Ahh…VIENNA. The city that wears its Holy Roman & Austrian Imperial heart on its sleeve…its breast…all over its body, frankly! Never mind its imperial past…its cultural and musical legacy also seeps from every cobblestone & every piece of brickwork. THIS is the city that filled me with the most awe…and the most breathtaking comfort…on this entire European odyssey.
I’ve had to cut down my choices for this final picture post considerably…therefore, after some consideration, here are your edited highlights…
(1) STEPHANSDOM
We arrived in Vienna during the funeral of the last of the Hapsburg dynasty…and this mighty cathedral, sitting in the heart of Vienna at Stephansplatz, was completely worthy of such imperial pageantry…
(2) HOFFBURG
The main city-side urban palace of the Hapsburg rulers. Front and back entrances, as well as a bit of the very lovely urban parkland in between…
(3) SCHONBORN
The summer palace, and Vienna’s answer to Versailles. It’s not quite at the same level…but it’s very beautiful all the same.
(4) MOZART HOUSE
The only surviving Vienna residence of the famous composer…
(5) ALONG THE RINGSTRASSE
The Ringstrasse is the wide boulevard that runs in a circle around Vienna’s old town, following the route of the medieval city walls, torn down in the 19th century. Here is a selection of various beautiful sights along this grand route…
- Natural History Museum
- Austrian Parliament Building
- Vienna Opera House
- Vienna City Hall
- Votive Church
- Former Imperial Army Barracks
- Remains of the Ancient City Walls
- Monument to Russian Soldiers
- Jesuit Church
(6) VIENNA ARCHITECTURE
A final selection of various gorgeous tidbits around the capital’s streets, such as Kartnerstrasse & Graben. Sights include a gorgeous 19th century Greek Church in the Flomarkt, and an unusual & ominous singing art sculpture, sitting in front of the monument to Russian soldiers in Schwarzenburgplatz.
