Vienna

While I don't take tours , and would suggest any number of sources for a historical background of Second War information , this company is your best bet for Jewish Vienna - https://www.viennawalks.com/?page=detail2&tour=16 Also , this 90 minute video essay is priceless for good background of Vienna - https://youtu.be/AFZBOTgL_Hk?si=5-EWsjGYvs-BfnBc

Viator doesn't operate tours - they are a third party run by Trip Advisor that links guides with customers. Not that that is bad or anything, but just to be clear that your tour isn't with Viator.

I would suggest looking into certified tour guides. Here are a few links:

https://www.wien.info/en/see-do/discover-vienna/tours-guides/through-the-city-with-tourist-guides-361350

https://www.guides-in-vienna.at/walking-tours/jewish-vienna/

We booked through Viator, the Historical Hitler Walking tour of Vienna last September, but it didn’t include the Jewish Quarter. It was interesting, but I felt the guide white washed what happened to the Jewish population during World War Two. We did leave the tour after two hours (so it might have then gone to the Jewish quarter) after seeing revolting anti Israel stickers in the loos of one of the places we visited. When I mentioned it to the guide, she shrugged it off. Tour started off well, ended with a rather nasty taste.

Hi Susie - I'm really interested to know where you saw those stickers. Can you remember where?

Susie, that's unfortunate. I might have taken a walk too. But try not to lump the modern Austrian culture into the same basket based on the experience. Easier said than done, I know.

Susie , watch the video I posted at the head of this thread . Joseph Koerner ,( the writer and presenter of this program is Jewish , and goes into great detail about the Jewish experience in Vienna . It is a sobering story to say the least . There was a large Jewish presence in Vienna in the Fin de Siècle into the early twentieth century The writers Arthur Schnitzler and Stefan Zweig , the composers Gustav Mahler and Erich Korngold , The physicist , Lise Meitner , the Ephrussi and Rothschild bankers - , the list is endless. For a deeper understanding of Antisemitism at the turn of the twentieth century in Vienna this book -https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fin-de-si%C3%A8cle_Vienna is an excellent source . The chapter " Politics in a New Key : An Austrian Trio " chronicles the rise of Antisemitism , and its three major figures - Schoenerer . Lueger , and Herzl . Coincidently , when I visit Vienna , I stay in a hotel in Leopoldstadt { the old Jewish quarter ) going back this Autumn .

After two hours walking around in the humidity, my attention started to fade, but I remember it was an old building, with a cafe inside and toilets. When I complained to the guide, she shrugged it off as ‘you know what students are like’, so it must have been some sort of building now used for education. The guide was talking about his paintings and how he applied for art school. the building was opposite the tram line around the ring road. Unfortunately, what I saw reminded me of anti Semitic statements I have experienced from Austrians (but not in Austria itself), one of whom is my husband’s uncle (by marriage). But, I am returning to Vienna next March as I do love the city and it will be my 5th visit. Otherwise, the tour itself was interesting.

... so it must have been some sort of building now used for education. The guide was talking about his paintings and how he applied for art school. the building was opposite the tram line around the ring road.

I guess this was the Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien (Academy of Fine Arts Vienna) where Hitler wanted to study but his application was turned down.

Hard to imagine how history would have taken a different path if he would have been allowed studying there to become a painter.

We did leave the tour after two hours (so it might have then gone to the Jewish quarter) after seeing revolting anti Israel stickers in the loos of one of the places we visited. When I mentioned it to the guide, she shrugged it off.

Antisemitism in Europe (including Austria) has a history of centuries, for various reasons, and is too complex to be elaborated here. Regarding the last century @steven has already given a good reference in a previous post.

Nowadays antisemitism in Austria is not a big issue, although there is an increase due to the considerable number of muslims seeking asylum in Austria, coming mostly from countries hostile to Israel.

Austria (and especially Germany) are the staunchest defenders of Israel, in view of the historical guilt they have incurred with the Holocaust. Given what happens now in Gaza and the Westbank Israel is beginning to squander this goodwill.

The sticker you have seen is most likely anti-Israel, but not antisemitic. It is not against the Jews, it is against what the current administration of Israel is doing (with the consent of US). But in both Austria and Germany Israel's officials, and reflexively local politicians, render any criticism of Israels policies as antisemitism, thus suppressing any meaningful discussion by publicly shaming critics.

The loudest voices come from students, similar what happened at American universities.

Jewish Austrian writer Eva Menasse has described recently (for Germany) how far this has already been going. There is no difference to the situation in Austria. This is a not so subtle attack on free speech.
If you want to read this article, here it is: https://bit.ly/Bad_Memories

I think it unlikely that Hitler would have remained a painter even if he had gained admission to the Art School . Early in his Vienna sojourn , he was already strongly influenced by Von Schonerer and his rabid brand of Antisemitism and Pan German Nationalism .One other anecdote about Hitler and his impact on Austria , is the half joking remark that " The Viennese were the only people who were able to convince the world that Hitler was German , and Beethoven , an Austrian " This comment is often attributed to the great Austrian-American film writer and director , Billy Wilder

Sorry I couldn’t name the building, but the heat and humidity nearly finished me off. As for the sticker, it wasn’t just the Palestinian flag, but one with the Israeli PM with a Hitler moustache and another of a Star of David with graffiti on it. As for immigrants being anti Semitic, I lived in Saudi Arabia for many years, yet the most anti Semitic statements were from European staff. Mind you, that sentiment changed after October 7, when protestors at the Sydney Opera House were calling out to ‘gas the Jews’ and two years of virulent anti Semitism and protests in Australia saw the murder of 15 people (the majority, Jews) on Bondi Beach. Anyway, enough politics, but Rick Steves maintains that travelling is a political.

Thanks for the feedback. We did the tour booked through Viator. The guide, Ivan, is certified and presented information in a very respectful manner. It definitely presented a different perspective, from a European viewpoint, on why Hitler managed to ascend to power. Definitely found the tour worthwhile and would highly recommend the guide, Ivan Sarcevic.

It would be interesting ( in a nutshell , of course ) if you could explain what a " European perspective " is ?

If the OP is American, it would be interesting ( in a nutshell , of course ) if you could explain what a " American perspective " is ?