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Vienna, the stunning capital of Austria - aspArchi's euroTour'11
After Prague, we took the five hour train ride to the grand capital of Austria, Vienna, or Wien as its called in German. Vienna was my favorite of all the cities we visited in our two week stint around Europe. It was the most over-the-top place i'd ever seen, with just one extravagant old building after the next. There was tons of stuff to see and do, far too much than we had time for in the mere two days we were there. Vienna is definitely a city I would like to return to.
One final note, I just got a Macbook Pro and so I've been able to have some fun editing my pictures. So this thread will be slightly different from my others! 1 We'll start off at a place not very well known by tourists - a very large "market" just outside of downtown - where everything and anything is sold. From scented candles to fudge and fast food to elegant sit down restaurants, this place had it all. It was pretty awesome! Also, as this was the very first place we visited, it also gives you a good idea of the elegance that awaits just a short 5 minute walk to the other side of the ring road surrounding downtown... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/...ca4d998f_b.jpg 2 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/...1bce21bc_b.jpg 3 It was a busy place! http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6001/...e4e82654_b.jpg 4 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/...f51b3477_b.jpg 5 On the "other" side of the ring road, in downtown http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/...61155df9_b.jpg 6 In this city known around the world for its classical music, a nice opera house is a necessity. We'll see more of it later... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/...2ed20e7d_b.jpg 7 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/...564604ae_b.jpg 8 I don't know what this was, but it had a cool rooftop restaurant or something. (Hence that large grey thing jutting to from the top) http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6141/...5cbcc4b8_b.jpg 9 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/...67cd030c_b.jpg 10 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/...93c040fe_b.jpg 11 Just one of many quaint little side streets running through downtown. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/...40282512_b.jpg 12 The Austrian National Library in the middle... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6126/...143ef82d_b.jpg 13 The Prunksaal, or "Splendid Hall" of the library. Photos don't do this place justice. It was incredible. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6005/...1e55924f_b.jpg 14 These murals are awesome http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/...7bf8172a_b.jpg 15 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/...4ba85a0c_b.jpg 16 And to think, it only took TWO years to complete! http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/...e6e10e0e_b.jpg 17 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/...3be2cf4a_b.jpg 18 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/...8a8aa8ba_b.jpg 19 Walking through the massive government complex. (This is only a small part) http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/...934a569b_b.jpg 20 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/...7215fa8c_b.jpg 21 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/...d6d885a5_b.jpg 22 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6018/...2669d64f_b.jpg 23 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/...a07c3f12_b.jpg 24 On our way to the Rathaus (city hall). http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6006/...7c6c54cf_b.jpg 25 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/...26747253_b.jpg 26 This is the main national library, where people can actually go to read and check out books. The Prunksaal is basically just for show nowadays. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/...2bc05d57_b.jpg 27 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/...e6aa5be3_b.jpg 28 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/...b05c0008_b.jpg 29 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/...daf54fd0_b.jpg 30 I'm pretty sure this is the Austrian Parliament, with the spire of the Rathaus behind it. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/...33313fc8_b.jpg 31 Next to the Parliament building: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/...af44e136_b.jpg 32 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/...4d9d4256_b.jpg 33 Inside the Volksgarten, or People's Garden, just behind where I was standing to take that last picture: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/...40728aa4_b.jpg 34 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/...a1eee541_b.jpg 35 Getting closer! http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6008/...929c086f_b.jpg 36 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6017/...f5d55ec8_b.jpg 37 The only two buildings I saw in the city that were built in this style, and they are right next to each other http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/...9dae8601_b.jpg 38 That is a big museum in the background http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/...82632bc5_b.jpg 39 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/...3a4f0ed3_b.jpg 40 If I were a millionaire, I would for sure live in one of these... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6002/...85496045_b.jpg 41 ...or these http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/...376ae700_b.jpg 42 Here we are, the Rathaus! http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/...24f964ea_b.jpg 43 They were setting up for a big film fest set to start the next day. For any big film fest, you need a big tv: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/...fe15bb0e_b.jpg 44 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/...5fe33078_b.jpg 45 This city was built to impress http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/...b69ccc78_b.jpg 46 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/...d358592a_b.jpg 47 Fancy condos / apartments around the Rathaus http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/...1cf8ed60_b.jpg 48 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/...ae0d2d29_b.jpg 49 Another theater, facing the Rathaus http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/...746fd9f2_b.jpg 50 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/...92760ca1_b.jpg 51 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/...815a359f_b.jpg 52 Um, I actually don't know what this building is. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6138/...1e3af177_b.jpg 53 A large upscale shopping street, right next to... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6021/...d84e145b_b.jpg 54 ...the Opera House (again)! We took a 40 minute tour of the building the next day. We were impressed... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/...13d63eeb_b.jpg 56 Little did I know, but Vienna was actually bombed during the war. One would never know from walking around the civic center, but the city was actually (according to Wikipedia) bombed a total of 52 times during the war resulting in 20% of the inner city being destroyed. The Opera House was partially destroyed and was later rebuilt in a simpler style. This is the original grand staircase, which was fortunately spared by the bombs: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6144/...66a161f9_b.jpg 57 This is one of several intermission rooms. This one was not destroyed... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6131/...3d396ce3_b.jpg 58 ... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6132/...e0a9334f_b.jpg 59 ...while this one was, apparently. It was rebuilt in a modern style in the '50s. It is still pretty nice though, I think. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/...6fd7e51b_b.jpg 60 This was the emperor's own *private* intermission room. Today it can be rented out for some really high price. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6125/...e49dea05_b.jpg 61 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6128/...4b6c70a9_b.jpg 62 The seating area / stage was destroyed and was rebuilt in a simpler style. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/...c4ab78af_b.jpg 63 We left the opera house and went to our hotel for a little bit, which was outside of downtown on the other side of the ring road. An area less glamorous but still very nice: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6028/...fab6babe_b.jpg 64 This was the street our hotel was on. This is what the average street looked like in the area: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/...5dc3b35b_b.jpg 65 The view from our room: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/...3bd59c6f_b.jpg 66 After a short pitstop at the hotel, we head back downtown... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6133/...1806ed10_b.jpg 67 We go out of our way i little to see the Church of St Charles... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6143/...41a14b06_b.jpg 68 ... thar 'tis: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6130/...906070b9_b.jpg 69 It was completed in 1737 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/...21952dac_b.jpg 70 The hectic streets of downtown Vienna on a warm summer Saturday afternoon: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/...8ed3575f_b.jpg 71 some magicians http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/...958823e9_b.jpg 72 St. Stephen's Cathedral, the most visible landmark downtown. Unfortunately, we couldn't go inside. It was also impossible to get a picture of the whole thing especially with all the people around. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/...8df81241_b.jpg 73 That's part of the church on the left: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/...43351a3a_b.jpg 74 An interesting tidbit of history, from [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Stephen's_Cathedral,_Vienna"]Wikipedia[/URL (because i'm too lazy to sum it up myself)]: During World War II, St. Stephen's Cathedral was saved from intentional destruction at the hands of retreating German forces when Captain Gerhard Klinkicht disregarded orders from the city commandant, Sepp Dietrich, to "fire a hundred shells and leave it in just debris and ashes." On 12 April 1945, however, fires from nearby shops—started by civilian plunderers as Russian troops entered the city—were carried to the cathedral by wind, severely damaging the roof and causing it to collapse. Fortunately, protective brick shells built around the pulpit, Frederick III's tomb, and other treasures, minimized damage to the most valuable artworks. The beautifully carved 1487 Rollinger choir stalls, however, could not be saved. Rebuilding began immediately, with a limited reopening on 12 December 1948 and a full reopening on 23 April 1952. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6014/...f3ffeae9_b.jpg 75 Around the church: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6137/...2b3c3878_b.jpg 76 Just walking around http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/...632f7fb7_b.jpg 77 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/...4bdc682c_b.jpg 78 enjoying the solitude away from the masses http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/...53deb70a_b.jpg 79 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6149/...e095e015_b.jpg 80 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/...8829d5f9_b.jpg 81 An exceptional name for a coffee shop: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/...893b7b7c_b.jpg 82 Area around the Stadtpark (city park): http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6012/...d1a75a31_b.jpg 83 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/...69279a24_b.jpg 84 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6024/...1b9967a8_b.jpg 85 I don't know what this building is http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/...f755ab23_b.jpg 86 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/...6e56a0c1_b.jpg 87 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6030/...f31385f4_b.jpg 88 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/...a1f8c712_b.jpg 89 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/...fd5f0904_b.jpg 90 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6013/...05959b86_b.jpg 91 Back into the masses: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6007/...a51e0a5f_b.jpg 92 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6011/...c3ea9dd1_b.jpg 93 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/...8ceaf284_b.jpg 94 St. Peter's Church http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/...25ca3656_b.jpg 95 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6026/...1642356e_b.jpg 96 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6150/...69c8ea6b_b.jpg 97 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/...a6f80447_b.jpg 98 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/...c9c7b600_b.jpg 99 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6122/...a99262d5_b.jpg 100 Going back to our hotel again, a small art museum: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6146/...94fc1936_b.jpg 101 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6004/...1d6a6af8_b.jpg 102 More views from our room: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/...82ff2b0a_b.jpg 103 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6134/...fb65722d_b.jpg 104 To finish off, we'll take a 15 minute ride on the U-Bahn to Schoenbrunn, the beautiful imperial palace / gardens: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6015/...d64ba288_b.jpg 105 The palace is about a 5 minute walk from the U-Bahn station. This is the backside of it: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6027/...ac649a3b_b.jpg 106 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/...a67fc6c5_b.jpg 107 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6003/...de45dbb4_b.jpg 108 On our way up the hill... http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6023/...58e67ea3_b.jpg 109 ...we see this fountain with, what is that in the corner? A duck ramp! I thought that was cute. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6148/...73ed7535_b.jpg 110 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6016/...1f797223_b.jpg 111 About halfway up the hill: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6020/...78b9efd0_b.jpg 112 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/...2c41bb4a_b.jpg 113 Here we are! http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6129/...ce8503aa_b.jpg 114 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6140/...71a897bb_b.jpg 115 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6009/...36fb322b_b.jpg 116 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6147/...d69f66e8_b.jpg 117 Back in the palace gardens, GIANT hedges: http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6022/...453e0e35_b.jpg 118 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6029/...65c46a97_b.jpg 119 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6135/...cfe6332a_b.jpg 120 http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6136/...043070a1_b.jpg 121 That's Vienna. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6123/...7422798f_b.jpg Next up - Salzburg! Hamburg, Part 1 Hamburg, Part 2 Lübeck Berlin Dresden Prague |
Most definitely an incredibly beautiful city! :tup:
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Wow stunning!! Thanks for sharing with us!!!
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A beautiful city and it appears to be very liveable, but it seemed to me as a tourist that the locals bent over backwards to be as unhelpful and unfriendly as possible which wasn't my experience in any German cities.
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Those Hapsburgs knew how to build 'em.
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Great photos, Vienna has such elegant architecture!
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Quote:
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What a grand, opulent city! We sure don't build 'em like that anymore. I love all of the excessively-detailed buildings, along with their historical profiles. Thanks!
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Thanks for the comments, guys!
Jimby, I have to agree with mr1138 - Aside from some hobo at the market, I can't really think of any instances in which someone was especially rude or bothersome to us. Everyone seemed very nice and helpful. But then again we didn't talk with too many people while we were there, as we were only there for a couple of days. I will agree with you about the Germans, though - they seemed especially nice and helpful! |
Stunning is the correct description!
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'This city was built to impress." Ummmm yeah...you're not kidding! Paris, eat your heart out!
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This is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, which makes sence since the Hapsburg Empire was one of the wealthiest and this was its jewel.
I read a book about the Congress of Vienna, and the delegates from Europe's capitals were all struck by its grandeur. PS: You have a great eye for MILFS. She's delicious. I like the photo of her bending over. http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6142/...1bce21bc_b.jpg |
^^^
Haha, hmm well thats not exactly what I was aiming for with that pic but thanks, I guess? |
Awesome!!!
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the only problem i have after taking in such an enjoyable thread is WHOSE WALTZ TO LISTEN TO.
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beautiful city.
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Vienna is so grand and gorgeous it's almost comical. Thanks for sharing!
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I did Vienna a second time, properly last year. I was blown away this time by street after street after street of huge ornate buildings in a wall, every one like a unique, glittering palace festooned in statuary. It's true what Bill Bryson said about the place, aliens would think it the capital of the world. It's just jawdropping, even coming from London.
And don't take the Viennese attitude personally, who are renowned for being super grumpy (their motto is 'everything's sh!t') to everyone, ever, despite living in the world's most livable city, bless em. |
it makes me want to eat crumbly cake and sip coffee on a snow day but these jason bourne-y street-disruptions keep going through my head when i see vienna.
but yes, it's an absolute stunner. may be my favorite european city from just the built form/aesthetic perspective. |
Who can cook an apple strudel properly on here!? Warning you, the dough is tricky to prepare.
That's our twin. It needs to be added to Rome and Paris to the mankind legend. ;) |
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