Nine
Plus Best Things to See in Vienna
My
recent visit to Vienna originally included a twenty
hour schedule of activities that suddenly was reduced to eight
hours. This unexpected time challenge forced me to create a
best bucket list to be covered in less than eight hours. Having
been to Wien in years past, along with a great love for the
city and it's history, I selected familiar places, all in close
proximity to each other near the Ringstrasse, that I knew would
not disappoint. I walked this list, however, you can get a map
and buy a Vienna Pass to take public transportation if required.
Vienna Ringstrasse, photo by Christain Stemper
The
Ringstrasse became the 'then and now' center of Vienna following
a historic statement from Kaiser Franz Joseph in December 1857
that appeared in the Wiener Zeitung stating his wish that the
Vienna suburbs should be connected to the center of imperial
power, the 5.3-kilometer-long Ringstrasse was built in over
50 years, and it remains unparalleled. The Ringstrasse is the
heart of Vienna, and my "Nine Plus" favored locations
are all here.
The
Vienna State Opera House is an architectural treasure
that is recognized as the musical heart of the city, and showcases
the statues of the two riders on horseback, which were placed
on the main facade of the loggia in 1876. They were created
by Ernst Julius Hähnel, and represent Erato's two winged
horses that are led by "Harmony and the Muse of Poetry".
On the arches above the veranda are Hähnel's five bronze
statues representing, from left to right: heroism, tragedy,
fantasy, comedy, and love, and on the right and left sides of
the opera house are two fountains by Josef Gasser, representing
two different worlds: on the left, music, dance, joy, and levity,
and on the right, seduction, sorrow, love, and revenge. When
you enter through one of the main front doors of the lobby,
which has been preserved in its original form, you get an immediate
impression of the interior of the old opera house. Unaffected
by the bombing were the whole main front, the main lobby, the
central staircase, the Schwind Foyer and attached veranda, and
the Tea Salon on the first floor. These have been preserved
in their original state.
Vienna State Opera
Just
across the street is the historic Hotel Sacher,
where royals and diplomats have enjoyed lunch and cocktails
since 1876. This exquisite jewel of a hotel is home to the Rote
Restaurant Bar featuring the exceptional culinary skills of
Chef Werner Pichlmaier. A Viennese lunch of Tafelspitz in this
elegant room, or a Sacher Torte in the Cafe Sacher is a must
for anyone visiting Wien.
St.
Stephen's Cathredral is the symbol of Vienna. Construction
commenced in the 12th century, and today it is one of the most
important Gothic structures in Austria. A total of 13 bells
hang in the tower, which offers amazing views of Vienna. The
best-known bell of St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Pummerin, is
located in north tower, and it is the second-largest free-swinging
chimed church bell in Europe.
The
roof of St. Stephen's Cathedral is comprised of colorful roof
tiles laid to create the Royal and Imperial double-headed eagle
and the coat of arms of the city of Vienna. The Cathredral contains
the tombs of royalty and princes of the church. It is my favorite
Cathredral in the Austro-Hungarian regions.
Just
a few steps from the Cathedral you will find my favorite shopping
area, and home of the Perfumerie J.B. Filz
at Graben 13, where the perfumes of the Royal's have been created
by the Filz family for centuries, and today "Wiener Lieblings-Duft"
(Vienna Darling) perfume can still be purchased.
On
a sunny day there is not a more lovely place than the Hofburg
Palace, and my visit to the Sisi Museum was
magical. Elizabeth Empress of Austria/Queen of Hungary was truly
a 'now' women living in luxury in a past century. The exhibition
is beautifully done, and provides an inside look at the life
the Empress and Emperor experienced in the huge Hofburg complex.
The exhibition was created by renowned set designer Prof. Rolf
Langenfass, and inspired by the monarch's poetry.
Volksgarten Park/Mozart Monument
The
Belvedere Museum (Lower) houses beautiful paintings
of Gustav Klimt (July 14, 1862 - February 6, 1918). For centuries
it has housed the exceptional paintings and watercolors of historic
artists. It is a beautiful property with charming gardens that
was the location of the goodbye dinner for Marie Antoinette
when she left Vienna to travel to Paris to become the Queen
of France.
A
visit to Wien would not be complete without a dinner at the
OPUS in the Hotel Imperial.
This historic palace was once a family owned palace that became
a respected hotel destination for State officials and visiting
dignitaries, including several American Presidents. The five
star restaurant features the award winning plates of Executive
Chef Rupert Schnait. The menu items showcase
Viennese flavors served in modern presentations that are photo
perfect and amazing.
The
Volksgarten Park not only offers prominent monuments
to Empress Elizabeth and her husband Emperor Franz Joseph, but
there is a beautiful monument to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
featuring a large colorful Clef of vibrant pink flowers that
would make anyone smile. This park is a peaceful respite to
rest and enjoy a water between sightseeing destinations.
Kunsthistorisches Museum
The
Kunsthistorisches Museum was built in 1891 near the
Imperial Palace to house the extensive collections of the imperial
family. With its vast array of eminent works and the largest
Bruegel collection in the world, it is considered one of the
most eminent museums in the world.
Raphael's
"Madonna in the Meadow," Vermeer's "The Allegory
of Painting," the Infanta paintings by Velazquez, masterworks
by Rubens, Rembrandt, Dürer, Titian and Tintoretto are
housed in the paintings gallery. The Egyptian and Near Eastern
Collection contains fascinating treasures from mysterious cultures
long past.
So,
if you are pressed for time, I hope my quick pick list may help
you make the most of valuable time while in Vienna. For additional
information visit: www.vienna.info.
By Bonnie Carroll
About Bonnie Carroll
Bonnie Carroll has been a food/travel/lifestyle writer since
1983. She is the founder & publisher of Bonnie Carroll's
Life Bites News - www.lifebitesnews.com,
does travel and food reporting on KZSB1290 radio, and contributes
to a variety of national and international travel/lifestyle
publications. Her first children's book C.C. Charles was published
in 2002 and she is currently working on a second book. Contact
her at Contact her at writebc@aol.com.