Day 6—Vienna!! “…because you are both good walkers…”

Wien (Vienna) Austria

Today we have two blogs for you!  One from Theresa, and one from Bill, so you decide which you like better.  Sorry, a middle ground is NOT possible!!

Theresa:

We went to a museum!  Look at the pictures!  Then we went to a palace.  So pretty!

Bill:

We arrived in a new country—Austria!  For Bill, this makes the 67^th country in the world, 28^th in Europe.  Austria was once the seat of power for much of Europe.  The Hapsburgs ruled for over four centuries, and their empire, seated in Austria, stretched from Spain, and parts of France and Germany, to parts of Italy, to Hungary and beyond.  During all of this time, Vienna was their primary home, so huge amounts of money and buildings amassed, as well as art and culture.  Mozart and Beethoven and many others got their start when they were sent to Austria.    It was so huge, one of the Hapsburg Kings decided the Empire was much too large for one man to rule, so he put his son over Spain and his brother over the Austrian Empire.   But when they lost one of the Prussian Wars, the power began moving to Berlin.  And when an anarchist shot their heir apparent, they declared war for the last time.  After it was all over, their loss of WWI led to the dismantling of their Empire.  The Emperor, and King of Austria, was forced to relinquish all titles for him and his family. 

Vienna Opera House

First order of the day, we had a tour of the Art Museum.  This museum was built specifically by the Hapsburgs to house their own collection.  They had agents around the world gathering anything the family might like.  The museum itself was simply incredible!!

Oddly, our tour ended up with just the two of us, but they did not cancel it.  So, after a short bus ride/tour, we split from the walking tour group, and head off with our “personal” guide.  We made it clear that we were able to walk quickly, so suggested we keep the pace up.  Well, we got that wish!!  It was something of a jaunt for the next 90 minutes.  We toured the area around the museum, seeing the Parliament and assorted other buildings and monuments. 

The Two-Headed Eagle represents the Austrian 
Empire, and it "sees" in all directions.

The Spanish Riding horses are stabled here.

This represents the Austrian Navy, once
a powerful force.  It shows a ship coming
through the wall carrying Austria (the
female) fighting the monsters of the sea, 
Backed up by Neptune.

This represents the Austrian Army.  Various
enemies and monsters are crushed beneath.

The faces of Austria's adversaries.

One of the Emperor's brothers was over the military.

A beautiful example of the classic Greek "Doric" style.

Technically the Grand Duchess, Empress Marie Theresia ruled 
for decades in the late 1700s, and had 16 children.  This monument
shows her supporters in front, politicians to the one side, 
military behind her, and culture to the other side.

The Museum...

We arrived at the museum at 9:59, and skipped the line waiting for it to open at 10:00.  After a short drama getting tickets straightened out, we were off.  We had only an hour and this museum was very large, and packed with beautiful artifacts.  But our guide wanted to show us all of his favorite items, so run we did!  Several times, he said "Since you both are good walkers..." and would rush off to show us another spot!

Pictures will never do this place justice, and frankly the words it would take will bore even Theresa to stop reading.  So, I’ll put in a few nuggets and leave out most of it.  Consider, we did all of this in one hour!

Near the Entrance.

One of SO many painting galleries!

Marie Antoinette, the daughter of Maria Theresia.

The Cafe.  Nice ambiance!

A reconstructed Egyptian Tomb (top blocks are real)

I can't read this!

Strange to see "real" things like this!

Caesar

Numerous Roman busts.

A sarcophagus from the Roman era.

Amazing detail work in ivory.

A few Hapsburgs.

A "dish" made from and for serving coconuts (extremely rare in Europe at that time).

The entire artwork is made from stone and jewels.

Random ceiling.

"Machines" kind of like wind up toys, which were used to entertain guests are dinner.
They would set them on the table, and parts would move, they shot arrows, etc.

This one shot canon balls, and if you were the one it hit, you had to do something like dance or sing.

So many beautiful things!  So little time!

The woman represents Earth, and Neptune, the sea.  This sat between Henry VIII and the French King once.

One of several rooms we basically ran through stopping nowhere!

And another!

Schloss Schonbrunn

After the museum, we went back to the ship for a little break and lunch, and then back out to the Schloss Schonbrunn (Beautiful Spring Palace), named for the delightful spring nearby.  A few steps into it, I was reminded that pictures were not permitted (oops!).  The place was phenomenal!!  One room after another ornately apportioned with only the best materials, and the most exquisite décor.  I was floored!  Theresa was “meh” saying I should wait to see Neuschwanstein.  I guess we’ll see!!

From the gardens, through the waterfall.

After the tour, we had about 30 minutes to explore the “Gardens”.  Well, rumor has it that the best place to capture the palace is from the back of the garden, slightly up the hill, where there was a …portico? A fancy structure at any rate.  I hustled up there to get the shots I could.  I met up with Mike at the top, and he pointed out we could get on TOP of the structure, but we quickly found out it was 4.50 Euros, and there was a line, and we REALLY had to head back to the bus.  We almost ran down the hill in 5-6 minutes, and had plenty of time for the bus.

The gardens seem like a nice hangout spot for the locals.

At the top of the hill behind the gardens.

After the afternoon briefing, we sat with Mike and MaryAnne while they had dinner, and headed off to their concert for the evening.  We took the evening off, and had dinner in the restaurant.  Then Bill worked on this blog while Theresa picked out a few options for the next adventure.  She said she found one, but she hasn’t told me what it is yet!  But we should probably finish this one first!