Plants
for the
soul
Miriam & Christian Cervantes
from Calienna
The Altstadt Vienna is located at the foot of the Spittelberg, in the middle of the trendy 7th district. Or as others call it: Boboville. Our "Local Heroes" portraits give you an insight into a piece of real Vienna. From the perspective of real Viennese, our neighbors.
Why do you like the area? Why are you in the 7th district?
The creative energy and progressive values of the city really shine in the 7th. The mix of old and new always keeps things interesting here. And there is a certain type of neighborhood vibe that makes you feel like you’re part of a village community. It’s a pocket of the city we feel proud to be in.
What are you selling? What is your passion behind it?
Calienna is a store, café, gallery and creative studio. "Grow Every Day" is our mantra and our way of life. It is our ambition to help increase consciousness and to inspire growth in our everyday lives. We are interested in finding simple ways to reconnect with nature and therefore with oneself by providing different entry points that individuals can discover for themselves along their own paths, whether that be through plants, insightful reading and conversation, introspective art, or thoughtfully made products.
Only in Vienna
A high level of sophistication and elegance mixed with down-to-earth humility.
Better elsewhere
There is a certain sleepiness to Vienna, which is both charming, but can also leave you craving more.
Sweet Vienna
Anything from the vitrine full of glorious goodies at Crème de la Crème in Lange Gasse and a scoop of Cookies and Cream or Praliné ice cream at any of the Veganista outposts.
Savory Vienna
Any type of dumpling dish at Die Herknerin, she makes the best ones in the city! Perfectly puffed up Schnitzel with a side of cucumber and potato salad at Skopik and Lohn. The taco special at Maíz (to get our Mexican food fix when we miss the States) and a Bing Bread or Portobello Sando with Kirin at the tiny but perfect Kikko Bā in Schleifmühlgasse. We also love a hearty traditionally Austrian meal in the secluded garden of Zum Alten Fassl on a warm summer evening.
After dark
A drink in the Schanigarten of Propeller on the corner of Margaretenstraße and Krongasse. It’s our local go-to spot and we are grateful to live close by.
Not in any tourist guide
Gustav Mahler once said "When the world ends, I’ll move to Vienna. There everything happens 10 years later." In this city people don’t seem too fussed with what’s trendy or off the moment and after many years in Los Angeles, New York and London we find this really refreshing.
Your favorite spot
We’ve always loved the movie Before Sunrise and whenever we happen to walk through Franziskanerplatz in the first district it takes us right back. If you can, sit down and have a coffee in the Schanigarten of Kleines Café.
A must-see
A movie at Filmcasino or Gartenbaukino. We love going to the movies and Vienna has some really special cinema gems to offer.
Can be skipped, although in all the tourist guides
That’s hard to tell, but maybe the 1st district during high tourist season. It’s best to go in the early mornings or later evenings to enjoy the beauty without the crowds.
What do you love about Vienna?
The Viennese really love to complain. But under the surface you can always feel their love for this city.
Calienna
www.calienna.com
Neubaugasse 68
Opening hours
Monday to Friday 11am - 7pm
Saturday 11am - 6pm
Fotos © Julius Hirtzberger
