Vienna is recognized on international levels for a variety of its cultural and artistic establishments. Some of its contemporary organizations are acclaimed throughout the world and the city maintains an extremely significant standing. Meanwhile, its history is also extremely impressive and the city has seen more than its fair share of turbulence and chaos, though it has endured, survived and continues to thrive. The city itself dates back to its original founding in approximately 500 BCE. And interestingly, it has origins as a Celtic settlement. In 15 BCE it transitioned into a Roman frontier city and was essential in protecting the Roman Empire.
By the medieval period, Vienna was coming under threat of the Mongolian Empire, though the Empire was never fully able to establish control of the city and by the late middle ages it was free of the threat. During much of this time it was the home of the Babenberg Dynasty. By the middle of the fifteenth century, Vienna was the centralized residence of the entire Hapsburg Dynasties . Eventually the city became the capital of the Holy Roman Empire and was the center of culture for the Western world. Finally, after years of repeated siege attempts and a brief occupation by Hungary , in 1804 Vienna became the capital of the Austrian Empire. It has continued to play an essential role in politics and world culture throughout the centuries. And while all of this is interesting to readers, the tourists in a Vienna hotel are able to view some of the architectural remains from these periods.