“Ohhh, Vienna”
Vienna, Austria. June 2018. (12 photos)
This is Part 1 of my Austria 2018 photo series, and also Part 9 of my Europe 2018 photo series.
I caught the train out of Venice; the high speed Night Jet to be precise. I had a private cabin with shower and bathroom, just like James Bond would have had. As the train pulled out of Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia, I tried to confirm with the conductor that there was no-one named Jaws, Tee Hee or Mr Hinx on board the train, and there was no group booking for the SPECTRE organisation. Somewhat satisfied with his answers, I cautiously took a shower and went to sleep as the train sped across Northern Italy. Without incident, I awoke to have breakfast as the train was crossing Austria and arrived relatively refreshed into Vienna.
The post title comes from the Ultravox song that you might know. If you don’t know it then I guess this means nothing to you.
Ohhh, Vienna.
Above is the Stephansdom, St Stephen’s Cathedral. Completed in 1160, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. I could have taken the lift to the top of the North tower (68.3 metres (223 ft) tall), but instead I climbed the 343 steps of the taller South tower (136.7 metres (448 ft) tall) to get my views above Vienna, including the photo below. I needed the exercise.
“Above Vienna”
“Traditional Vienna”
Horse drawn carriages are everywhere throughout Innere Stadt, Viennaās old town.
“Ohhh! Vienna”
Vienna is a very ornate city. Beautiful Baroque era architecture and numerous statues and sculptures throughout the Innere Stadt.
“The streets of Vienna”
A mix of old and new.
“The Hofburg”
The ornate exterior of the Hofburg, the former imperial palace of the Habsburg dynasty rulers and current official residence and workplace of the President of Austria. It was built in the 13th century. The view is from the Michaelerplatz.
“Josefsplatz 5”
Just another plain old building in central Vienna.
“The City of Music”
Vienna is known as the city of music because of its musical legacy. One of its venues is the Wiener Musikverein, home of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, where I attended a concert. Above is the Wiener Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera) where an opera, Der Freischutz, was being performed. I don’t know if it was a sold out performance or not, but it was being broadcast live to crowds on the street outside. The crowd applauded at the appropriate times as well.
“Another Viennese building”
“Blue Danube”
There’s a canal channelling some water from the nearby Danube River through the eastern part of the city. I think it is part of a flood regulation system. It’s not exactly blue but the artwork almost makes you think it could be.
“Interior, Schloss Belvedere”
“Upper Belvedere”
Schloss Belvedere, Belvedere Palace, is a historic building complex consisting of two Baroque palaces (the Upper and Lower Belvedere), the Orangery, and the Palace Stables. The grounds are set on a gentle gradient and include decorative tiered fountains and cascades, Baroque sculptures, and majestic wrought iron gates. The Baroque palace complex was built as a summer residence for Prince Eugene of Savoy.
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This is Part 1 of my Austria 2018 photo series.
This is Part 9 of my Europe 2018 photo series, including Czechia (The Czech Republic), The Netherlands, France, Italy, Austria, Greece and Germany.
Wow!… When do you come to Munich? š
I get to Germany in my posts eventually. Afterall, That’s where I started.
Nice angles. Unlike ultravox, this means something to me.
Thanks. It’s such an ornate and beautiful city.
I fell in love with this city. It’s magical at xmas. I love its streets, its coffee, impressive museums, graveyards of famous composers, Belvedere with amazing galaries , its apfelstrudel and the new Danube.
Great post.
Naturally I had the Sacher Torte (at Demel Cafe) but the strudels were much more tasty and varied. The Museum quarter was impressive. It’s a beautiful city. Is it covered in snow in winter? That would be fantastic to see.
Used to be though we haven’t had much snow lately.
Thanks for the info.
Welcome.
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Ah, Demel!
I didn’t realise it was such a big place.
And rather ornate, as I recall?
Yes, but not out of step with the rest of the city. š
Oh, no!
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I’ve not been, so I enjoyed looking through this post.
Thank you. It’s a beautiful city to visit.
Beautiful Vienna! I look forward to seeing your other photos of it.
Thank you. I’m just finishing off the chronology of my trip and then I’ll double back to the various cities, including Vienna.
Most amusing the way you intertwine song lyrics with your photos š Sadly Vienna means nothing to me as I haven’t felt the urge to go there, though I have passed through Salzburg many, many years ago. Beautiful architecture though. āJosefsplatz 5ā is wonderful.
Thanks, Jude. Sometimes those song titles and lyrics just pop out when I’m making my posts. š The architecture there is amazing. I’ve wanted to experience the culture in Vienna for a while.
I have a feeling one of your images is of part of the PestSaĆ¼le on the Graben….I spent a short time in Vienna 30 years ago….
You have a great visual memory. Yes, the street photo with the mix of buildings is on the Graben. I was standing on the Stephansplatz when I took it.
I do have a good visual memory, Draco, helped by taking photographs, I’m sure! I must scan some of my slides from that trip……maybe!
I’m sure all the photography has been good training for your memory. I once considered scanning all my negatives and slides. I’ve given up on that. š
I scan piecemeal…I have just done 6 today because I wanted some specific images….
A good idea to scan as needed.
šš
I always enjoy your perspective. You’re getting to see so much of the world’s cultural legacy. Marvelous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you, Sally. Coming from a relatively young country, I was overdosing on Europe’s vast history and culture.
Those journeys do give you perspective on the world as it is evolving or devolving.
Very true, Sally.
I can understand the over dosing I went round with my jaw almost trailing on the ground…
Yes, Vienna does that to people. Where to look next?
My eyes are overwhelmed! Beautiful. And, who knew the Blue Danube was a boat?? My favorite is the shot of the chandelier. Bravo! Glad you got the exercise. No one likes an overweight dragon. š
Wow! I can’t imagine being surrounded by all that opulence, history, and amazing architecture! I imagine, though, as is so typical, the residents just take it all in stride. But since I’ve never seen anything like it, I’m awestruck! Your pictures just bring these places to life!
Thank you. I experienced the same in almost every European city I visited, since Australia only has a young history and architectural style. It’s amazing to see it, but you do become a bit used to it after a while.
Beautiful images Dragon and lovely to see Vienna without the snow. We were there many years ago just before Christmas. It was lovely with the Christmas market, the smell of roasted chestnuts and gluhwein and a concert at the Orangerie šš¶
Thank you. Your description makes me want to see Vienna covered in snow at Christmas!!! It would be so beautiful, with sleighs, instead of carriages?
Another excellent travelogue.
Thank you very much.
I’ve been enjoying your Europe-hopping. Looking forward to everything that is coming. Especially great to see Vienna where my father used to work so I visited often and the Loire chateaux to where my first trip without parents led in 1991 (and then to Paris, of course). Chambord and Chaumont were the favourites and we slept in the camp on the island in Amboise. Great memories and lovely glimpses.
Thank you. You’re lucky living so close to all these beautiful places. I wish I didn’t have to join them all into one big trip. I’m glad some of my posts are of places close to your heart.
I love it when I can sing along. š š Impressive looking place, isn’t It? A first visit, I presume? I do like that church roof. Did you indulge the Sacher Torte or Strudel?
Yes, a first for me. It sounds like you’ve been as well. I went to Demel cafe to have the Sacher Torte, as people do. Took a while to get a table. I much preferred the selections of Strudel throughout Vienna, though. Also discovered a branch of Demel at the airport – that helped me to pass the time. š
I’m a strudel person, but no, I’ve never been. š¦ A very good blogging friend (Viveka Gustavson) has been many times and I know it well through her. š The joys of blogging!
Understood. I enjoy armchair travelling as well. That’s how I know the Algarve – through you. One day I’ll get there.
š š
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I loved Vienna and you have portrayed it beautifully!
Thank you. It has such a rich culture and history.
Your photos are so amazing. I loved Vienna with memories of Straus waltzes floating through my brain as I scrolled through your post and the magnificent Lippzanner stallions performing. Did you see them?
Thank you very much. I saw a performance by the Vienna Mozart Orchestra -musicians dressed in mozart period clothing playing Mozart’s music, and sat in on that opera performance, but sadly didn’t get to see the Spanish Riding School. Reason to return another time. š
Being a horse lover it was the highlight for me
I’m sure it would have been. I’ve only seen videos.
Traveling train style in your private bed. Quite the adventure all round. Stunning photos as usual. It seems you can see so much in a short space of time.
Thanks so much. Central Vienna is quite a compact city and easily walkable. It’s just a matter of how much time you have to dig under the surface, do tours, visit museums, etc.
Wonderful shots – as always – and a very beautiful city with history and architecture to dig deep into. The Wiener Musikverein and the New Year concert – I was there on the first row, winter 1982. Lorin Mazel was the enigmatic master of the orchestra. And I also danced at the “Kaiser Ball” at Hofburg – unforgettable. To be young and walzing in a glorious ball gown, on that floor, to that music. Well, that was long ago… Thank you so much for making me remember.
Wow, great experiences and memories. Was it snowing that winter? It’s the city of music most definitely.
This was so long ago…I don’t remember if it was snowing. I do still have that lovely ball dress though…my daughter wears it at university dinners sometimes. That night I felt very special. If it were not for the photos I would hardly believe it really happened.
It’s almost like you’re own personal fairy tale. Cherish those memories.
Hi.
Great story.
Thanks for sharing! ^_^
I wanna travel more now, haha.
My pleasure. Thank you.
I like that view over St. Stephen’s church. Especially the weather. I spent about three rolls of film (yes, that long ago) in Vienna, yet when I look at the photos they bring back no memories. I enjoyed the trip you took us on.
Thank you. Hopefully you remember a little about Vienna, but that does sound like a long time ago.
You always travel in style. I remember you posting on IG about the concerts and coffee houses. That’s the way to do Vienna. š
Thanks. Apart from the photography, I like to experience a location in the way I believe it should be enjoyed. Attending a concert was a must for me in Vienna.
OM,your glorious photos make me feel as if I have never visited Vienna.Time to turn my Venice and Vienna posts into private after seeing yours.Marvellous photographic work!!!
Please don’t do that to your posts! Thank you so much. Have a wonderful holiday.
š
Oh that Night Jet sounds like perfect mode of transport for James Bond š … And yes I do know the song Ohh Vienna (Iām singing now š). Wonderful images Mr Draco, sounds like you had a great time and some exercise! Yummy food?
Thanks, Julie. I was pleasantly surprised I slept a lot better on the train than I do on a plane. Yes, the food was good. I’m no stranger to schnitzels, apple strudel and beer which features heavily there. š