Vienna still holds the promise of a life-changing schnitzel experience. The famous Figlmüller restaurant offers just that at two locations in the inner city, at Wollzeile 5 and Bäckerstraße 6. Its plate-obscuring portion sizes have led to the belief that the Figlmüller schnitzel actually hovers above the table. Those seeking more of a restorative evening may venture into the wine-growing districts of Grinzing or Nussdorf to visit a Heuriger, a charming wine tavern serving local vintages in a relaxed, rustic garden setting.

Those wishing to set out from the congress venue on foot are likely to stumble across the nearby Leopoldstadt quarter. Encompassing the streets lying between the Danube and the Donaukanal, the area is leafy, laid-back and full of surprises. The Prater park and its iconic Ferris wheel offer a nostalgic touch, and the Karmelitermarkt is an artsy spot replete with indie cafés and eateries and hosts a lively Saturday market. The nearby stretch of Donaukanal is an urban hotspot, and a stroll along the canal paths reveals beach bars, colourful street art and pop-up springtime events. Keep an eye out for famous local spots like Strandbar Herrmann and Badeschiff, a floating pool and bar offering a wide array of drinks and snacks.

As the congress draws to a close, visitors may notice that Vienna has done more than host their stay; it may have subtly shifted their perspective. Inspiration and serenity can be found in many places, and the City of Dreams has a way of embedding itself in the waking memory. More than a place of history or beauty, but one of dialogue, Vienna reminds us that, in order to care deeply for others, we must also nourish our own minds, hearts and senses.

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