Eastern Europe Travel Part III(Vienna)

December 10, 2015 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Eastern Europe Travel Part III(Vienna I) 

Eastern Europe Travel Part III(Vienna I)

Day 4  Friday, 16.10.2015 Vienna Historic Landmarks

Location of Vienna in Austria

Day 4 of our Eastern Europe tour would be a very busy day for us as we had many historic landmarks in Vienna to visit. Before we started the city tour, an Austrian guide, Michael, met us at the hotel, Hotel Exe Vienna, where we were staying. He then brought us to the following historic landmarks in Vienna City.

Location of some historic landmarks in Vienna to be visited by tour-group on Day 4

 

Michael, an Austrian tour-guide, in Vienna

 

Town Hall(Rathaus)

At 9 in the morning, we left our Hotel exe Vienna where we stayed the previous night and went to Town Hall(Rathaus), our first historic landmark visit, in the Old Town. At Town Hall we met our Austrian guide, Michael, who would lead us on the city tour of Vienna.

Town Hall was built in 1872-1883 in neo-Gothic architectural style. It houses the mayor’s office, city council of Vienna, Governor’s office and State Assembly of Vienna. It has been under renovation since 2012 and is expected to be done in 2023.

Burgtheatre or Imperial Theatre

Near Town Hall is a theatre, Burgtheatre or Imperial Theatre, that uses German in performances. Built in 1741 in Italian high Renaissance architectural style, it has statues and busts adorning its facade.

Town Hall(Rathaus) in Vienna, Austria

Burghtheatre(Imperial Theatre) that uses German in performances near Town Hall, Vienna, Austria

Oblique view of Town Hall(Rathaus) in Vienna, Austria

 

Rathaus Park

Having seen Town Hall and Burgtheatre, we crossed the town park, Rathaus Park, to the Austrian Parliament Building.

Parliament Building

The Parliament Building is on Ring Road Boulevard. It was built in 1874-1883 in Greek Revival architectural style. Two houses of the Austrian legislature, National Council and Federal Council conduct their sessions in the building.

Parliament Building, Vienna, Austria

Tour group walking to Parliament Building in Vienna, Austria

Athena Fountain in front of Parliament House, Vienna, Austria

 

Athena Fountain

The front of the Parliament Building is decorated with many statues which are mostly Greek figures. But the most beautiful and prominent structure erected between 1893 and 1902 is in front of the Parliament Building. It is a large fountain known as Athena Fountain. It consists of a statue of Goddess of Wisdom, Athena, standing on top of a tall pillar. She is dressed in armour with gilded helmet, her left hand carries a spear and right hand a small statue of the winged Goddess of Victory, Nike. Lying at the foot of the fountain are four figures representing the four important rivers in Austria: Danube, Inn, Elbe and Vitava. The female figures represent the legislative and executive powers of the government.

There is a brightly-coloured picture of a Greek goddess on the left side of the facade of the Parliament Building.

A brightly-coloured picture of a Greek goddess on the left of the facade of Parliament Building, Vienna, Austria

Tea and family at Parliament Building in Vienna, Austria

Choo Chaw and wife at Parliament Building in Vienna, Austria

 

Volksgarten Park

Then we left the Parliament Building and walked to a former royal garden, Volksgarten Park. In this garden there are many varieties of roses, two fountains and some statues of famous Austrian people.

Tour-group walking to Volksgarten and Hofburg(Imperial Palace) in Vienna, Austria

A fountain in Volksgarten, Vienna, Austria

Volksgarten in the foreground and Burgtheatre that uses German in performance in the background

 

The following were some of the statures in the garden we saw:

Franz Grillparzer(1791-1872)

A marble statue of Franz Grillparzer was erected in 1889 in memory of him as a poet and playwright. The reliefs on the wall depict some of the scenes in his plays.

A statue of Franz Gillparzer(1791-1872) who was an Austrian poet and playwright in Volksgarten in Vienna, Austria

Karl Renner(1870-1950)

Near this statue is a silver-coloured sculpture of Karl Renner’s head. Renner is remembered as the 1st. Chancellor of Austria in 1945 and 4th. President of Austria from 1945 till 1950.

A sculpture of Karl Renner’s head in Volksgarten(Renner was the first Chancellor of Austria and 4th. President of Austria)

Johann Strauss I(1804-1849) and Joseph Lanner(1801-1843)

On another spot of the park there are two bronze statues of Johann Strauss I and Joseph Lanner. Strauss(1804-1849) is remembered as a romantic composer whereas Lanner(1801-1843) a dance music composer.

Statues of Johann Strauss !(1805-1849) and Joseph Lanner(1891-1849) who were famous Austrian music-composers

Hofburg Palace

While walking from Volksgarten to Ballhausplatz(a small square), we saw the large Austrian Imperial Palace or Hofburg a few hundreds metres away. It consists of two parts: New Austrian Imperial Palace(Neue Hofburg) and Old Imperial Palace(Alte Hofburg).

New Austrian Imperial Palace(Neue Hofburg)

The New Imperial Palace(Neue Hofburg) is a long, curved, majestic-looking building, and was built at the beginning of the 20th. Century, shortly before the end of the Austrian monarchy in 1918. It now houses Austrian National Library, and a few museums including Ethnology, Papyrus, Ephesos, Arms and Armour, and Ancient Musical Instruments.

There are two equestrian statues in a large open space, Heroes’ Square(Heldenplatz), in front of it. One is the statue of Prince Eugene of Savoy(1663-1736) and the other Archduke Charles(1771-1847).

New Austrian Imperial Palace or Neue Hofburg and Heroes’ Square or Heldenplatz in front, Vienna

Prince Eugene was a great military commander of the Imperial Army who had fought in many battles and wars, including Great Turkish War, Nine Years’ War, War of the Spanish Succession, Austro-Turkish War and War of the Polish Succession. Archduke Charles was also a great military commander and reformer of the Imperial Army. He was considered as a hero of the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.

Memorial for the Victims of Nazi Military JusticeT

Before we visited the Old Imperial Palace, we walked to a small square, Ballhausplatz. A war memorial was erected in 2014 in this square. It is a large three layered concrete structure in the shape of letter “X”. It is to remember more than 30 000 civilians, soldiers and prisoners-of-war in Europe who received death sentences from the Nazi Military Justice during World War II(1939-1945). The “X” refers to the victims who were considered as “subverters of the war effort” by the Nazi military courts. On top of the X-monument are just two inscribed words: “all” which is repeated many times and “alone” just once in the centre of “X”. These two words are found in one of Ian Hamilton Finlay’s poems.

X-monument in Ballhausplatz(Square) near Hofburg(Imperial Palace), Vienna, Austria

X-monument in memory of over 30 000 victims of the Nazi Military Justice, Vienna, Austria

Tour-members having a close look at the X-monument in Ballhausplatz(Square), Vienna, Austria

 

Old Austrian Imperial Palace(Alte Hofburg)

Having spent several minutes at the war memorial in Ballhausplatz Square, we walked a few metres to the Old Austrian Imperial Palace (Alte Hofburg) adjacent to the new one. This old palace had been the residence of Austrian rulers, kings and emperors for over 600 years from the 13th. Century till the end of the monarchy in 1918.

Plan of old and new parts of Austrian Imperial Palace, Vienna

The main part of the old palace has a courtyard, In der Burg Square, which is surrounded by four building blocks. The oldest block was originally a fortress, Old Fortress(Alte Burg), built in the 13th. Century. It is now known as Swiss Wing.

In der Burg Square surrounded by 4 building blocks or wings in Old Hofburg, Vienna, Austria

Swiss Wing

In the 18th. Century, the Old Fortress was known as Swiss Wing when Swiss guards were employed to guard the palace. The fortress had undergone a lot of changes. Swiss Wing now houses the Imperial Treasury of the regalia of the Holy Roman Empire and the Austrian Empire. The entrance of Swiss Wing called Swiss Gate(Schweizertor) looks attractive with red and black paints, and an imperial emblem. Besides, there are two stone lions guarding the entrance against evil spirits.

Swiss Gate to Imperial Treasury(Kaiserliche Schatskammer) in Swiss Wing, Hofburg, Vienna

The crown of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II at the Imperial Treasury in Swiss Wing, Hofburg, Vienna

A stone-lion guarding Swiss Gate against evil spirits, Hofburg, Viemma

 

Amalia Residence(Amalienburg)

The building opposite Swiss Wing is Amalia Residence(Amalienburg) which was erected in the 16th. Century. It was Empress Amalia’s residence, after her husband, Emperor Joseph I(1699-1711) passed away. Empress was born in 1673 and died in 1742. Empress Elizabeth( 1837-1898) was the last resident of the building.

The Amalia Residence was built in Renaissance architectural style with a small domed tower in the centre of the roof and a clock in front of it.

Leopoldine Wing(Leopoldinisher Trakt)

A building block in Baroque architectural style was built to connect Swiss Wing to Amalia Residence by Emperor Leopold I in 1668-1680 and named after the emperor, Leopoldine Wing(Leopoldinischer Trakt). Empress Maria Theresa(1717-1780) lived in the building in the 18th. Century. After her death her rooms became state rooms. Now the building houses the Austrian Federal President’s office.

Imperial Chancellery Wing

Facing Leopoldine Wing is another building block known as Imperial Chancellery Wing completed in 1730. It housed the Holy Roman Empire Chancellery until 1806. Then it became residential suites for the imperial family and Emperor Franz Joseph I(1830-1916).

 

Imperial Chancellery Wing, Hofburg, Vienna

Roman statues and emperor emblem on the roof of Imperial Chancellery Wing, Hofburg, Vienna

Sculptures of the Labours of Hercules on a doorway of Imperial Chancellery Wing, Hofburg, Vienna

 

Sculptures in In der Burg Square

In the centre of In der Burg Square is a monument with a statue of a Roman Dictator, Julius Caesar(100-44 B.C.), standing at its top. It was erected there in memory of Emperor Franz Joseph I(1830-1916). On the two doorways of Amalia Residence(Amalienburg) are four sculptures depicting the Labours of Hercules, including the capturing of a bull and slaying of a lion.

A monument with statue of Dictator Julius Caesar in In der Burg Square dedicated to Emperor Franz Joseph I in Hofburg, Vienna

Choo Chaw and wife in In der Burg Square, Hofburg, Vienna

Austrian guide, Michael, talking about Austrian Imperial Palace to tour-group in In der Burg Square, Hofburg, Vienna

 

Joseph Square 

When we left In der Burg Square we entered another courtyard known as Joseph Square. In this square a monument of an equestrian statue of Emperor Joseph II(1741-1790) was erected between 1795 and 1807 and the statue looks like a Roman conqueror.

Joseph Square , Hofburg Palace, Vienna

Equestrian Statue of Emperor Joseph II(1741-1789) in Joseph Square, Hofburg Palace, Vienna

Austrian National Library in Joseph Square, Hofburg Palace, Vienna

 

Austrian National Library at Old Imperial Palace(Hofburg)

Behind the monument of Emperor Joseph II is a building block built in late Baroque architectural style in the 18th. Century. It was originally the Imperial Library, but now it houses the Austrian National Library, concert hall and State Hall(Prunksaal).

Old entrance to Austrian National Library, Hofburg Palace, Vienna

Pallavicini Palace

The monument is facing a building block known as Pallavicini Palace built in neo-classical architectural style in 1784. It was not part of the Imperial Palace(Hofburg). It is now owned by an Italian noble family, Pallavicni. Its main doorway is flanked by statues of Roman ladies.

Doorway of Pallavicini Palace is flanked by sculptures of Roman ladies near Joseph Square, Vienna

Albertina Square

When we left Joseph Square we walked to Albertina Square nearby to wait for our coach. While waiting I noticed a white sculpture in the small square depicting war victims in grotesque positions and in pain. It is a monument in memory of victims of war and fascism in Austria. Alfred Hrdlicka(1928-2009), an Austrian sculptor, created it in 1988-91. There are several quaint buildings built in Baroque architectural style near the square.

Albertina Square with a monument in memory of Austrian victims of war and facism, Vienna

A quaint building in Baroque style near Albertina Square, Vienna

Quaint buildings near Albertina Square, Vienna

 

Then our coach arrived and brought us to another palace known as Belvedere, an 18th. Century palace built in Baroque architectural style. It is about 2.2 km south-east of Hofburg Palace.

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Eastern Europe Travel(13-20 October 2015)

Part I(Budapest)

Part II(Bratislava & Pandorf Designer Outlet)

Part III(Vienna)

Part IV(Vienna II)

Part V(Brno)

Part VI(Prague)

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Eastern Europe Travel Part II(Bratislava and Parndorf Designer Outlet)

Eastern Europe Travel Part II(Bratislava, Parndorf Designer Outlet and Vienna)

Day 3  Thursday 15 October 2015

Journey to Bratislava and Vienna from Budapest(203 km)

Map showing coach-route from Budapest to Bratislava, Parndorf Designer Outlets and Vienna

At 8.45 in the morning we all put our luggage in the coach and left our hotel, Hotel Budapest, in Budapest City. Before we left for Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, we went to a hill, Gellert Hill, to have a last look of the whole city of Budapest.

Loading our luggage into the coach outside Budapest Hotel before leaving for Bratislava

Gellert Hill

40 minutes later, we were on the hill. Standing on a vantage point, we saw the panoramic view of Budapest City and River Danube running through it in the middle. But, unfortunately, the city was covered with thin mist.

Panoramic view of Budapest City from Gellert Hill on a misty morning

Choo Chaw and wife on Gellert Hil and Budapest City in the background

Wong and wife on Gellert Hill and Budapest City in the background

Little Hungarian Plains(Kisalford)

Then we started our journey to Bratislava. On the way we passed through harvested farmlands and saw some tall wind-turbines generating pollution-free electricity in the distance in Little Hungarian Plains(Kisalford) in north-western Hungary.

Hungary-Slovakia Border

Soon we arrived at the Hungary-Slovakia border where John, our coach-driver, had to buy Slovakian road-tax for his coach. There was no passport-check at the border as both countries are members of the European Union.

Harvested cornfield in north-western Hungary as seen from our coach

Tour-coach arriving at the Hungary-Slovakia border

Wind-turbines in Little Hungarian Plains(Kisalfold) in north-western Hungary

Bratislava, Slovakia

Several minutes later, we continued our journey to Bratislava. Bratislava has a population of 500000 people and, like Budapest, is a political, cultural and economic centre in Slovak Republic.

Main entrance to Bratislava Castle, Castle Hill, Bratislava, Slovakia

On arrival at the city, we went up a small hill of 85 metres, Castle Hill, above River Danube to see a historical castle known as Bratislava Castle.

Parliament Building

Right in front of the main entrance of the castle was a modern block-shaped building that houses National Council or National Parliament of Slovak Republic. Besides, there were two red vehicles, bus and train, waiting for tourists who wanted to tour round Bratislava Castle.

Parliament Building of Slovak Republic, Bratislava, Slovakia

Antique bus waiting for tourists for a Bratislava Castle tour

Train waiting for tourists for a Bratislava Castle tour

Maria Theresa(1717-1780)

Several castles were built, destroyed and rebuilt on Castle Hill by successive conquerors from 9th. till 18th. Centuries.

When Maria Theresa became Queen of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1740, she spent much time staying in Bratislava Castle and improving it for better living. She died in 1780.

Queen Maria Theresa(1717-1780)

Then in 1783 the seat of central authorities of the Kingdom of Hungary in Bratislava(or Pressburg) was moved to Budapest, and the castle became a barracks for 1500 soldiers. In 1818, the castle was burnt down by a careless soldier and it was not restored until about 150 years later. Restoration began in 1957 and completed in 1968.

Tour-manager, Joyanne, describing Bratislava Castle with the help of the information on the board

Tea family on the cobbled pathway to Bratislava Castle behind them

Chang and wife on cobbled pathway to Bratislava Castle behind them

Plan and Information on Bratislava Castle

After entering the main entrance, we walked up a cobbled pathway to the castle on the hill. Then we stopped for a while to listen to our tour-manager, Joyanne, describing the castle with the help of a plan and information given on a board hanging on a stone-wall along the pathway. Several minutes later, we continued walking to the top to see Bratislava Castle which was restored in 1968.

An entrance-gate to Bratislava Castle with sculptures of suits of armours atop

Bratislava Castle on top of Castle Hill, Bratislava, Slovakia

Tour-members in front of Bratislava Castle

The restored Bratislava Castle is a large rectangular building with four towers, one in each corner. The building is painted white and its roof red. In its courtyard there is a 80 metre-deep well that was used in the olden days. The castle now houses the presentation rooms for National Council(Parliament) of Slovak Republic, rooms for the president and Slovak National Museum.

Choo Chaw and wife at Bratislava Castle

Courtyard of Bratislava Castle, Castle Hill, Bratislava

An 80 metre-deep well in the courtyard of Bratislava Castle used in the olden years

Statue of King Svatopluk I

In the Honorary Courtyard in front of the castle main entrance is a statue of King Svatopluk I on horseback on a high pedestal. It was erected there in 2010 when the courtyard was completely reconstructed. King Svatopluk I(840-894) was the ruler of Great Moravian Empire in Central Europe which expanded greatly during his reign from 870 till 894.

Statue of King Svatopluk I of Moravia(840-894) in the Honorary Courtyard front of Bratislava Castle

West Terrace

Adjacent to Bratislava Castle is West Terrace which is a U-shaped triple-storey building. It is on a lower ground. Now it is an information centre of Chancellery of the Nation Council(Slovakia Parliament) and exposition place.

West Terrace adjacent to Bratislava Castle, Castle Hill, Bratislava

View of Budapest City

A panoramic view of Bratislava City, River Danube and  Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising(Most NSP) can be seen from Bratislava Castle. We were unlucky to see the city in the distance covered with some mist.

Panoramic view of Bratislava City, River Danube and modern bridge as seen from Bratislava Castle on a misty day

Parndorf Designer Outlet

At 1.30 p.m. we left Bratislava Castle in Slovakia and travelled west. 15 minutes later, we arrived at the Slovakia-Austria border where John, our coach-driver, had to buy Austrian road-tax for his vehicle and there was no passport-check. A few minutes later, we continued our journey.

Coach arriving at Slovakia-Austria border where there is no passport-check

Plan of the Parndorf Designer Outlet, Austria

Map showing McArthur Glen Designer Outlets in Europe and North America

At 2.30 p.m. we arrived at Parndorf Designer Outlet. It consists of about 130 shopping stores selling designer goods ranging from accessories, jewellery and perfumes to clothing and footwear at cheaper prices. This is one of the 21 outlets in Europe and North America belonging to McArthur Glen Group that was established in 1933.

Stores at Parndorf Outlet, Austria

Stores at Parndorf Designer Outlet, Austria

Stores at Parndorf Designer Outlet

We took our lunch at the outlet before we started shopping. Then we spent about two hours at the outlet. At 4.30 p.m. we left the place and continued our journey to Vienna.

Stores at Parndorf Designer Outlet

Stores at Parndorf Designer Outlet

Stores at Parndorf Designer Outlet

Restaurant China Le Wei and Hotel Exe Vienna

Soon we reached Vienna City at 5.30 p.m. and went to a restaurant, Restaurant China Le Wei, direct. In the restaurant, we sat down for a Chinese dinner. We were joined by two assistant tour-managers, Wong and Wing. After dinner we went to Hotel Exe Vienna in Ottakringer Street in the city and stayed there for a night

Tour-group having dinner at Restaurant China Le Wei in Vienna, Austria

Assistant tour-managers, Wong and Wing, having dinner together with tour-members at Restaurant China Le Wei in Vienna, Austria

Hotel Exe Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Eastern Europe Travel(13-20 October 2015):

Part I(Budapest)

Part II(Bratislava & Pandorf Designer Outlet)

Part III(Vienna)

Part IV(Vienna II)

Part V(Brno)

Part VI(Prague)

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