Emperor Joseph II made the former Habsburg hunting grounds available to the public in 1766, which gave rise to the park. It currently covers an area of about 1700 hectares. The Prater is home to a sports stadium and a funfair, which is Europe’s largest amusement park. Near the entrance to the park is a large-scale carousel in the form of a Ferris wheel. It is one of the oldest devices of its kind-erected in 1897.
