Vienna, Vienna, AustriaBreakfast at Aida's for their delicious pastries.Talked with two local young women; their favorite ice cream place is Tuchlauben Eis, favorite flavor nougat and wild berry.
Josefsplatz Square: full-sized equestrian monument of Emperor Joseph II in the middle. -Palace Pallavincini's (1784)--impressive sculptures, especially on the roof, and a full-sized equestrian monument of Emperor Joseph II in the middle.
-Three sides of the square are the Hofburg Palace. This is the location of the Ticket Office for the Spanish Riding School (Hofreitschule) Morning Lipizzaner Training Session from 10-12. Yesterday the line was very long so came earlier and just a short line today. The world-famous Lippizzaners have trained here for over 450 years. This is certainly no barn. The indoor arena is surrounded with columns and magnificent baroque architecture. (Unfortunately, no photos) Accompanied by classical Viennese music, the riders exercise the Lipizzaners strengthening muscles and perfecting certain movements; no jumping or complicated footwork. Took bus to ...
Josefsplatz Square: full-sized equestrian monument of Emperor Joseph II in the middle. -Palace Pallavincini's (1784)--impressive sculptures, especially on the roof, and a full-sized equestrian monument of Emperor Joseph II in the middle.
-Three sides of the square are the Hofburg Palace. This is the location of the Ticket Office for the Spanish Riding School (Hofreitschule) Morning Lipizzaner Training Session from 10-12. Yesterday the line was very long so came earlier and just a short line today. The world-famous Lippizzaners have trained here for over 450 years. This is certainly no barn. The indoor arena is surrounded with columns and magnificent baroque architecture. (Unfortunately, no photos) Accompanied by classical Viennese music, the riders exercise the Lipizzaners strengthening muscles and perfecting certain movements; no jumping or complicated footwork. Took bus to ...
Schönbrunn Palace, former summer residence of the Hapsburgs. One of the most important architectural, culural, and historical monumnets in Austria.
-Strudel Show is held in the historic vaults of the Imperial Bakery. Pastry chef demonstrates the secret of making Viennese Apple Strudel. Samples are given to the audience as well as the recipe. Lunch in Residez Cafe--goulash soup, kaiser roll; salad with chicken, roll, coke, rasberry-lemonade ginger drink.
-Grand Tour Imperial Apartments: Tickets purchased at front entrance gate. Excellent audio tour of the magnificent state rooms and private apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and wife Elisabeth; also 18-century interiors from Maria Theresia. Forty rooms and forty fascinating stories spanning three centuries made for an enjoyable, informative hour.
-Panorama Train open-air train through the estate stopping at several places.
-Gloriette. Train was best way to get up to this impressive hilltop building with its columns and arches sitting on the hilltop across the vast gardens from the palace. The long arcaded structure, crowned by an imperial eagle perched on a globe, commemorates the Battle of Kolin of 1757, when Austrian troops defeated the Prussian army of Frederick the Great. -Panorama Terrace Winding stone stairs go up to the roof with an even a better view, not only the gardens and palace but Vienna's landmark buildings.
-Neptune's Fountain is at the base of the hill and is filled with statues based on themes from Greek mythology.
-Privy Garden fills the vast space between the Palace and the Gloriette. Perfect weather walking back through this immaculate landscape to the Palace. There is much more to see here; could spend the entire day.
-Strudel Show is held in the historic vaults of the Imperial Bakery. Pastry chef demonstrates the secret of making Viennese Apple Strudel. Samples are given to the audience as well as the recipe. Lunch in Residez Cafe--goulash soup, kaiser roll; salad with chicken, roll, coke, rasberry-lemonade ginger drink.
-Grand Tour Imperial Apartments: Tickets purchased at front entrance gate. Excellent audio tour of the magnificent state rooms and private apartments of Emperor Franz Joseph and wife Elisabeth; also 18-century interiors from Maria Theresia. Forty rooms and forty fascinating stories spanning three centuries made for an enjoyable, informative hour.
-Panorama Train open-air train through the estate stopping at several places.
-Gloriette. Train was best way to get up to this impressive hilltop building with its columns and arches sitting on the hilltop across the vast gardens from the palace. The long arcaded structure, crowned by an imperial eagle perched on a globe, commemorates the Battle of Kolin of 1757, when Austrian troops defeated the Prussian army of Frederick the Great. -Panorama Terrace Winding stone stairs go up to the roof with an even a better view, not only the gardens and palace but Vienna's landmark buildings.
-Neptune's Fountain is at the base of the hill and is filled with statues based on themes from Greek mythology.
-Privy Garden fills the vast space between the Palace and the Gloriette. Perfect weather walking back through this immaculate landscape to the Palace. There is much more to see here; could spend the entire day.
Belevedere, about half-hour bus ride. The Palace consists of two baroque palaces (Upper and Lower) built in the early 18th century as the summer residence of the General Prince Eugene of Savoy. Scenes from the 1949 movie "Third Man" with Orson Wells were filmed here.
-Upper Belevedere was built for pomp and display; today it's a Museum.
Our self-guided tour began in the very impressive Sala Terrena Hall with statues of Atlas supporting the sumptuous stucco vaulted ceiling, ceremonial staircase with its accompanying stucco relief, and frescoes depicting the triumphs of Alexander the Great. Marble Hall is a grand room with a superb ceiling fresco.
The palace rooms contain several thousand works of art spanning eight centuries with highlights by Schiele, Funke, Monet, van Gogh, and the world's largest collection of Austria's Klimt-highlighting his famous golden paintings "The Kiss" and "Judith." The Museum closed at 6:00 so we only had an hour, which made us rush too much through this magnificent building and museum.
-Terrace facing the gardens--WOW! Huge statues; pool with statues of the Underworld, a cascading waterfall to the gardens below. Fantastic views from the elevated terrace of the park-like gardens, Lower Palace, and Vienna's cityscape as the background.
-Gardens connect the two palaces and stay open late. The walk from the Upper Palace gently slopes across three large terraces with sculpted hedges, graceful fountains, and cherubic statues in the many pools. The most spectacular view of Upper Belevedere is from the Gardens.
-Lower Belevedere, originally the summer residence of Prince Eugene, now contains many temporary art exhibits.
Belevedere was a wonderful place to spend time on this beautiful summer evening! Walked to bus stop passing
Gardekirche Catholic church 1763 with the statue of Pope John Paul the II.
Schwarzenbergplatz--large Hochstrahlbrunnen Fountain is the prominent feature in front of the Soviet memorial "Heldendenkmal der Roten Armee," built to celebrate the construction of the first water pipeline from the Styrian Alps to Vienna in 1873.
Dinner at Bier & Bierli--viner schnitzel; grost (panfried potaoes with beef, pork, bacon, fried egg on top).
-Upper Belevedere was built for pomp and display; today it's a Museum.
Our self-guided tour began in the very impressive Sala Terrena Hall with statues of Atlas supporting the sumptuous stucco vaulted ceiling, ceremonial staircase with its accompanying stucco relief, and frescoes depicting the triumphs of Alexander the Great. Marble Hall is a grand room with a superb ceiling fresco.
The palace rooms contain several thousand works of art spanning eight centuries with highlights by Schiele, Funke, Monet, van Gogh, and the world's largest collection of Austria's Klimt-highlighting his famous golden paintings "The Kiss" and "Judith." The Museum closed at 6:00 so we only had an hour, which made us rush too much through this magnificent building and museum.
-Terrace facing the gardens--WOW! Huge statues; pool with statues of the Underworld, a cascading waterfall to the gardens below. Fantastic views from the elevated terrace of the park-like gardens, Lower Palace, and Vienna's cityscape as the background.
-Gardens connect the two palaces and stay open late. The walk from the Upper Palace gently slopes across three large terraces with sculpted hedges, graceful fountains, and cherubic statues in the many pools. The most spectacular view of Upper Belevedere is from the Gardens.
-Lower Belevedere, originally the summer residence of Prince Eugene, now contains many temporary art exhibits.
Belevedere was a wonderful place to spend time on this beautiful summer evening! Walked to bus stop passing
Gardekirche Catholic church 1763 with the statue of Pope John Paul the II.
Schwarzenbergplatz--large Hochstrahlbrunnen Fountain is the prominent feature in front of the Soviet memorial "Heldendenkmal der Roten Armee," built to celebrate the construction of the first water pipeline from the Styrian Alps to Vienna in 1873.
Dinner at Bier & Bierli--viner schnitzel; grost (panfried potaoes with beef, pork, bacon, fried egg on top).
2025-05-22