die dritte mann tour

Ticket-Info Sewer

Due to high popularity we strongly recommend making a reservation. Tickets are paid at the cash desk (Karlsplatz-Girardipark, 1010 Vienna, opposite Café Musem). Reserved tickets must be picked up 20 minutes before the start of the tour.

Prices : Adults : 10 euros Discount : 8 euros (valid for guests of our cooperation partners, recruits, civil servants and students) Youth/school classes : 5 euros (valid for apprentices and pupils from 12-18 years as well as teachers accompanied by their school class) Reservation : Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on the Vienna Canal booking telephone number +43 1 4000 3033 or online here. Cancellation : If you cannot visit us unexpectedly, please inform us early enough by email or call. This enables us to sell your tickets to other guests. With your reservation you accepted the general terms and conditions and the house rules. Please do not forget the area code in the mobile phone number! (e.g. + 49 1567 ...)

May - October Thur - Su 10.00 am - 8.00 pm Every full hour Last tour 7.00 pm Tel.: +43 1 4000-3033

Maximum 20 persons per tour

Karlsplatz-Girardipark, 1010 Vienna, opposite Café Museum

€ 10,00 Fullprice €   8,00 Reduction 1 (co-operation guests, presence and civilian servants, students, owner of a Vienna City Card) €   5,00 Reduction 2 (apprentices and pupils from 12-18 years or teachers accompanying the group)

cooperation partner

  [An * means an affiliate relationship; see footer] City guide | Search the site | April tips

Visiting Vienna

The Third Man tour

The Vienna sewers offer an unexpected chance to relive a piece of cinematic history. The Third Man Tour lets you follow in the actual underground footsteps of Harry Lime.

• Lovely little tour with anecdotes & humour
• Also learn about modern sewage management
• Run by the municipal sewer authorities
• Very authentic feeling down below
• Opens May to October in 2024
• Book a themed guided tour * for Vienna
• Tours in Vienna
• Third Man movie locations
• Third Man museum

Chasing Harry Lime

(Guess who ran down these steps?)

The movies have given us a fair few iconic sequences. And one of them plays out in the sewers of post-WWII Vienna: Harry Lime’s desperate attempt to avoid his pursuers near the end of The Third Man .

The screen fills with tunnels and tension, distant echoes, dark shadows, and rushing water.

Amazingly, they produced this extended scene using clever editing and just two rather atmospheric locations down in the local sewer system.

Over 70 years later, and you can visit both places on the Third Man tour offered by Vienna’s own Wien Kanal sewer authorities, who manage just under 2,500km of city sewers.

(Jürgen Czernohorszky, city councillor responsible for climate issues, is taken on the Third Man Tour. The overflow area is instantly recognisable from the Third Man sequence; press photo © PID/VOTAVA)

The tour begins at the very same entrance Harry Lime dropped into. At the bottom, the sewer team guide explains some of the work of today’s sewer management.

Very short walks down more steps and along tunnels then take you to the two actual film locations:

First, the overflow chamber , where a film projected onto the wall reveals various TV and film productions shot in that very place

You move around the same walkways the actors used, and the location feels unchanged since Harry Lime teetered along the edges of the overflow. Close your eyes and you can almost hear the calls of the police.

(Where the Wienfluss emerges at the Stadtpark ; you stand about a kilometer further down the tunnel on the tour)

Second, the Wienfluss (River Wien) where it runs underground, home to the wide, open tunnel scenes

This is history made real.

Quite apart from the Third Man connection, you find yourself in a giant broad underground channel and cavern with tall ceilings, the river walled over some 1km in each direction. And all built well over 100 years ago. Little thuds and echoes add a certain frisson to the experience.

The tour lasts around 45 minutes and is really quite fun. The sewer team throw out a host of anecdotes laced with plenty of Viennese humour.

(Regulation of the Wienfluss on Karlsplatz around 1900, photographed by Verlag resp. k. u. k. Universitätsbuchhandlung R. Lechner (Wilh. Müller), produced by Verlag d. Vereines v. gold. Kreuze. with Josef Löwy as reproduction technician and Friedrich Jasper as printer; Wien Museum Inv.-Nr. 231173; excerpt reproduced with permission under the terms of the CC0 licence)

Contrary to expectations, the smell is not that bad, either. Not particularly fragrant at times, but the sewers involve plenty of natural water so it’s little worse than a somewhat stale basement. And the Wienfluss channel, for example, is a waterway, so perfectly clean.

You don’t do too much walking: just steps up and down and along short, flat walkway areas and tunnels. These can be a touch damp with one or two darker areas (you wear a hard hat with a lamp, but I didn’t need the latter).

Check the safety precautions and house rules, of course, before taking the tour.

Tickets and tips

(The meeting point is clearly marked)

You buy your ticket at the kiosk near the tour entrance (€10 for an adult at the time of writing and well worth it).

However, you should reserve a place in advance: tour slots fill up, and you may well be disappointed if you try to get in on the day. The official website has an online tool which gets you a reservation number and email you can show at the kiosk.

In 2024, tours took place from May 2nd to October 31st, Thursdays to Sundays, with an English-language tour at 3pm.

Vienna provided almost all the settings for The Third Man, of course. I have an extensive location guide (with photos) should you wish to see more than the sewers. And we have the lovely Third Man museum , too, with its myriads of memorabilia.

How to get there

The tour start and ticket counter are at the northwest corner of the small Girardi park that adjoins Karlsplatz. Look for the large red “3. Mann Tour” lettering opposite Café Museum (one of Vienna’s traditional coffee houses).

By coincidence, the park is named after an actor: Alexander Girardi (1850-1918), who performed both on film and stage. His statue lies close to the tour start.

Karlsplatz is easy to reach on the edge of the old town and a quick walk from the State Opera House , for example.

Subway: a stop on the U1, U2 and U4 lines

Tram: the Oper/Karlsplatz tram stop has the D, 1, 2, 71 and 62 tram lines

Address: Girardipark, Karlsplatz, 1010 Vienna

• Go to navigation
• Go to content
• Go to search

Sprache / Jezik / Dil

• Bosanski Hrvatski Srpski
• Türkçe
• Current tab: Search for

Address finder

• Current section: Topics

Contact the City

Emergency numbers.

• Education & Research
• Business & Media
• Culture & History
• Current subtopic: Environment & Leisure
• Health & Social Services
• Transportation & Urban Planning
• Living, Housing & Working
• Politics & Administration

Your current position:

• Environment & Leisure
• Sewer system

Vienna and "The Third Man"

Topics menu.

• Bodies of water
• Climate Protection
• Energy planning
• Environmental Protection
• Ombuds Office for Animal Protection
• Ombuds Office for Environmental Protection
• Parks and Gardens
• Public Baths
• Vienna's Water Supply
• Viennese Wine
• The Third Man Tour
• A minimum age of twelve years is required
• When: between 10 am and 8 pm every hour on the hour from Thursday to Sunday from May to October
• Where: Girardipark , 1040 Vienna , opposite Café Museum, an oversized red sewer grate and an enormous neon sign mark the start
• Hotline: +43 1 4000 3033, Monday to Friday, 7.30 am until 4.30 pm
• Online reservartion

The "Third Man Tour" is a popular tourist attraction.

The Third Man Tour is an unforgettable way to experience the world of the film classic "The Third Man". Seven metres below ground level, visitors receive information about Vienna's sewer system and work in the sewers. Equipped with a safety helmet and a headlamp, you will explore Vienna’s underground.

The original spiral staircase from the film leads you down into one of the oldest parts of Vienna’s sewer system. The "cholera sewers", running parallel to the River Wien on its left and right, were built in the 1830s and have remained virtually unchanged to this day.

Wien Kanal and the "Third Man Tour" have a long-standing cooperation with many businesses: Time Travel Vienna , Vienna Tourist Board , viennatour.at , Café Museum and SchokoMuseum Wien .

Working at an iconic film location

The overflow chamber - one of the original locations of the film classic

The chase scene with Orson Welles as Harry Lime in the film "The Third Man" became world famous, and with it, Vienna’s sewer system. Today, Vienna’s sewer system is a modern wastewater management system that combines technological innovation with a long history.

The Austrian crime series "Inspector Rex" and " Kottan ermittelt " both filmed episodes here, and world-famous Austrian singer Falco shot his video for "Jeanny" in the catacombs of the sewer system.

State-of-the-art projection and lighting technology will transport you into the world of sewerage workers, film agents, smugglers and spies. The new technology will make your visit to Vienna’s sewers an even more authentic experience.

The spectacular vaulted covering of the River Wien

At the end of the tour, you can enjoy a unique view of the River Wien below ground. Below the Naschmarkt market, it flows through an enormous subterranean tunnel whose impressive dimensions are illuminated with floodlights.

Other parts of the tour

In addition to the sewer tour, the Third Man Tour includes entry to the " Third Man Museum " in Vienna’s fourth district. The Third Man Walk of " Vienna Walks & Talks " follows the film classic above ground. You can also watch the original film in the old Burgkino cinema . With the Vienna Card, you will get reduced admission at the other tour partners.

A film score becomes a classic

An award-winning classic set in Vienna

The world-famous "Harry Lime Theme", also known as "Third Man Theme", composed by the Viennese artist Anton Karas , was number 1 of the US charts for 11 weeks. The Third Man premiered in London on 2 September 1949. Director Carol Reed was awarded the Palme d’Or in Cannes. On 10 March 1950, the film was first shown in Austria, in the Apollo cinema in Vienna. That same month, the film received an Academy Award for Best Cinematography (Black-and-White). In the 1950s, it was only shown in the dubbed German version, and it disappeared from the Austrian screens in the second half of the 1960s. In 1979, the original English version of The Third Man was shown in Vienna for the first time. In 1980, it started playing at Burgkino , and it has lost none of its attraction to this day.

Film synopsis

Penicillin smuggler Harry Lime flees underground.

It is February 1947. In the bombed-out ruins of Vienna, misery and the black market reign supreme. The American pulp Western writer Holly Martins comes to Vienna to meet his old childhood friend Harry Lime. However, he learns that Harry died in a traffic accident. At his funeral he meets Major Calloway, the head of the British military police, who laconically informs him that Harry was one of Vienna’s most dangerous smugglers.

Holly decides to investigate his friend’s death and clear his name. On his search for the truth he meets Harry Lime’s friends and his girlfriend Anna Schmid . He gradually becomes more and more embroiled in the intrigue surrounding Harry.

Harry Lime fleeing through Vienna’s sewers

Harry, in the meantime, has gone into hiding. He had only faked his death so he could continue to ply his flourishing black market trade with diluted penicillin in the Soviet-controlled sector.

The sewers allow him to move through the city unhindered. After being given away by a lit window, Harry manages to escape through the sewers. Major Calloway realises he buried the wrong man.

After a confrontation between Harry Lime and Holly Martins on the Giant Ferris Wheel, Harry finally meets his death in the dark, dank underground of Vienna. The film ends as it began: at Harry’s funeral on Vienna Central Cemetery.

Interesting film facts

Sewer brigade, 1945

• In the exciting sewer chase , we see members of the sewer brigade and workers of what would later become Wien Kanal .
• The sewer scenes for the film were all shot in one location. The excellent camera work makes it seem like different locations were used.

The entrance in Friedrichstrasse at the "Day of the German Police" 1939

• Vienna's sewer system is 2,400 kilometres long - approximately the distance from Vienna to Cairo.
• Two thirds of the locations in Vienna still exist: In addition to the Giant Ferris Wheel and Harry’s house , you can also visit the grave at Vienna Central Cemetery .
• Paul Hörbiger did not speak a word of English. An interpreter had to be hired to say his lines so he could repeat them.
• The streets are wet in most scenes, although it was not raining. The fire brigade would wet the streets to make the shadows stand out better.
• The Third Man Museum is the only museum worldwide dedicated to a single film.
• The actor Orson Welles was doubled several times by an extra from Wien Film and not, as often claimed, by a Viennese butcher.

Still from the death scene of the classic "The Third Man"

• Many scenes show Vienna although they were filmed at the studio in London .
• Little Hansel got his role by chance when he visited his father, a lighting technician, on set.

Further information

© Stadt Wien, Rathaus, A-1010 Wien • Credits and disclaimer • Privacy

Überprüfen Sie Ihre Bestellung

Geben Sie Ihre Anschrift an

Bestätigung

Abschluss der Bestellung

Nicht möglich

Kooperationspartner.

Artikel weiterempfehlen

Mit * gekennzeichnete Felder sind verpflichtend.

Empfehlung erfolgreich verschickt

Vielen Dank, dass Sie unseren Artikel weiterempfohlen haben.

Die angegebenen Daten und E-Mail-Adressen werden nicht gespeichert oder weiterverwendet.

• E-Mail ist ein Pflichtfeld.
• Bitte geben Sie eine gültige E-Mail Adresse ein.
• E-Mail Adresse gültig
• Name ist ein Pflichtfeld.

Betreff: Empfehlung von www.wien.info

• Fehler: Bitte einen Moment Geduld, die Überprüfung läuft noch.
• Fehler: Bitte erneut versuchen. Tritt der Fehler weiterhin auf, können wir Sie nicht als Mensch identifizieren. Daher können Sie aus Sicherheitsgründen kein Formular abschicken.
• Seite teilen Auf X teilen Auf Facebook teilen Auf LinkedIn teilen weiterempfehlen

Sie sind hier:

• Geheimtipps

Der dritte Mann in Wien

In Wien wurde 1948 der Filmklassiker "Der dritte Mann" gedreht. Heute können Besucher den Spuren Harry Limes folgen: auf einer 3. Mann Tour durch die Kanalisation, im Riesenrad oder im Dritte Mann Museum.

Das Riesenrad im Prater und die Wiener Kanalisation, Orson Welles und die eindringliche Zithermusik von Anton Karas: Der Filmklassiker "Der dritte Mann" zeigt ein Wien, wie es bis dahin nicht auf der Leinwand zu sehen war. Basierend auf einem Drehbuch des englischen Romanciers Graham Greene inszenierte der Regisseur Carol Reed die Geschichte des Schmugglers Harry Lime, verkörpert von Orson Welles. Es ist ein Spiel des Versteckens im Wien des Jahres 1948, in einer Stadt, die noch schwer unter den Schäden des Krieges leidet. Reed zeigt die dunklen Seiten, die Kriegsruinen und die Kanalisation, aber auch die pittoresken Gassen der Innenstadt und Wiener Wahrzeichen wie das Riesenrad.

Bis heute hat "Der dritte Mann" nichts von seiner Faszination verloren. Davon können sich Besucher bei einer 3. Mann Tour überzeugen. Mit Bildmaterial und Musikbeispielen taucht man bei der speziellen Tour von Vienna Walks + Talks in die Atmosphäre des Films ein und folgt den Spuren Harry Limes zu den Originalschauplätzen in der Wiener Innenstadt wie Josephsplatz oder Mölkerbastei.

Bei der 3. Mann Tour – Kanal geht es über die original Filmtreppe hinunter in einen der ältesten Teile der Wiener Kanalisation. Die Cholerakanäle wurden in den 1830er Jahren errichtet und sind bis heute nahezu unverändert. Die Besucher tauchen mittels modernster Projektions- und Lichttechnik in die Welt der Kanalarbeiter, Filmagenten, Schmuggler und Spione ein. Eine einmalige "unterirdische Aussicht" in den Wienfluss bietet der Abschluss der Führung. Der Fluss verschwindet unter dem Naschmarkt in einem gewaltigen Gewölbe, dessen Dimension mit Scheinwerfern eindrucksvoll in Szene gesetzt wird.

Das Burg Kino am Opernring zeigt den "dritten Mann" jeden Dienstag, Freitag und Sonntag. Im Sommer 2015 ist der Film digital restauriert und in neuer 4k-Auflösung als DVD- und BluRay-Sammleredition weltweit erschienen.

Mit Vienna Now in die Filmstadt Wien

Einen anderen Zugang zur Welt des Filmklassikers bietet das Dritte Mann Museum . Unter zahlreichen Requisiten aus dem Film, vielen Fotos und Objekten aus der Nachkriegszeit befindet sich hier auch die Original-Zither, mit der Anton Karas in London die Filmmusik komponierte und einspielte. Sowohl das Dritte-Mann-Museum als auch das Burgkino sind neuerdings in die Dritte-Mann-Tour eingebunden. Beim Besuch einer Station gibt es Ermäßigungen für jede weitere.

Ein beliebtes Ausflugsziel ist jener Drehort, der im Film am Anfang und am Ende vorkommt: der Wiener Zentralfriedhof in Simmering. Diese Friedhofsanlage, die zweitgrößte Europas, ist ein Ort der Ruhe und Besinnung.

Voller Leben steckt dagegen der traditionsreiche Vergnügungspark im Prater: Auf dem Riesenrad spielte nicht nur eine wichtige Filmszene von "Der Dritte Mann". Aus den Waggons kann man einen einzigartigen Blick von oben über Wien genießen.

Das Dritte Mann Dinner im Riesenrad

Im Riesenrad gibt es auch ein thematisch passendes Dinner: vom Harry-Lime-Cocktail bis zum Alliierten-Vorspeisenteller. Das Dinner im Luxus-Waggon kann für Gruppen an beliebigen Terminen gebucht werden. Preise und Informationen unter: www.moving-events.at

3. Mann Tour

• http://www.drittemanntour.at/
• +43 1 4000 3033  (Reservierung erforderlich)

Vienna City Card

Ihr Vorteil mit der Vienna City Card : -20%

Zusatzinformation zum Angebot:

Normalpreis: 10€ Reservierung unbedingt erforderlich!

Öffnungszeiten

• Mai bis Oktober
• Führung zu jeder vollen Stunde Do - So, 10:00 - 20:00

Nur mit Führung zu besichtigen. Letzte Führung um 19 Uhr, Mindestalter 12 Jahre, Anmeldung erforderlich.

• http://www.burgkino.at
• +43 1 587 84 06

Dritte Mann Museum

• https://www.3mpc.net
• +43 (0) 676 475 7818
• [email protected]

Ihr Vorteil mit der Vienna City Card : -18%

Special Offer:

Original Kult-Museumposter (50x70cm) auf Anfrage

Normalpreis: 11 € / Ersparnis: 2 €

• für Einzelbesucher Sa, 14:00 - 18:00

aktuelle Öffnungszeiten siehe Website, Termine für Gruppen auf Anfrage

Barrierefreiheit

• 11 Stufen (Schwingtüre 90 cm breit)
• Blindenhunde erlaubt

Artikel bewerten

Feedback an die wien.info redaktion, feedback erfolgreich verschickt.

Vielen Dank für Ihre Rückmeldung zu unserem Artikel.

Es ist 1 Fehler aufgetreten. Es sind Fehler aufgetreten.

• Anrede ist ein Pflichtfeld.
• Nachricht ist ein Pflichtfeld.

Lust auf mehr?

Ergebnisse filtern.

3. Mann Tour – Kanal

• Alle Fotos anzeigen

3. Mann Tour – Kanal (Wien) - Lohnt es sich? Aktuell für 2024 (Mit fotos)

• 21. April 2015
• Aus Heft 16/2015

Die schwarze Stadt

• Von: Lars Reichardt

Nachmittags leuchtet die Brühe in Wiens Kanalisation ultramarinblau oder zinnoberrot. Ab Mai starten Kanalarbeiter für Besucher ihre Lichtshow und erzählen von den Gefahren bei Regengüssen. Stinkt nicht mal sonderlich da unten, denn die Fäkalien werden mit genügend Regen- und Brauchwasser verdünnt. In den Tunnelgängen ist Zithermusik zu hören. » Dritte Mann Tour « nennt sich der geführte Einstieg in den beleuchteten Untergrund, nach dem berühmten Spielfilm mit Orson Welles. Er spielt darin einen skrupellosen Schwarzmarkthändler im Nachkriegs-Wien, der am Ende in die Kanalisation flieht.

Die Tour ist oft ausverkauft. Kegelvereine, freiwillige Feuerwehren, Touristen, Rentner, Schulklassen schauen sich den Drehort in der 2000 Kilometer langen Kanalisation an. Die Leute, für die die Tour 1999 erfunden wurde, bleiben weitgehend aus: Filmliebhaber buchen eher die Fahrradtour oder den Abendspaziergang zu den überirdischen Drehorten rund um den ersten Bezirk. Oder sie gehen in das Museum, das den Film und die Nachkriegszeit in der Nähe des Naschmarkts dokumentiert.

Es ist weltweit das einzige Museum, das sich allein einem Film widmet. Geöffnet ist es nur jeden Samstag – und für seinen Direktor eher ein teures Hobby, denn die Ausstellungsstücke hat er in der ganzen Welt zusammengekauft: ein Originaldrehbuch, die Handkamera, mit der die Szene auf dem Riesenrad gedreht wurde, einen Gullydeckel, durch den die sterbende Hauptfigur namens Harry Lime ihre Finger streckt. Und der Museumsdirektor hört nicht auf mit dem Sammeln, er mietet immer wieder Nachbarräume am Naschmarkt an. Das Museum begreift er als sein Lebensprojekt, die Stadt soll den Film nicht vergessen.

Meistgelesen diese Woche:

Spargelschalen als Umami-Booster

Werfen Sie die Gemüsereste nicht weg – sondern machen Sie daraus ein Supergewürz! Hans Gerlach peppt damit seinen frühlingshaften Spargel-Kartoffelsalat mit gerösteten Pekannüssen und Dill auf.

Gerhard Strassgschwandtner betreibt das Museum seit den Neunzigerjahren ohne öffentliche Gelder. Er arbeitet als Fremdenführer und organisiert auch die Fahrradtouren. Als Kind hat er in den Kanälen gespielt, dort, wo das Filmende gedreht wurde, bei kleinen Jungs galt es als Mutprobe, ohne Taschenlampe hinabzusteigen. Jahrgang 1955 ist er, in seiner Schulzeit verlor man kein Wort über den Krieg und die Nazizeit. Das begann sich erst 1986 allmählich zu ändern, nachdem der damalige Bundespräsident Kurt Waldheim seine SA-Vergangenheit als Mitgliedschaft in einem harmlosen Reiterverein beschönigt hatte. Der Film ist für Strassgschwandtner eine trauriges Sinnbild für Österreichs anhaltende Verdrängung seiner Vergangenheit – und die Reise in die Filmgeschichte ist auch eine Reise in die Stadtgeschichte. Deswegen sammelt er neben skurrilen Filmdevotionalien und glamourösen Plakaten aus aller Welt auch Fotos, die den Abtransport von Juden aus der Stadt zeigen. Oder selbst gedrehte Interviews mit ehemaligen amerikanischen Bomberpiloten. Strassgschwandtner hat Architektur, Geschichte und Kunstgeschichte studiert, alles abgebrochen, aber sein Wissen macht ihn zu einem kurzweiligen Stadtführer – wie auch seine Hassliebe zur Heimat. Der gebürtige Wiener Strassgschwandtner sagt: »Der Wiener ist von seinem Wesen her grantig und böse, Beethoven verkauft er als einen Österreicher und Hitler als einen Deutschen. Gut, dass es immer weniger echte Wiener gibt.«

Der dritte Mann lief weltweit sehr erfolgreich. In Wiener Kinos wurde er schon nach fünf Wochen abgesetzt. Die Wiener sahen ihre Stadt als düstere Räuberhöhle verunglimpft und haben den Film nie sonderlich geschätzt. Das mag Strassgschwandtner seinen Landsleuten nicht verzeihen.

Düster ist der Film wirklich. Viele Szenen spielen nachts in den Straßen, und zwischen den Häuserruinen taucht immer wieder der bedrohliche Schatten der Hauptfigur auf, die sich im russischen Bezirk des besetzten Wiens versteckt.

Bis lange in die Nachkriegszeit drehte man Nachtaufnahmen am Tag und unterbelichtete die Aufnahme durch niedrigere Blendenwerte. Oder man verdunkelte den Film in der Nachbearbeitung – »Amerikanische Nacht« nannte man dieses Verfahren, das war viel billiger und technisch einfacher. Die Nachtaufnahmen beim Dritten Mann waren großteils echt und gelangen außergewöhnlich gut. Das Filmteam hatte sich einen Trick einfallen lassen: Ein Sprühwagen sorgte am Drehort dafür, dass die Straßen stets feucht waren und sich das schwache Licht der Straßenlaternen im glänzenden Trottoir spiegeln konnte. 1951 bekam der Film einen Oscar für die beste Kamera.

Noch heute zählen Cineasten und alle möglichen Charts den Dritten Mann zu den besten US-Filmen der Geschichte – obwohl er eigentlich eine englische Produktion war. Die Filmmusik von Anton Karas hat die Zither als Instrument in der ganzen Welt bekannt gemacht, die Beatles haben seine Filmmusik gecovert, die größte U-Bahnstation Tokios spielt sie bis heute beim Einfahren jedes Zuges.

Und Orson Welles war ein großer Schauspieler. Schon in den Dreißigerjahren machte er sich in New York einen Namen als Shakespeare-Interpret. Er war auch ein erfolgreicher Journalist, der 1938 mit einer fiktiven Reportage über eine Invasion Außerirdischer an der Ostküste der USA in regelrechte Massenpanik auslöste. Sogar zaubern konnte er: Während des Krieges unterhielt er die Soldaten an der Front damit, Marlene Dietrich zu zersägen. Mit 25 Jahren drehte er Citizen Kane , er schrieb am Drehbuch mit, führte Regie, produzierte den Film und spielte auch mit. Der dritte Mann war der einzige Film, in dem Welles nur mitspielte (und den er auch nach dem Dreh noch anschauen mochte).

Als Produzent hatte Welles Pech, vielleicht lag ihm das auch nicht. Drei Filme wurden nie fertiggestellt. Weil ein Schauspieler während der Dreharbeiten gestorben war oder das Geld ausging oder Filmrollen spurlos verschwanden. Oja Kodar, die Lebensgefährtin von Welles, Beatrice Welles, seine Tochter, und Peter Bogdanovich, einer der Schauspieler, stritten sich zwanzig Jahre darum, wie ein weiterer Film möglichst im Sinne des mit siebzig Jahren verstorbenen Filmgenies geschnitten werden solle. The Other Side of the Wind soll dieses Jahr endlich ins Kino kommen. Hundert Jahre nach der Geburt von Orson Welles, dreißig Jahre nach seinem Tod. In der Bar des Wiener »Hotels Sacher« trank Welles gern Bloody Mary, im Café aß er die Sacher-Torte, immer gleich zwei, drei Stück. Im Sacher wurden auch einige Szenen des Dritten Mannes gedreht. Graham Greene wohnte im »Sacher«, als er 1947 zwei Wochen in der Stadt war, um für seinen Roman zu recherchieren, der dem Drehbuch als Vorlage diente. Niemand erinnert sich, wo der damals nicht ganz so bekannte englische Schriftsteller genau untergebracht war. Mit Sicherheit schlief er aber nicht in den beiden Zimmern, die heute mit Filmplakaten an der Wand als Dritte-Mann -Suite vermietet werden.

So was passiert in Wien öfter. Beethoven hat laut Strassgschwandtner auch nie in der Wiener Wohnung gelebt, von der man das bis heute behauptet und in der das Beethoven-Museum eingerichtet wurde.

Natürlich Wiener Schnitzel - und zwar im »Gasthaus Pöschl«, Weihburggasse 17, 1010 Wien.

Übernachten

»Hotel Sacher«, Philharmonikerstraße 4, 1010 Wien. DZ ab 425 Euro, sacher.com

Das Dritte-Mann-Museum besuchen, Preßgasse 25, 1040 Wien, geöffnet samstags 14-18 Uhr oder auf Anfrage.

Foto: Peter Rigaud; Illustration: Edith Carron

• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Recommended Posts

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in

• Welcome to Cruise Critic
• ANNOUNCEMENT: Set Sail Beyond the Ordinary with Oceania Cruises
• ANNOUNCEMENT: The Widest View in the Whole Wide World
• New Cruisers
• Cruise Lines “A – O”
• Cruise Lines “P – Z”
• River Cruising
• Cruise Critic News & Features
• Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
• Special Interest Cruising
• Cruise Discussion Topics
• UK Cruising
• Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
• Canadian Cruisers
• North American Homeports
• Ports of Call
• Cruise Conversations

Announcements

• New to Cruise Critic? Join our Community!

Write Your Own Amazing Review !

Click this gorgeous photo by member SUPERstar777 to share your review!

Features & News

LauraS · Started 5 hours ago

LauraS · Started 21 hours ago

LauraS · Started Thursday at 10:20 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 07:36 PM

LauraS · Started Wednesday at 12:53 AM

• Existing user? Sign in OR Create an Account
• Find Your Roll Call
• Meet & Mingle
• Community Help Center
• All Activity
• Member Photo Albums
• Meet & Mingle Photos
• Favorite Cruise Memories
• Cruise Food Photos
• Cruise Ship Photos
• Ports of Call Photos
• Towel Animal Photos
• Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos
• Write a Review
• Live Cruise Reports
• Member Cruise Reviews
• Create New...

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Theatres in Moscow

Cultural life of Moscow city is various and rich! Operas, ballets, symphonic concerts... Russian composers have created some of the most beautiful classical music. Russian classical music is very popular in Moscow. It is performed in many beautiful historical venues. Do not forget to include a visit to a concert hall in your itinerary when you are planning your stay in Moscow! And do it in advance.

There are almost no restrictions on dress code in Russian theatres. Visitors may wear jeans and sports shoes, they may have a backpack with them. Only shorts are not allowed.

A typical feature of Russian theatre – visitors are bringing a lot of flowers which they present to their favorite performers after the show.

Here are some practical advices where to go and how to buy tickets.

The Bolshoi Theatre

The Bolshoi Theatre is the oldest, the most famous and popular opera and ballet theatre in Russia. The word “Bolshoi” means “big” in Russian. You can buy a ticket online in advance, 2-3 months before the date of performance on the official website . Prices for famous ballets are high: 6-8 thousand rubles for a seat in stalls. Tickets to operas are cheaper: you can get a good seat for 4-5 thousand rubles. Tickets are cheaper for daytime performances and performances on the New Stage. The New Stage is situated in the light-green building to the left of the Bolshoi's main building. The quality of operas and ballets shown on the New Stage is excellent too. However, you should pay attention that many seats of the Bolshoi’s Old and New Stages have limited visibility . If you want to see the Bolshoi’s Old Stage but all tickets are sold out, you can order a tour of the theatre. You can book such a tour on the official website.

If you want, following Russian tradition, to give flowers to the performers at the end of the show, in the Bolshoi flowers should be presented via special staff who collects these flowers in advance.

In August the Bolshoi is closed.

The Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko Music Theatre

This theatre is noteworthy. On one hand, it offers brilliant classical opera and ballet performances. On the other hand, it is an experimental venue for modern artists. You can check the program and buy tickets online here http://stanmus.com/ . If you are opera lover, get a ticket to see superstar Hibla Gerzmava . The theatre has a very beautiful historic building and a stage with a good view from every seat. Tickets are twice cheaper than in the Bolshoi.

The Novaya Opera

“Novaya” means “New” in Russian. This opera house was founded in 1991 by a famous conductor Eugene Kolobov. Its repertoire has several directions: Russian and Western classics, original shows and divertissements, and operas of the 20th and 21st centuries. It is very popular with Muscovites for excellent quality of performances, a comfortable hall, a beautiful Art Nouveau building and a historic park Hermitage, which is situated right next to it. You can buy tickets online here http://www.novayaopera.ru/en .

Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center

The Opera Center has become one of the best theatrical venues in Moscow. It was founded in 2002 by great diva Galina Vishnevskaya. Nowadays its artistic director is Olga Rostropovich, daughter of Galina Vishnevskaya and her husband Mstislav Rostropovich, great cellist and conductor. Not only best young opera singers perform here, but also world music stars do; chamber and symphonic concerts, theatrical productions and musical festivals take place here. You can see what is on the program here http://opera-centre.ru/theatre . Unfortunately “booking tickets online” is available in Russian only. If you need help, you can contact us at and we can book a ticket for you. 

Tchaikovsky Concert Hall and The Great Hall of Moscow Conservatory

These are two major concert halls for symphonic music in Moscow. Both feature excellent acoustics, impressive interior, various repertoire and best performers. You can check the program here http://meloman.ru/calendar/ . You need just to switch to English. Booking tickets online is available only for owners of Russian, Ukrainian and Belorussian phone numbers. If you need help, you can contact us and we can book a ticket for you. 

Moscow International Performing Arts Center (MIPAC)

This modern and elegant concert hall houses performances of national and foreign symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, solo instrumentalists, opera singers, ballet dancers, theatre companies, jazz bands, variety and traditional ensembles. Actually, it has three concert halls placed on three different levels and having separate entrances. The President of MIPAC is People’s Artist of the USSR Vladimir Spivakov, conductor of “Virtuosy Moskvy” orchestra. You can see pictures of the concert halls here http://www.mmdm.ru/en/content/halls . The program is impressive in its variety but is not translated into English. You can contact us at and we can find a performance for you.

Aerial Imagery