VIENNA AUSTRIA
Vienna Austria is one of the great cultural and historic capitals in Europe.
Another day of guided exploration with a history lesson keeping our ears tuned as first we had a bus tour along the Ringstrasse of Vienna, passing many impressive buildings parks and landmarks. Taking photos through a bus window was not optimal so I just used my eyes and ears. It was all overwhelming as different forms of architecture were pointed out and statue after statue of people who have left their mark on this remarkable city. Vienna was the residence of Mozart and Beethoven bringing music to another cultural level.
So after that grand tour we were back on foot, and by now the dark clouds had sent down a light drizzle. Umbrellas up or down? We chose down as it was an umbrella ballet at times with the density of pedestrians. We had to watch closely for our emerald tour flag not to get lost in the crowds.
Maria -Theresien- Platz with the Hofburg palace behind it. The Hofburg is the former principle imperial palace of the Hapsburg dynasty of Austria since 1279. It is one of the biggest palaces in the world with 2600 rooms. Only 25 rooms are accessible to the public.
The Neptune fountain at the Albertina Museum. It depicts Neptune (god of the sea) with his wife Salacia.
The fountain completed in 1565 was commissioned to symbolize the Pope's power and reign as he ruled the land like Neptune ruled the water.
Peterskirche or St Peter's Church is a Baroque Roman Catholic church. 'It is the second oldest church in Vienna and it is believed that a place of worship stood here in the latter half of the 4th century." Frommers
Statue of Holy Roman Emperor France Joseph ruler of Austria and the Habsburg dynasty from 1765 - 1790.
Statue of Atlas holding up the world
Vienna's Plague Column built in 1679 after the city was spared from the black plague. Emperor Leopold I had the 68 foot tower built to mark hope, a sign of his faith in God's help to end the plague.
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Statue of Saint Joseph with his son Jesus. |
The house, Zum Goldenen Becher from 1883 is decorated with facade paintings with allegorical figures, portraits of emperors, and verses on the history of the city.
Cathedral of St. Stephen is known as the finest Gothic church in Austria, founded in the 12th century and topped with a 450 foot high steeple completed in 1433.
Looking up the spire of the Cathedral
Taking a breath of fresh air on seeing this flower stall.
The Giant Ferris Wheel or Wiener Riesenrad is one of Vienna's symbols. It was erected in 1897 to mark the 50th year of Emperor Franz Joseph's accession to the throne. It is 65 meters tall and is the oldest ferris wheel of its type still in existence in the world
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Reflections blend old with the new. |
St Francis of Assisi Church, Vienna 1898
Back on our ship for lunch we learned that Emerald Cruises was giving us an extra excursion in the afternoon to the Kunsthistorisches Museum. This Art History Museum was built in 1891 near the Imperial palace to house the extensive collections of the Imperial Hapsburg family.
I could not begin to take photos of all we saw but this oddity of a table centerpiece will have to suffice. This golden ship would have intermittent cannons go off during a dinner with water spritzes aimed at guests.
I was disappointed not to have seen the great art galleries in Amsterdam, so this exhibition of original art was a a fabulous surprise. The rooms of art went on and on, and so I captured photos of only a few paintings to remember this experience.
Madonna of the Rosary by Caravaggio
Girl in fur by Titan 1536
Madonna del Prato by Raphael, 1506
Gypsy Madonna and child by Titan, 1510
Dutch landscapes
Marie Antionette in court clothing by Marie Elizabeth Lebrun, 1778
Miracles of St.Francis by Peter paul Rubin's, 1617
The Allegory of Painting by Johannes Vermeer, 1666
Self portrait of Rembrandt, 1652
By Dutch maritime painter Ludolf Bakhuizen 1630
This brought back memories of our late, dear friend Karl Gelauf whose paintings were expressions of his Dutch heritage and career in the merchant marine. He would have been so honored that we remembered his art alongside this master artist.
The Assumption of Mary by Paul Rubin's 1700
The most extravagant and ornate museum of art I have ever visited. We were invited to a cafe in the museum for our choice of a decadent dessert and coffee, which was a little rushed for us as there were always sailing deadlines to meet on a cruise. What a gift this all was on that day in Vienna.
From a window in the museum I saw the Empress Maria Theresia monument commemorating her monarchy in Vienna from 1740 - 1780. It is a massive structure at 19 meters tall with the Empress on a throne surrounded by four horsemen statues of her generals.
The last highlight in Vienna was our evening classical concert exclusively for the guests on our Emerald ship. An ornate concert hall with statues and ceiling frescoes made this experience very special.
It was a small chamber orchestra that filled a small concert hall with majestic sounds of music from some of the most well known Renaissance musicians such as Mozart, Beethoven and Strauss.
A fantastic evening to complete a long day in Vienna
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