So, after my afternoon in Budapest, Hungary, I took a bus up the Danube River to Vienna, Austria. Unfortunately, my time in Wien was just as short as my time spent south of there the day before. After a quick tramway ride to the city's heart at Saint Stephen's Cathedral, I took a short stroll and then short-bus tour around downtown.
Both tours were great, but again - I didn't get the opportunity to enter any sites except for the Cathedral. Even then, my time was limited. Either way, the city was gorgeous and lived up to its "Lonely Planet" props of effortlessly mixing new and old architecture, despite some pretty serious red, white and blue World War II destruction.
Saint Stephen's Cathedral in the very heart of Vienna (or Wien). Predominantly built between the early 14th and 16th centuries, the cathedral is the seat of the Viennese diocese.
The Central Nave was completed in 1474.
The western pews and one of the cathedral's 18 alters.
On the Dome's northern exterior, a mural depicting part of the Passion as well as a Statue of Christ. This work is affectionately known as "Christ with a Toothache" by Viennese.
Built by Emperor Leopold c. 1690, the Plague Monument sits in the city's center as a lasting testament to those who died of the disease, which was facilitated by the city's close proximity to the heavily-travelled Danube River.
The front facade of the Spanish Horse Riding School. Built in the early 18th century, this building houses the traditional riding school for Lipizzan horses and conducts seasonal performances as well as formal dressings.
Part of the above facade.
The Hofburg Palace, home to the Austrian President and historical residence of the Habsburgs, stands on the traditional seat of Austrian government since c. 1280.
Vienna's Museum of Art History sits next to the Hofburg Palace and was opened in 1891, the same time as its counterpart, the Natural History Museum (which sits across Maria Theresa Square).
The Austrian Parliament building, constructed in the late 19th century. The President of Austria is sworn in at this locale.
From the back of our bumpy ride. Good pictures were hard to take as the vehicle's shocks were a little rough.
Our knowledgeable tour guide, Clause, would occasionally share a dirty joke between German and English anecdotes. His quip about the Police Academy being like the 1980's American movie was quite unexpected.
The Neo-Gothic Votive Church was erected as a direct result of a failed assassination attempt of the Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph in 1853.
A monument in front of the current Police Academy pays tribute to the Austrian Military's Combat Leaders.
The Vienna University of Engineering denied a young Adolf Hitler admission around the turn of the 20th century due to poor grades.
The Mozart House was where the classical musician lived from 1784 to 1787. Now it is a museum not far from Saint Stephen's Cathedral.
Flowers in bloom!
One of at least ten structures that we passed that are dedicated to preserving Austrian Music through opera, education or history.
The Vienna State Opera House. Today, it purportedly hosts over 50 operas each year.
I couldn't help but smile a little at Austria's World War II memorial after Clause told us that American bombs destroyed much of the city. I know - I didn't feel good about it...but I did.
The Museum Quartier holds a majority of Vienna's most prized works of art.
The Peoples' Museum.
One of my favorite structures in Vienna.
...and my favorite monument / statue, which can be found outside of the Spanish Riding School.
Wow, such beautiful buildings in Budapest. The horse riding school seems interesting. My daughter visited the L'Ecole Nationale D'Equitation in France last fall. She posted pics on her blog and was very amused - in a cowgirl sort of way - by the horses.
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