5/29/2006: Vienna (2)
Stairway up and down our apartment.
Gradient from our apartment to the main street.
Stadtpark
The monument of Johann Strauss, Jr.(1825-1899) - King of the waltz.
The nearby flower clock.
Superman?.....No! Batman?.....Nooooo! E-raenkman?.....YES!!! 555 (e-raenk = vulture)
At the back drop is Votivkirche (1856-79), the Neo-Gothic church. Kaiser Franz Josef I founded it after surviving an attempt on his life at the site in 1853.
Vienna University, one of the oldest universities in Europe, founded by Duke Rudolf IV in 1365.
Liebenberg monument.
Neues Rathaus or the New Town Hall was built from 1872-83 in Neo-Gothic style.
The Burgtheater is the most prestigious stage in the German-speaking world, built in Italian Renaissance style from 1874-88.
The theater was partly destroyed during WW2, and reopened in 1955 when Austria regained independence.
Dr. Karl Renner (1870-1950) became the first chancellor of the new Austrian republic in 1918-20. As WW II was ending in Apr., 1945,
Renner became premier and minister of foreign affairs in the provisional Austrian government. Then in December 1945
he became the first President of Austria, the Second Republic from 1945-50.
Austrian Parliament.
The immense Parliament building was built from 1874-1884 by Theophil Hansen in Neo-Classical style as a reference to the Grecian invention of democracy.
A monumental statue of Pallas Athene, goddess of wisdom, stands in front of the building.
At long last we reached the vast Hofburg complex. It was the seat of Austrian power for over six centuries. Buildings were added by successive rulers,
with stlyes ranging from Gothic to late 19th-century historicism. Seen here is the Neue Burg (1881-1913), the last building commissioned by the Habsburgers.
In 1938, Adolf Hitler stood on the terrace central bay to proclaim the annexation of Austria. Today the Neue Burg houses the reading room
of the National Library. as well as a number of museums.
The left wing is Leopoldinischertrakt (1660-80), built for Leopold I, connecting the Amalienburg and the Schweizerhof.
It is in this wing that the offices of the Federal President are located.
Burgtor or outer gate (1821-4).
This is the equestrian statue of one of the two most important Austrian field marshals, Archduke Charles of Austria, Erzherzog Karl von Osterreich,
at the Heroes Square. The other is that of Prince Eugene of Savoy infront of the Neue Burg.
This is the Imperial Chancellory Wing (Reichskanzleitrakt, 1723-30) across from the Leopold Wing. After the end of the Holy Roman Empire,
this wing housed the apartments of the Duke of Reichstadt (Napoleon II) and later those of Emperor Francis Joseph I.
Amalienburg seen at far back (with clock tower)
Schweizertor or the Swiss Gate. This 16th-century Renaissance gateway leads to the Schweizerhof, the oldest part of the Hofburg.
At this wing, 3 parts (the Silver Collection, Sisi Museum and the Imperial Apartments) are opened for public viewing at a certain cost (8.90 euros@).
The objects exhibited here were once owned by the imperial families.
An audio phone is provided with the language of your choice so you can better understand the history of each item.
Statue of Empress Elisabeth, built in 1900. Her image is also displayed on Austrian chocolate packagings.
Empress Elisabeth's handwriting.
Napkins folded in Baroque style.
Michaelerkirche, once the court church, the oldest parts are 13th century Romanesque style, but the facade is Classical and built in 1792.
Micaherlerplatz.
Roman remains were recently excavated at Michaelerplatz
Renaissance and 14th-century frescoes, depicting the Falls of the Angels.
In Medieval times, parishioners were frequently burried beneath their church, until Joseph II ended the practice in 1783. Corpses, well-preserved
due to constant temperature and clothed in the finery, can still be seen in open coffins.
Glorious, vividly carved organ from 1714 by Johann David Sieber.
Roof of Stephandom.
At one of Mozart's houses. It's now a museum.
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