Prater is thought to derive its name from the Latin word for 'meadow'- pratum possibly from the Spanish prado, because of the firstst owners of this area. In 1162, Emperor Friedrich I endowed the noble De Prato family with the land, but the name Prater was first mentioned three centuries later in 1403, referring to an insignificant Danube island. Being suitable for hunting, in the mid-16th Century, De Prato'sland was bought by Emperor Maximilian II. Ever since that time, the Prater has been used in one way or another for amusement and recreational purposes. At first, the hunting field was closed for public use, in order for the game to be safe from poachers (though this order was barely kept) but as late as the mid-18th Century Emperor Joseph II allowed people to freely use the place for relaxation. He also allowed cafes and other leisurely places Consequently, that was the reason for the establishment of the Wurstelprater that’s so attractive nowadays. Although it was officially a city park, the hunting field function of the Prater didn’t cease until 1920.

The Wurstelprater is the best-known part of the Prater, but very often people confuse it with the whole assembly of structures. At first, the section was called Volksprater (People’s Prater), but at the end of the 19th Century a new name was derived from the former Wursteltheater. In 1895, the world’s first amusement park, 'Venice in Vienna', was established there, but nowadays the only remnant of this glorious entertainment facility is the renowned Riesenrad, thought by many to be the symbol of Vienna. The mini-steamer Liliputbahn that goes around the whole Prater has its main station near the Riesenrad. Another bizarre hot spot at Wurstelprater is the so-called Republic of Kugelmugel, consisting of a lone Kugelhouse (a ball-shaped construction). The Republic of Kugelmugel declared independence in 1984, and its “president” and launcher is artist Edwin Lipburger.

The park’s facilities also include a Planetarium and the Pratermuseum in the same building, where various interesting exhibits are on display. There’s also an exhibition zone on the park’s premises that was commissioned when the World Exhibition in 1873 took place there. The Prater was equipped with a cinema in 1896, and a total of seven cinemas have functioned there, but the last one, the Lusttheater burned down in 1981 and was never rebuilt. Apart from the entertainment attractions, the Prater has pleasant greenery, and taking a stroll under the chestnut trees along the Hauptallee is simply obligatory. Also, a marathon race is held there annually, so you can enjoy this event if you happen to be around. For sports enthusiasts, also the national stadium can be found in the area. There’s more than words can say inside the Wiener Prater, so one shouldn’t miss the chance to feel its unique atmosphere.