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Published: June 24th 2015
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Visiting V
ienna is an immersion into elegance, refinement and the classical, especially if you enjoy their great music. Many of you who have visited will understand. We left our apartment and descended down the long escalator to the metro U1 that would take us to the centre of the city. Modern, clean and fast, we sped along, anxious to get our first glimpse of the heart of this legendary classical capital. After two flights of escalators we emerged and there, standing before us and the first structure we noticed - the imposing steeple of
St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Wow! What a welcome! It was simply spectacular! And that was just the outside. Upon entering, we were greeted by what I would consider to be
one of the most fabulously designed churches we have ever seen. And we have seen many, including St. Peter's in the Vatican. Built in 1187, it has defined Vienna for centuries. The gigantic roof and the tall lean tower(136.7 meters high) are
beyond just impressive. St. Stephen's is an obvious treasure trove of art history and architecture with literally thousands of details in its altars, portals, towers, columnar figures (these really impressed Jeanette and me) and
St. Stephen's
A mere picture fails to capture it's beauty. pictures with detail that was mind blowing. Three million visitors see this church every year but what really struck me is its continued use for worship with several services during the week and ten on a Sunday. In my view this is incredible seeing that many churches on the continent now serve mainly as museum pieces only.
The more we walked the city centre the more captivated we became, thoroughly soaking up the special ambience that is Vienna. Our pictures may take you on a journey through Vienna's artistic splendour but the feelings we experienced could never be expressed through a travel blog. Watching the modern generation rushing around the cafe-lined avenues, headphones connected to smart phones, makes one wonder if they really understood or appreciated what millions of visitors obviously did.
We were very happy with the public transportation system which we used extensively. We enjoyed their famed street food (even an almost foot long spicy bratwurst),
sitting on the sidewalk sipping red wine and chatting with visitors from Switzerland and other simple pleasures that made Vienna a unique pleasure. And to end it all -
a really special event, once again, all arranged by Jeanette. It was a
concert at the Schonbrunn Palace by the Schloss Schonbrunn Orchestra under the direction of David Scarr in the very ballroom that the royalty would have entertained in.
Understandably, no photographs or video were allowed during the performance and I successfully resisted the temptation to do so.The room was almost filled to capacity. Countless visitors sat in anticipation after been greeted by champagne and mimosa. Our seats were about six rows back from the stage.
What an evening it turned out to be as we were treated to a great program of
classical variety including opera and ballet. The opening violin solo set the mood for the evening with each piece receiving thunderous ovation.
Mozart's work dominated the program before intermission while naturally, the
second half belonged to Johann Strauss. Of course, what better place to listen and enjoy the well known and beloved
"Blue Danube Waltz", than in Vienna, especially with a greatly appreciative audience.
Jeanette and I get great pleasure in simply walking around this city and others, marveling at the never ending works of art, listening to its street musicians and trying street food. I am amazed at the musical talent that
I have seen on some of the streets in Europe, including Vienna. I was transfixed to one particular individual and his acoustic guitar. His rugged, aged face and long unkempt hair contradicted his immense talent as his lithe fingers displayed his virtuosity, rendering a tune of some complexity, nonetheless sweet to the ear.
Next day, Bratislava.
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Beverly Hill
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Vienna
Happy memories of a very beautiful city, so much to see. We spent 4 days and still didn't do it justice. Did you climb the tower in St. Stephens?