Vienna Things to Do Tips by BruceDunning

Belvedere Information Belvedere Review

This is the basic description of the Belvedere layout and what to see. There is an upper palace and lower garden retreat and orangerie, and in between is the gardens. Both buildings are great and hold a lot of treasures to view. They were completed around 1716 for the lower part and 1720-23 for the palace. It was sold in 1752 to Maria Teresa and then the palace was named Belvedere.

Address: the baroque castle of Prinz Eugen

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belvedere_(palace)

Hofburg Treasury-Schatzkammer Hofburg Review

A great side tour of this for 10 Euro. It took about 1 1/2 hours to see the jewels. There were crowns, robes, and many iconic symbols of Christianity. The jeweled Holy Cross was taken into battles fought, and there is also a crown from the Holy Roman Empire from 962. There are 20 rooms to view, all magnificent. The Austrian Emperor's Crown is from 1602. This is the oldest part of the imperial palace and from the 13th century. The more famed pieces are the crown of the Holy Roman Empire with 6 sides, and the Imperial Cross that was carried into all the battles where Vienna was involved.

Address: The winter palace of the emperor

St. Stephens church Stephansdom Review

One of the most famous in Europe with its colored roof. The inside is great and very elegant. The church was built as part of Hapsburg empire. The roof burned at one time and with donations by people for each tile, they reconstructed. It was first consecrated in 1147 and designed over the years to be a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles. Over the years additions brought it to the status of fame and magnificence. In 1305, the choir area was added. In 1368, and after 65 years, the tallest tower, at 445 feet was completed. The church is large at 131 width and 350 in length. It was built on where previous churches were located, and underneath there are catacombs that can be visited.

Address: St.Stephens cathedral

Opera House Oper - Staatsoper Review

Right in the middle of the Ring, this is one of the most famous. The building was completed in 1869. It still has many operas and the inside is worth a tour, or take in an opera. You can stand in the back for a smaller charge and only stay one hour. Mozart moved here to get away from the shun by the king in Salzburg he was getting and the money was being cutback so he could not sustain his livelihood. While in Vienna he composed many pieces of the total of 100 since he first started at age 9.

Address: Vienna's Opera

Hofburg Theatre Hofburg Review

Created in 1741, it was known as die Burg, as a slang for the theater of Hapsburgs. It was always known as Hofburg theater, though. In 1741 Maria Teresa gave up what was a dance parlor, and since 1888 it has been the theater house.

Karlschirche-The best Karlskirche - St Charles Church Review

Church of St. Charles Boromeo. Built at request of Emporer Karl VI in 1713 to honor is vows during the plague. It took 25 years to finish. The cupola is 210 feet tall, and columns are 150 feet. It ended up being over budget and therefore, the gilded gold inside and the detail is intricate. One of the most beautiful in Europe, it is Austrian Baroque designed by Johann von Erlach. The twop columns in front are representation of Borromeo, a saint.
It was built in 1713 by Charles VI edict to recognize the plague ending, and named after Charles Borromeo, healer of the plague.

Address: Vienna's famous baroque church

Government Pizzaz

This is one of the most detailed and intricate buildings with statues all over. It is on the Ringstrasse. This is today the Austrian Parliament building. It has numerous statues of Greek and Roman historians, and the main feature is the Goddess of wisdom, Pallas Athene. The architecture is Greek, with the large decorated pillars and sculpted figurines imbedded in to roof arches, as well as the statues surrounding the building. There are 76 marble statues and 66 reliefs. Construction is from 1874-84, and after WWII, half the building was destroyed. Some of the artwork is still under restoring. It has been the Parliament of Austria since 1918. The building is 450 feet long and 475 feet wide
You should take a slow walk to see the large statue in front, but also the scores of statues ringing the top.

Street architecture

There are so many things to see and observe along the way. Not only along Ringstrasse, but on the side streets. Architecture is great. The variety of building styles includes Romanesque in Hapsburg Palace, Gothic in the City Hall, Baroque in the Opera House, and Rennassaince in the State building

Hofburg Palace Hofburg Review

It has been the center of Hapsburg rule since 1279. It was a formal residence for 400 years. The Babenbergers constructed the original, but then Hapsburgs continued the expanse. A l;ot of the archtiecture is Baroque. They did it up in grandeur fashion and the last addition ws 1900. The wanted to create an "imperial forum" by having all features and pleasures in a compound. The Hapsburgs ruled until end of WWI in 1918, when it then became a state controlled monument. Elisabeth(Sissy) died in 1898 by an anarchist in Geneva, and Franz Josef continued on until 1915 when at age 68 he was gone.
Inside you can tour the treasury, the church, Sissie living rooms called apartments and aslo a museum of her wardbrobe and private living articles. Outside the palace corutyard is the butterfly house-Schmitterlinghaus, or Palm house, huge national library, and museums and stables, gardens, etc.

Address: The winter palace of the emperor

Schmetterlinghaus

Connected to the Hofburg complex, this is the second largest humidified structure in the world. It is for the butterflys, that fly around in leisure inside. Formally called Palm HOuse in Burggarten. The butterflys suck on the sweet of bananas and get into a type of drunk stupor. There is a waterfall, and old rotted log, and upper walkway to view the butterflys from various vantaqgepoints. They seem to enjoy it. It used to be the diversion for Franz Josef and Sissie Hapsburg. It is 3,000Sf and been open as a world famous art nouveau since 1998. The green skeleton roof shows very beautiful. Admission is 5.5 Euro for adults, and 4.5 Euro for seniors and students. Times are generally 10-5:45/6:15PM April-October. It is right next to the main palace and by the opera building.