Vienna, Vienna, AustriaWith maps and sightseeing list, we're ready to walk and enjoy the beautiful architecture as we head toward Michaelerplatz. The hotel is right across the street from Burggarten (court garden) and Albertina Museum (part of the Hofburg Palace Complex). What a great place to start walking the city each day!
Albertinaplatz: Outside of the Albertina Museum is Albrecht's Fountain. Impressive buildings on this square:
-Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta building 1911 has Tourist Information
-Alfred Hrdlicka statue, a memorial monument against war and fascism.
-Riunione Adriatica di Sicurta building 1911 has Tourist Information
-Alfred Hrdlicka statue, a memorial monument against war and fascism.
Michaelerplatz: -Hofburg Palace Complex. (toured here in the afternoon)
-Excavation of interesting Roman Ruins.
-St. Michael's Church, the oldest church in Vienna, 1220-1240.
Café Dumel a famous pastry shop established in 1786. Hard to choose from the tempting selection of pastries and cakes. Vienna is known for its coffeehouse culture going back over three centuries. Not very busy so the waitress chatted with us and encouraged seeing the beautifully decorated upstairs. Thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance and food--latte, coffee, chocolate tart, and sour cream strudel with berries.
Aida is a confectionery chain, and there are lots of them throughout the city. Their window displays are impossible to ignore.
Opera House (Staatsoper)--A grand building with its arched walkways. Fountain is Lorelei, the legendary Siren, with statues representing "sorrow, love, revenge"
Walked back towards St. Stephens then to Frankenplatz
Hoher Markt Square, the oldest square of Vienna with the Marriage Fountain (Vermahlungsbrunnen) and the Anchor Clock. The clock forms a bridge between two parts of the Anker Insurance Company's building and is adorned with mosaic ornaments. Every day at noon, twelve historical figures move across the bridge accompanied by music from the various eras. Even though it was raining, there was quite a crowd to watch "Viennese High Noon."
Wanted to get lunch at Kleins Cafe. Walked back to Michaelerplatz then along Singerstraße to FranziskanerPlatz, one of the loveliest places in Vienna with its 17th century Franciscan Church (also known as church of St. Jerome). Kleins was full and had a long wait. Ended up at Firenze, an Italian café on Singerstraße; mushroom risoto was pretty good.
St Stephens (Stephansdom), a 12th century large Gothic style cathedral adorned with intricately detailed statues and towers reaching for the sky. Incredible sight! Decorative colored tile roof topped with an imperial double-headed eagle. Even more unbelievable inside: painted and gold-leafed walls, ornate columns, 18 alters, stone and iron balconies. Wiener Neustadt altarpiece is one of the greatest treasures.
-St. Michael's Church, the oldest church in Vienna, 1220-1240.
Café Dumel a famous pastry shop established in 1786. Hard to choose from the tempting selection of pastries and cakes. Vienna is known for its coffeehouse culture going back over three centuries. Not very busy so the waitress chatted with us and encouraged seeing the beautifully decorated upstairs. Thoroughly enjoyed the ambiance and food--latte, coffee, chocolate tart, and sour cream strudel with berries.
Aida is a confectionery chain, and there are lots of them throughout the city. Their window displays are impossible to ignore.
Opera House (Staatsoper)--A grand building with its arched walkways. Fountain is Lorelei, the legendary Siren, with statues representing "sorrow, love, revenge"
Walked back towards St. Stephens then to Frankenplatz
Hoher Markt Square, the oldest square of Vienna with the Marriage Fountain (Vermahlungsbrunnen) and the Anchor Clock. The clock forms a bridge between two parts of the Anker Insurance Company's building and is adorned with mosaic ornaments. Every day at noon, twelve historical figures move across the bridge accompanied by music from the various eras. Even though it was raining, there was quite a crowd to watch "Viennese High Noon."
Wanted to get lunch at Kleins Cafe. Walked back to Michaelerplatz then along Singerstraße to FranziskanerPlatz, one of the loveliest places in Vienna with its 17th century Franciscan Church (also known as church of St. Jerome). Kleins was full and had a long wait. Ended up at Firenze, an Italian café on Singerstraße; mushroom risoto was pretty good.
St Stephens (Stephansdom), a 12th century large Gothic style cathedral adorned with intricately detailed statues and towers reaching for the sky. Incredible sight! Decorative colored tile roof topped with an imperial double-headed eagle. Even more unbelievable inside: painted and gold-leafed walls, ornate columns, 18 alters, stone and iron balconies. Wiener Neustadt altarpiece is one of the greatest treasures.
Treasury of the Cathedral (Domschatz) was well worth it. A bit tricky finding the tiny, rather inconspicuous cubicle that is the elevator. Wow, what a wonderful view below of the main alter and sarcophagus of Frederick III. Narrow circular stairways leading to the different rooms. Impressive and interesting collection of relics: three thorns from the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus Christ on the cross, a fragment of the tablecloth from the Last Supper, and the body of St Valentine to name a few.
Aida's for gelato. The waitresses looked like the bobby-socks days of the 50's.
KärntnerStraße, the most famous shopping street in Vienna, is always lively and full of people. Burggarten Park with the Mozart statue.
Even though it's been drizzling all day, the temperature is comfortable, and it's always delightful walking down the beautiful tree-lined, pedestrian Vienna streets. Headed back to the hotel for a short rest.
Aida's for gelato. The waitresses looked like the bobby-socks days of the 50's.
KärntnerStraße, the most famous shopping street in Vienna, is always lively and full of people. Burggarten Park with the Mozart statue.
Even though it's been drizzling all day, the temperature is comfortable, and it's always delightful walking down the beautiful tree-lined, pedestrian Vienna streets. Headed back to the hotel for a short rest.
Hofburg Imperial Palace built in the 13th century was the principal imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty rulers. Today it is the official residence and workplace of Austria's President of Austria. It faces the Heroes Square (Heldenplatz) in the center of Vienna.
Decorated with various Hercules statues are the Spanish Riding School and the Museum. The entrance on Michaelerplatz is directly below the great copper dome called the Michaelerkuppel, which separates the two buildings.
Decorated with various Hercules statues are the Spanish Riding School and the Museum. The entrance on Michaelerplatz is directly below the great copper dome called the Michaelerkuppel, which separates the two buildings.
Toured the three museums: -Imperial Silver Collection--glittering dining ware, centerpieces, table settings, etc. used for the lavish imperial banquets.
-Imperial Apartments--24 rooms give insight into the lavish world of Austria's most illustrious imperial couple, Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth.
-Sisi Museum explains the complex life of Empress Elisabeth, the myth and the reality. The audio tour was a great history lesson as well as seeing the opulence in which the rulers lived.
-Imperial Apartments--24 rooms give insight into the lavish world of Austria's most illustrious imperial couple, Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth.
-Sisi Museum explains the complex life of Empress Elisabeth, the myth and the reality. The audio tour was a great history lesson as well as seeing the opulence in which the rulers lived.
Volksgartens was created as a memorial for Elizabeth. Spent an hour admiring the many blooming flowers, fountains, and buildings.
Maria-Theresien-Platz - Large square between two gigantic, identical buildings (formerly Hapsburg Imperial Stables), now museums--Kunsthistorisches (Art History) and Naturhistorisches (Natural History). Huge memorial in the center for Empress Maria Theresa, the only female ruler of the Hapsburg Empire from 1740-80 (among them the infamous Marie Antoinette). She reformed the school system, took care of the state affairs as well as her 16 children.
Der Babenberger pizza restaurant had nice street-side tables. The owner chatted with us since we were the only people there. Food was ok, not great.
Schillerpark, next to the hotel, is a monument to Friedrich Schiller 1759, German poet and playwrite (wrote "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth). How weird was it to discover there is a statue of him in Belle Isle, Detroit.
Der Babenberger pizza restaurant had nice street-side tables. The owner chatted with us since we were the only people there. Food was ok, not great.
Schillerpark, next to the hotel, is a monument to Friedrich Schiller 1759, German poet and playwrite (wrote "Ode to Joy" from Beethoven's Ninth). How weird was it to discover there is a statue of him in Belle Isle, Detroit.
Sure packed in the sightseeing today. It's only 9:00 and we're ready for sleep.
2025-05-22