by Alberto Rochira

(ANSA) - VIENNA - A magnificent boulevard 5.3 kilometers long, with impressive buildings, which includes the historic centre of the city and continues to be the 'fulcrum' of cultural, social and political life in Vienna and in the whole of Austria. That's the ''Ringstrasse'', one of the world's most famous streets, which in 2015 will celebrate its 150th birthday in a very original way.

150 years after the inauguration, in fact, many special exhibitions will be staged in several museums and galleries, where the Ringstrasse will be looked at from a completely different angle. This avenue has always mirrored the great transformations occurred in Vienna: in the past it really represented a revolution in urban planning, and today right here you can find the city's multi-faceted cultural offer. Not only classic performances at the Vienna State Opera, but also sporting events like Vienna City Marathon, and the extravagant Life Ball.

Isabella Rauter, media manager (Italy), stressed the importance of the Ringstrasse to the city and its history: ''In the Ringstrasse you can find the essence of Vienna. It's the place where the city's guests can experience all that has made Vienna one of the world's most popular destinations: the past with the imperial palace Hofburg, the city of music and art with the State Opera and the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna cuisine in the traditional cafés and the balance between urban and green areas in the city parks''. In order to celebrate this jubilee, the Vienna Tourist Board has invited thirteen renowned international authors, including Nicola Lecca (Italy), Vladimir Sorokin (Russia) and Bonyhady Timothy (Australia), who will provide their literary contributions on the Ringstrasse. These texts have been published in the book ''1865 2015 150 Jahre Wiener Ringstrasse - Dreizehn Betrachtungen'' (1865, 2015, 150 years of Ringstrasse - Thirteen considerations) and are available in bookstores.

The Ringstrasse was inaugurated on May 1,1865 by Emperor Franz Joseph I, where once the city walls protected Vienna's imperial centre from enemies. The goal was to create the largest urban planning for the city, with buildings representing the Habsburg dynasty and the growing middle class. Among the buildings commissioned by the Habsburg dynasty are the Kunsthistorisches Museum, the Natural History Museum, the State Opera, the Neue Burg Palace and the Burgtheater. Among the buildings erected for the people are the Houses of Parliament, the City Hall and the University.

Nowadays, numerous events take place along the Ringstrasse, including the Music Festival on a large screen in front of the Town Hall, the Festival of Taste, focused on typical flavours and staged in the Stadtpark, as well as many important exhibitions at the Kunsthistorisches Museum. And the section of the Ring along the Danube Canal has become a hotspot, with many venues including Strandbar Herrmann and Tel Aviv Beach, and interesting examples of contemporary architecture such as the Sofitel Vienna, designed by Jean Nouvel.(ANSA).