Welcome to Austria and Vienna, its Capital City. With a population of about 1.6 million it is the 7th largest city in Europe. It traces its’ history back to the Stone Age so it is one of the oldest.
This Ferris Wheel or Riesenrad in German (yes, they speak German in Austria) is over 100 years old. Note that the cars are enclosed. No “Wind in Your Hair” experience.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is 352 feet long and 112 feet wide. It has four towers. The tallest of these is the south tower at 448 feet. The tower room, from which there is a gigantic view across Vienna, is reached via 343 steps. A total of 13 bells hang here. However, the best-known bell of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Pummerin, is located in the 224 foot-tall north tower. It is the second-biggest free-swinging chimed church bell in Europe. On the roof of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, 250,000 colorful roof tiles were laid to create the Royal and Imperial double-headed eagle and the coat of arms of the city of Vienna. The interior of St. Stephen’s Cathedral was changed again and again over the centuries, right through to the Baroque period.
Karlskirche (St. Charles Church) is a baroque church located on the south side of Karlsplatz in Vienna, Austria. Widely considered the most outstanding baroque church in Vienna, as well as one of the city’s greatest buildings
The domed Michaelertrakt is one of the most ornate wings of the imperial palace.
Walking through Vienna, there were statues, sculptures and carvings everywhere. This website is an excellent place to go if you wish to know what a specific one is: http://www.aviewoncities.com/gallery/vienna.htm?page=1
City Hall or the RatHaus
The Spanish Riding School in Vienna is the only institution in the world which has practiced for nearly 450 years and continues to cultivate classical equitation in the Renaissance tradition of the haute école.
The objective of classical equitation is to study the way the horse naturally moves and to cultivate the highest levels of haute école elegance the horse is capable of through systematic training. The result creates an unparalleled harmony between rider and horse, as only Vienna’s Spanish Riding School achieves.
No, I have no idea what the above means but it sure sounds impressive. We walked by the stables but were not able to actually see the horses in training.
Horse drawn Fiaker
The Pestsäule, or Plague column, is one of the most notable and prominent sculptures in the city of Vienna.
In the late 17th century, the plague arrived in Vienna, and killed over 100,000 of its residents. Vienna was particularly bad hit because the city was overcrowded and there was no drainage system in the city.
After the plague had passed, the Emperor at time commissioned the Pestsäule as a memorial to those who died. The statue stands 66 feet high and is the highlight of Graben Square, which is located on one of the busiest pedestrian streets in Vienna.
Well, at least now we know where they come from. Austrians always tell the truth!
The NEW and the OLD. Vienna is a contrast of architecture.
St. Francis of Assisi Church also known as the Kaiser Jubilee Churchand the Mexico Church is a BasilicastyleCatholic church.Built between 1898 and 1910, It was consecrated in 1913.It is located on the Mexikoplatz in Vienna’s Second District, Leopoldstadt and is administered by the Order of the Holy Trinity .St. Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals. His statues are usually surrounded by them.
“To the Age its Art – to Art, its Freedom.” This is inscribed above the portal of the Secession, one of the most famous art nouveau buildings dating from around 1900. Inspired by this motto, eminent painters, architects and designers created fascinating art which is admired all over the world to this day
One of the more “interesting” sculptures. Note the head at the bottom right.
Well, at least they are not elephants!
Oh Oh, someone’s’ bank account is taking a hit! The best way to obtain local currency is to use ATM’s that are partnered with your US bank. Best exchange rate.
Pink and Green Rabbits?
Maybe this is not such a bad idea!