Vienna, Austria

Vienna State Opera House - Greg recognized this from Mission Impossible

Art Gallery

The memorial against war and fascism is a work by the Austrian sculptor Alfred Hrolicka. The intent was for remembrance of the Holocaust

Statue of Emperor Joseph II

Josefsplatz - Vienna State Hall

Spanish Riding School - we were lucky enough to see the majestic Lipizzan horses!

A monument to the Black Death plague in 1679 it took 15% of population in 3 months

St Stephens Catheral established 1137

Maria-Theresien-Platz - 1888

The Soviet War Memorial or Heroes' Monument of the Red Army unveiled in 1945. Built to commemorate the 17,000 Red Army soldiers killed in action during WWII.

Schönbrunn Palace - they had a different room for everything…bedrooms, dining room, breakfast room, dressing room, hunting room, etc.

Painted by the Italian artist Gregorio Guglielmi

Enthroned at the center of the middle fresco are Maria Theresa as ruler of the Habsburg Monarchy and her husband Franz Stephan as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. They are surrounded by the personified virtues of a ruler, including justice, clemency and munificence. A modern element is introduced by the genre-like representations of the Habsburg Crown Lands and their products which allude to the program of reforms initiated by Maria Theresa in the field of administration and the economy.

Gloriette - in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace

Vienna’s Ferris Wheel - The Wiener Riesenrad, over 200 ft tall. Built in 1897, was the tallest Ferris wheel until 1985.

 

Göttweig Abbey

 Göttweig Abbey is a Benedictine monastery near Kermis in Lower Austria. It was founded in 1083 by Altmann, Bishop of Passau. Today it is supported by 30 monks.

Panoramic view of Benedictine parish.

The crypt contains parts of one of its predecessors. It also houses the shrine of Bishop Altmann of Passau, thought to have been the abbey's founder.

Very shallow stairs so not to show the ladies ankles when they glided up the stairs.

Ceiling fresco painted by Paul Troger in 1739. It took him 45 days over 92 days to paint the fresco. He painted it alone.

The imperial rooms in Göttweig Abbey are decorated with colorful linen wallpapers. Each room in the imperial wing is decorated in different colors and motifs. The creators of these unique wall coverings were experts in illusionist painting.

The basic equipment of the apartments is almost uniform. This suggests a joint planning and implementation of the interior.

The floors are made of walnut and decorated with inlay work. The colorfully painted wallpapers form a flowing transition to the stucco decorated ceilings.