Vienna Things to Do Tips by Sharrie

Vienna is probably the most refined & classical city in Western Europe after Paris.
It's a city of music, a city of arts & a city of architecture.

This was my 2nd visit to Vienna after a lapse of more than 5 years. This time, I've a friend from VT living in this city. Someone whom I've enjoyed "chatting" over yahoo messenger & someone whom I was very eager to meet.

I told another VTer of my plan for a short getaway (4 days to be precise, same with the 1st visit) & she wanted to come along. So, off we went.

I was extremely lucky. :-)
I haven't been keeping in touch with Oliver (Socrates_07) recently & when told of our plan to visit his beautiful city, he came back with the most surprising news!
He was not working on those 4 days we were going to be in town!!!
Wow, that's great news for us!

On our arrival, Oliver was already waiting for us at the airport! As I said, I was extremely lucky. He was happy to pick us up from the airport!

After a brief stop at our hotel, Audrey was eager to explore the city. It's her 1st time.
So, off we went to the most obvious landmark for anyone who came to visit the city for the 1st time - St. Stephens Cathedral.

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Address: St.Stephens cathedral

STEPHANDOM is one of the most important churches in Vienna as well as its principal symbol. It is however, not my most favorite church in Vienna. The reason being... it is Gothic.

I'm not a fan of Gothic architecture. To me, they are kinda depressing & imposing.

Anyhow, Stephandom (also known as Stiffl to the locals) was recontructed a few times in its history. Many architects were involved & most were not remembered. Duke Rudolf IV was the founder.

St. Stephan's has been a cathedral since 1496 & the center of archdiocese from 1723.

One of the masterpieces of the cathedral is that of the pulpit (sculptured by Anton Pilgram - 1514). The high-relief busts of the Fathers of the Church are depicted with looks sunk in though, in ectastasy or in spirituality.

Anton Pilgram had also made his own representation twice in the cathedral. Once at the base of the organ loft & another at the base of the pulpit under the staircase.

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Address: St.Stephens cathedral

The Gothic simplicity of Stephansdom is varied by the numerous Baroque works of art. Over the generations, additions (sometimes, rather confusing) had been made in attempts to make the church as beautiful as ever.

It's akin to dressing up an individual with costumes & jewelleries from different times. Interesting at best but disastrous at times.
Perhaps that's why I could not relate to this particular church.

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Address: St.Stephens cathedral

There are a lot to look out for in Stephansdom, ie, if you are truly fascinated with this church. I wasn't.

Here's some of the key features:

1) Tobies Pock's 1647 baroque alterpiece.
This shows the martyrdom of St. Stephen.

2) Wiener Neustadrer Alter (1447) is in the north apse.
Central panel - Virgin & Child with SS. Cahterine & Barbara.
Above - Coronation of the Virgin
Doors - Stories from life of the Virgin.

3) Red Marble tomb of Friedrich III (1440-93) - south apse.
There are a total of 240 figures on this tomb which makes it one of the 2 largest bas-relief funeral monument in Austria.

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Address: St.Stephens cathedral

On its exterior, Stephansdom is highly decorated with somewhat peculiar figures... both of animals & humans & the dead. I think these rich symbolic decorations are possibly busts of the Apostles, grotesques & geometric reliefs & also representations from the Apocalypse. I can't be sure since I didn't have a professional guide with me on both trips.

It was however a very interesting & captivating experience to just walk around & circle the entire church compound. One discovers a lot upon close scrutiny.

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Address: St.Stephens cathedral

Just in the vicinity of St. Stephen's Cathedral is the vibrant & touristy area of Stock-im-Eisen-Platz & Haas Haus.

Here, it's the best place to people watch & to just imbue the atmospheric city of waltz. Perhaps you might even be approached by a count or a duke for an evening of waltz! ;-)

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Modern-day Strauss or Mozart? ;-)

It's fun, photogenic & free... just make sure u don't go too near :-)

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Hey, who are u trying to charm?
Yellow Rose... hm, I thought they are usually given when one wants to part!

Nah, this guy is gonna be around for awhile ;-)

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Oh well, something we came across.

Both Oliver & I like the movie Moulin Rouge. :-)
So here it is. Simply because it just is it. No other reason.

I also came across the Parisian Moulin Rouge while in Paris. Lionel (Guyon) was driving us around at that time & my camera ran out of battery! Can u believe that?! For that very reason, I've to fly back to Paris in the future! ;->

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When in Vienna, you have to look everywhere... right, left, up, down...

Almost every street & corner, there is something one can marvel at.

Take time, just relax, & enjoy...
U will see lots of work of arts & creativity of its people.

Generations of belief & cultural artifacts.
Witness the abundance, the refinement & the elegance of the Hapsburg Empire.

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