Spittelberg, originally Spitalberg, was an independent municipality until 1850 and is now a district of Vienna in the 7th district of Neubau between Burggasse and Siebensterngasse.
Spittelberg is characterised by its many well-preserved Biedermeier houses and narrow alleyways, which give an impression of the original village. The Spittelberg is known far beyond the city's borders, especially for its annual Christmas market. Due to the high density of bars and artisan businesses, it forms a trendy neighbourhood close to the inner city. It is part of the World Heritage Site ‘Historic Centre of Vienna’.
The ‘Haus zum Heiligen Josef’ is home to the restaurant ‘Zu ebener Erde und erster Stock’ and is located on the corner of Burggasse and Gutenberggasse. The name of the restaurant is borrowed from the play of the same name by Johann Nepomuk Nestroy.
The Amerlinghaus, Stiftgasse 8, is where Friedrich Ritter von Amerling was born on 14 April 1803. Alongside Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Amerling was one of the most respected Austrian portrait painters of the 19th century.
In the Amerlinghaus between Stiftgasse 8 and Schrankgasse 1 there is a beautiful inner courtyard with the Amerlingbeisl (inn). A single vine over 100 years old creates this huge canopy.
