This is the international capital of espionage: this is the nest of secret agents during the Cold War and the reasons why you should visit it

Portrayed in the world of cinema as a nest of agents, this city is reputed to be the capital of international espionage. Due to its history and its strategic position in Europe, Vienna It became the epicenter of operations, especially when, after World War II, it was the key point of diplomatic negotiations between socialist and Western intelligence centers.

The “business” of espionage

In order to understand the reason for this nickname, it is important to remember what it was so much the geographical position, as well as the strategic from Austria. As Vienna is located in the heart of Europe and very close to what was considered the ‘Iron Curtain’, it became the perfect place to develop this type of activities. Furthermore, his obsession during the Cold War was to remain as neutral as possible, a characteristic that favored the creation of a good atmosphere within the country.

Espionage was and continues to be a business that involves many people and, above all, moves money. During the Cold War, many of the refugees living there were willing to sell information. Today, with four United Nations headquarters and 40 major international organizations, Vienna could be considered, not only formerly, but also now, a hotbed of information.

Furthermore, Austria has some of the more “relaxed” laws regarding espionage, which has contributed to its reputation as a spy’s paradise. With all this, the environment facilitated anonymity and good communication.

Places to visit in Vienna

If you are interested in the world of espionage, within Vienna you can find different emblematic places that can be visited today and have an interesting history.

Mandatory stop on any trip to Vienna, Café Central is one of the most iconic places of this city. In addition, during the Cold War it served as a meeting point for spies. We are even talking about personalities like Freud and Leon Trotsky also frequenting this place.

The Austrian National Library surprises with its number of books and documents, as well as its majesty. There, you can also find a complete archive on the secret operations carried out by the Gestapo in Vienna. In addition to a whole collection of reports on Soviet and Western intelligence activities during the Cold War.

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