Palaces of Vienna

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Today was SUMMER palace day...Schonbrunn and Belvedere. Just like Versailles, the Schonbrunn began as a hunting lodge in the 17th century. In the 18th century, Empress Maria Theresa mainly influenced the building activities of what we see today.

The Belvedere was the summer palace of Prince Eugene of Savoy. Today the Belvedere houses the Austrian art from the Middle Ages to the present day...including Klimt's 'The Kiss'.

Our day ended with a walk through Stadpark, and dinner/concert at the Kursalon

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Photos

Schonbrunn Palace
Front entrance to the Schonbrunn Palace

Schonbrunn - artwork (heater)
Mary getting clubbed by Hercules

Schonbrunn - Gloriette
Far end of the palace garden. It commemorates the Austrian victory at the battle of Kolin during the Seven Year War.

Schonbrunn - Neptune Fountain
Close-up of the sea-god Neptune and his entourage

Schonbrunn - view
View from Neptune Fountain of the Palace

Schonbrunn - Maze
Can you see Mary? Nancy is on the viewing tower giving her the wrong directions!

Schonbrunn - garden
Sculptures line the garden path

Schonbrunn - garden
Mom thought this one was romantic...until Mary told her there were THREE people in it! (one is hidden under the dress!)

Schonbrunn - lunch
We have decided to eat our way across Vienna and the Swiss Alps

Belvedere Palace
Built in the 17th century in the rural outskirts of Vienna. Today the city encircles it

Belvedere - Klimt
Unlike the Louvre, we could not take pictures inside the museum. The Belvedere houses the world's largest collection of oil paintings by Gustav Klimt.

Stadtpark - Johann Strauss monument
The Stadtpark was Vienna's first public park (opened in 1862). The Strauss monument is one of the world's most photographed monuments. Strauss Senior was honored with developing the Waltz but Strauss Jr ensured the musical form stood the test of time (he penned the famous waltz classics - The Blue Danube).

Kursalon
One of the many venues where Strauss performed and where today we enjoyed a concert as well.

Kursalon - concert
The very room where Strauss himself directed his orchestra from the position of first violin. Notice the festive ceiling and dazzling chandeliers.

Kursalon - concert
Besides the orchestra, we were also entertained by opera singers and couples doing the waltz