Top 10 of Vienna!

1. Stephansdom


This cathedral was built in the 12th century and is the most famous church in Vienna.  It is the mother church of the Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, OP. Its current Romanesque and Gothic form seen today, situated at the heart of Vienna, Austria in the Stephansplatz, was largely initiated by Rudolf IV and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches, the first being a parish church consecrated in 1147. As the most important religious building in Austria's capital, the cathedral has survived many important events in that nation's history and has, with its multi-colored tile roof, become one of the city's most recognizable symbols.

2. The Hofburg Palace

 The Hofburg Palace was built as a winter residence for the Hapsburg royalty, rulers of the Austro-Hungarian empire.  It now serves as the residence of the Austrian President.  I went to the Silver Treasury, the historic residential apartments, and the Sisi Museum.  Unfortunately, you were not allowed to take pictures in any of these places.  The silver treasury houses all the table settings from centuries of royals.  Kinda boring after the third set, but still impressive to see so many shiny things in one place.  The residential apartments and the Sisi museum were much more interesting to me.

Sisi is the nickname of the Empress Elizabeth who married the Austrian Kaiser Franz Ferdinand at the age of 16.  She has been popularized in myth and culture through films, stage plays, and novels.  I own the movie series and it is one of my favorite films, but going to the museum and learning the truth about Sisi was a little disappointing for me.  In the film, it's a Cinderella story: Sisi's sister Nene is to be engaged to the Kaiser of Austria and Sisi is to accompany her mother and Sister to Vienna.  INSTEAD, Franz meets Sisi first and falls in love with this carefree, outdoorsy girl from Bavaria.  The movie ends with their joyous wedding.  Come to find out, Sisi was originally happy with her marriage, but that's where the happy story ends.  Elizabeth came to court, and hated everything about it.  She had four children, the first of whom died at the age of 2 and her only son committed suicide when he was 30 years old.  She never attended family dinners or court ceremonies, instead she traveled constantly.  When traveling in Geneva, she was murdered by an Italian anarchist.  My fairy-tale world wept, lol.

3. Schönbrunn Palace/Schönbrunn Maze

 Schönbrunn palace is the summer residence of the Hapsburg Dynasty.  History lesson - Maria Theresa of Austria was responsible for decorating and creating most of the rooms in the palace.  She had 11 children, one of which was Marie Antoinette.  The Empress Elizabeth also lived here later on.  We were able to tour the royal apartments as well as the gardens and the hedge maze.

4. Authentic Schnitzel

Whenever you hear the term Wiener Schnitzel, most people don't know that the first word means Viennese.  Ginny, Aubrey, and I went to eat at one of the oldest and most famous schnitzel restaurants in Vienna.

  5. Vienna Rathaus

The office of the mayor and the city council was built in the late 1800's.  The Rathaus was designed by Friedrich von Schmidt in the Gothic style, and built between 1872 and 1883. On the top of the tower is the Rathausmann, one of the symbols of Vienna. Facing the Rathaus is a large park, the Rathauspark.












6. Viennese Hot Chocolate

absolutely delicious!

7. State Hall of the Austrian National Library 

 















This is one of the most beautiful places in Vienna and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.  There are Italian frescoes on the ceiling and over 200,000 volumes, the newest of which date back to the 1700's.  There were also facsimiles in cases that were absolutely beautiful.  It reminded me of the movie beauty and the beast when he gives Belle the library for her own.

8. Musicians and their Monuments

Vienna is one of the most important historical cities for musicians.  Mozart, Beethoven, Strauss, Schubert . . . . and so many more worked and studied here.  All around the city are monuments dedicated to their work.

Mozart

Strauss

   

Schubert

Beethoven

9. Architecture

I found so many beautiful buildings that are what I think of when I think of Vienna.

  

10. The Prater

The recreational area in Vienna, known as the Prater, dates back to the 1400's.  Since then, it has been used as a hunting ground, site of various merry-go-rounds and other attractions, and the World's Fair.  The most famous attraction is the Riesenrad or Giant Ferris Wheel.  It was built in 1896 and still runs today.  We got to ride it and take in the view from the top!

Vienna Pictures