Now in Vienna but if you're not reading this until we get to Budapest, it is because the wifi in the Vienna hotel is pretty poor.
But before we got to Vienna, en route fro Prague, we stopped for a lunch break in Bratislava
.
Tuesday in Vienna started with the included guided tour. We went to the Kunsthistorisches Museum, getting in early, before the official opening time, and had a conducted tour. A good museum, a pity from my point of view that the guide showed us so many tapestries as I am not interested in such things; but we also saw a lot of gold and silver, a Saliera (google it!) in gold, and a gold automaton ship, both extremely impressive and beautiful. We also heard the story of how the Saliera was stolen a few years ago during renovations. (You don't want to know the details!)
Then we had a walking tour with the local guide, Peter. After that I went to the monastery crypt (Kaisergruft) where a great many Habsburgs are buried (I think I must have been there last time, 1998, as it seemed very familiar) and then on to St. Stephan's Cathedral.
S. Stephan's was severely damaged in WWII, the roof and interior were demolished, all that was left standing were the outer walls and the spire. But I think the pillars inside must have been OK also, as apparently they rebuilt it by the 1950s, and there is no way they managed the pillars as well as the rest in that short time. They rebuilt it as closely as possible to the original.
Next I walked up to the Stadtpark (City Park) which I remembered from last time; it hasn’t actually changed much, still very little water in the little river Wien. Then I walked along from the hotel to the Belvedere, as it wasn’t far, at least along the street
. No-one mentioned that once you got to the entrance gate, it was at least as far again, if not more, to the palace gallery where the Klimts are. I walked up there (I stress the "up") but decided not to go in as I really am not interested in Klimt. But the gardens are beautiful and well worth seeing. Then walked back down (!) and went into the old stables where they have all the mediaeval works, which are impressive.
Wednesday, there was a scheduled optional extra tour, to the Vienna Woods, but this was cancelled as too many people dropped out. This was a pity in one way as I haven’t been there, but on the other hand it left more time to return to the city and see more.
Went first to St. Peter’s church which is quite spectacular, then to the Hofburg, to the Historic Musical Instruments Museum. They had some very interesting items, including a piano with a pedal keyboard like an organ, thus effectively doubling the octave range. I wouldn’t mind the piano stool either, though it is probably very uncomfortable
. I also saw an ocarina, and an experimental 6-string cello that never “took off”. Also several versions of a "faggott" which look to me like early contra-bassoons.
Then to St. Michael’s church. The nave and ceiling of this church are relatively unadorned, but the chancel and high altar are something else – see the pictures, I can’t describe it.
Later on, I went out to St. Charles Borromeo church – very spectacular, though as far as I am concerned, these incredibly baroque churches are OTT. Having said that, for the entry price you could go up into the cupola in a lift, which I did. From there you could go further by stairs but I declined that bit! The lift and stairs looked to be there because cleaning etc. was going on right in the cupola, on the paintings there, but since nothing was written in English, I don’t know what was going on.
Had dinner at a local restaurant, roasted fish (the menu called it pikeperch which seems to me to be a contradiction in terms!) and a glass of wine as they had NO gin. (Note to Roger!) I suspect gin is not a common drink for Austrians.
In the footsteps of the masters
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Other Entries
-
1Coventry's two cathedrals
May 2926 days priorCoventry, United Kingdomphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 6 -
2Playing tourist
May 3025 days priorLondon, United Kingdomphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 4 -
3A whistle-stop day tour to Paris
Jun 0222 days priorParis, Francephoto_camera4videocam 0comment 4 -
4Following in the footsteps of Henry VIII
Jun 0420 days priorLondon, United Kingdomphoto_camera4videocam 0comment 4 -
5The Imitation Game
Jun 0618 days priorBletchley Park, United Kingdomphoto_camera3videocam 0comment 3 -
6Walking round London
Jun 0915 days priorLondon, United Kingdomphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
7More stately homes
Jun 1113 days priorLondon, United Kingdomphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 1 -
8Following in the footsteps of King Raedwald
Jun 159 days priorIpswich, United Kingdomphoto_camera6videocam 0comment 2 -
9A flying display - birds, not aeroplanes!
Jun 177 days priorStonham Aspal, United Kingdomphoto_camera7videocam 0comment 4 -
10After communism
Jun 213 days priorPrague, Czech Republicphoto_camera21videocam 0comment 5 -
11In the footsteps of the masters
Jun 24Vienna, Austriaphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 2 -
12Recovering from Stalin
Jun 273 days laterBudapest, Hungaryphoto_camera12videocam 0comment 2 -
13Revisiting the Channel Islands - Guernsey
Jun 295 days laterSt. Peter Port, Internationalphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 5 -
14From the "big" Island - Jersey
Jul 0410 days laterSt. Helier, United Kingdomphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 1 -
15A VERY big boat
Jul 2531 days laterBruges, Belgiumphoto_camera34videocam 0comment 7 -
16More big boats - old ones this time
Jul 3036 days laterPortsmouth, United Kingdomphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 4
Comments

2025-05-23
Comment code: Ask author if the code is blank
Valerie
2015-06-27
Obviously a great time in Vienna ,I feel a bit exhausted with all the walkig. rInteresting to hear your commennts on the Churches and art work.
Where to from there!!!
Happy travelling
diannevdp
2015-06-29
Love the photos, Liz, especially the saliera!