Vienna is the capital of Austria, and with about one and three-quarter million people, its largest city. Celts (not from Boston) first settled there approximately 2,500 years ago, then Romans some 500 years after. In time, Vienna became home to the rulers of the Habsburg dynasty, the de facto capital of the Holy Roman Empire and capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, among other entities. It is renowned about the globe for its musical and other artistic contributions to the world. Then I showed up.
First-class train travel is the way to go! I didn't have a choice but to purchase it when I bought my rail pass, but I'm glad I did. 4 hours passed by very quickly and comfortably on the way in from Munich. I picked up some more euros, got my bearings and took a tram to my hostel, and it was a very nice one. I crashed and woke up to the day before Christmas. The city was pretty dead, and I chose to walk the Ringstrasse. It is a 5km circular road surrounding the inner core of the city, something like a beltway, but it has a unique story. The Ringstrasse was constructed to replace city walls erected during the 13th century. It is a boulevard, and it was built for show, but there was a practical element to it, too. Napoleon III of France had shown that wide streets couldn't be effectively barricaded by revolutionaries. The things you learn...
As I mentioned, the Ringstrasse was a vanity project. The idea was to demonstrate the glory of the Habsburg Empire. For better or worse, they succeeded, big time! The following photos are of some of the principal structures along the way:
the Vienna State Opera:
First-class train travel is the way to go! I didn't have a choice but to purchase it when I bought my rail pass, but I'm glad I did. 4 hours passed by very quickly and comfortably on the way in from Munich. I picked up some more euros, got my bearings and took a tram to my hostel, and it was a very nice one. I crashed and woke up to the day before Christmas. The city was pretty dead, and I chose to walk the Ringstrasse. It is a 5km circular road surrounding the inner core of the city, something like a beltway, but it has a unique story. The Ringstrasse was constructed to replace city walls erected during the 13th century. It is a boulevard, and it was built for show, but there was a practical element to it, too. Napoleon III of France had shown that wide streets couldn't be effectively barricaded by revolutionaries. The things you learn...
As I mentioned, the Ringstrasse was a vanity project. The idea was to demonstrate the glory of the Habsburg Empire. For better or worse, they succeeded, big time! The following photos are of some of the principal structures along the way:
the Vienna State Opera:
Academy of Fine Arts (twice rejected Hitler):
Parliament:
Rathaus (Town Hall):
Burgtheater (Austrian National Theater):
University of Vienna (founded 1365):
Votivkirche (Votive Church):
Weiner Borse (Stock Exchange):
Urania (Observatory):
Österreichische Postsparkasse (Postal Savings Bank):
There are other palaces and wonderful green spaces. The city is gorgeous! Next stop: I go to "Czech" out Prague (insert rim shot) - I'll be here all week, folks!
Absolutely beautiful city,keep the pictures coming jack and enjoy your travels.
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