More Vienna 17.08.2015


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There are too many castles in Vienna. After Schönbrunn Palace you definitely should visit Belvedere Palace. There are too parts: upper Belvedere and lower Belvedere. Together they make beautiful ensemble, though it’s not that beautiful as Schönbrunn.

Photo 539
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 539
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 540
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 540
(cc) by Rushan

Accidentally we found a monument to Soviet soldiers which is quite close to Belvedere. It was absolutely unexpected to be honest.

Photo 541
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 541
(cc) by Rushan

Beyond palaces Vienna is also famous with its beautiful churches. Usually Catholic cathedrals look decent and even gloomily. However interior might be pretty rich. Here is Peters church from the inside:

Photo 542
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 542
(cc) by Rushan

Rich interior doesn't always make the right atmosphere. To be honest the only Christian church where I had the feeling I'm really in a Gods place was church of Frederick in Copenhagen.
Sometimes churches here look a bit simple. Though in St. Charles's Church renovation is ongoing. Even that doesn't stop the church from taking the money from tourists for visits (:

Photo 543
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 543
(cc) by Rushan

Another church I would like to mention is Gothic Stephan church. It is built in quite dark style even from the inside. And it’s huge.

Photo 544
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 544
(cc) by Rushan
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(cc) by Rushan
Photo 545
(cc) by Rushan

Besides architecture one can easily feel music here. There is nothing strange here, as there were some many composers here. In the city centre I saw a Latino troop (looks like a family business). They sing really cool. Otherwise it would be tricky to gather such an audience. And I have to say people were paying (with money as well) them quite good.

Photo 546
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 546
(cc) by Rushan

As the meeting was on the way to Mozart’s house, it really increased the impression and musical tune (:
In the house you also can feel music waves.

Photo 547
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 547
(cc) by Rushan

Almost in every palace there is an option to take audioguide (in most cases even a Russian version). Quite convenient option instead of classic excursion. You don’t have to stick to a huge crowd and try to catch every word of a live guide. Well, some guides know really interesting stories, which are normally not presented in such audioguides. Though nothing is perfect (:

Photo 548
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 548
(cc) by Rushan

And the last huge palace worth to visit is Hofburg. Inside there is also Sisi museum of Empress Elisabeth (wife of Emperor Franz Joseph I). Inside one can see quite detailed representation of Royal family life: starting from dishes which was used for dinners and ending up with the bed of Emperor Franz Joseph I, where he had a around 3-4 hour nap between important tasks for his country. He survived in this mode (with 3-4h sleep) till 87. May be I just waste my time having so much sleep?

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(cc) by Rushan

Sigmund Freud lived in Vienna for a long time. His apartment (also was used for patient visits) is almost in the city centre. Unfortunately it didn’t survive till nowadays in original state as Freud had to leave Austria before WWII. He went to England. He paid for the escape almost 200 thousands euro (in nowadays numbers). Quite a money, right?
His daughter presented some furniture which was also evacuated to England to museum. Old photos of apartment also helped to restore the original state a bit.

Photo 550
(cc) by Rushan
Photo 550
(cc) by Rushan

This is how I saw Vienna.