18/6/24 Parliament , Volksgarten , Rathaus Platz

 

    Our last day in Vienna , so it will be an easy day - also 32 degrees today , another reason to take it easy . This is one of the statues outside the Parliament building 

    They do gold highlights very well over here - seems to be a theme for a long time .

     The Austrian Police usually have someone here all the time , with reinforcements called if necessary .

    Opposite Parliament is the Volkesgarten , not Volkswagon 😉 . The sign says there are over 400 different roses here on display , and it's well protected with substantial fencing .

    We entered via a middle gate to another manicured garden . 

    Each side of the central area has rows of roses , 3 rows of different heights and many are out flowering . They are all labelled with their botanic names and who donated them . Lyn's Grandmother would have been in heaven here . 

    There are rows of individual chairs beside the roses - most were empty , probably because they don't look very comfortable . There are 2 rows of larger trees bordering the roses , and made a nice cool place to sit in the shade .

    Off to one side is the Temple of Theseus , a building built for exhibitions of one artists work only .

    We were fortunate to be able to check this one out as well , here it is . The different colours are all from camel hides . Before we went any further , I said to Lyn , this is all about oil drums & camels - correct , it's about the rise of Saudi Arabia and the impact of camels and oil !! Some of this art culture might be sinking in 😆😂🤣

     The plaster on the ceiling has intricate patterns as well .

 There are other beds of roses , some just singular colours , other multicoloured .

    It is a large park , workers busily keeping gardens free of weeds and kept very tidy .

      Time for a walk towards Rathaus Platz - townhall & conventions centre . They were setting up for a film festival .

    The building looks great with the red & white flags and red flowering planter boxes on many levels .

    Walking up behind the big screen , we were able to check it out .

     Time for an apple strudel for an afternoon treat , we went to the Einstein Bar 

    This was inside , we chose to eat outside and watch the world go by for a while .

    Well that's it for Vienna , tomorrow we fly back to London to help Justin move house . Hope you've enjoyed our take on Vienna . After an initial start where we thought we were in way over our heads , well we were 😆, and probably still are , but it was an experience we don't want to swap . 

   Here's map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1hmfpl3yw3MiykFDeO-KL2HLgzacoYro&usp=sharing

17/6/24 Vienna Votivkirche , Cobenzyl , Kahlenburg & canal walk

 

     Another day , another tram ride into the city . The Votivkirche features again , here's a full view from about 100m away 

                                  An another to show the size of the doors .

    This must be one of very few brick buildings that haven't been rendered over . Truth be known , we've probably gone past it many times , but hadn't noticed .

     The Votivkirche again with it's ornate roof tiles and decorations - all gold tipped of course .

     Today we checked out the Hop On Hop Off bus again - we questioned the staff about not being able ton get off at Cobenzyl , and were told there isn't enough room up there at the moment - sorry but bullshit , there's plenty of room - buses pull up there every 10-15mins ! Would we recommend the Hop on Hop off bus service in Vienna - definitely not 🤬.

   However we got on the bus again and got off at Grinzing , waited for 2 mins and jumped on the local bus to the top and got off enjoying the views . 

    We walked back to the bus stop and looked at the map . I noticed a woman looking at us , she came over and we communicated - not well , but we learnt what she was saying . The next bus was to Kahlenburg , and the views were better . She gestured to us to get on the bus , so we did . Up the hill a bit further and we were at Kahlenburg - she gestured to get off the bus and walk that way , which we did . She stayed on the bus , so I blew her a kiss , she was wonderful 😘

   Walking down we found another small church with interesting iron bars on the windows - would have been like solving a rubies cube to get them in place I think !!

    This time , there's a lookout beside a cafe , views over the city and a much better view over the Danube River . Vineyards cover the surrounding hills up to where the native forest takes over .

    There's a hotel complex where you can stay overlooking the city .

    We got the bus back down to Grinzing , then caught a tram back to the city , where we went down to the canal again . I wanted to get some photos of the graffiti up close . The city doesn't mind the graffiti , it lets the artistic keep their passion going , and while they're doing it here they're not doing it to the other buildings etc . There's an overwhelming smell of aerosol paint in and along the underground arches and walkways beside the canal . I do admire them for being able to make something look good from a distance , but when up close your perspective suffers and I can't understand how they do it . Here's some of the better ones .

    This is the best use of old shopping trolleys I've seen - all planters , and have grape vines growing out of them .

     The old wise frog , must have been to the smoking cafe previously 😉

    A single plant growing in a crack in the canal wall also provides some art .

   And we love this building and it's adornment , 2 men , one breaking through the wall to the outside , whilst the other sits and watches .

    And that's our day , here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=144zkSRb_xiMFo9cLuodWhQuHuc9O5LE&usp=sharing

16/6/24 Belvedere Lower & Upper

    Another day in beautiful Vienna , we decide ti visit another palace - not sure if it's going to be as over the top as Schonbrunn is ??? Tram into town again , love the public transport here , it works really well !! This is the fountain in front of the memorial for Russian Soldiers .

     Some of the more colourful houses in Vienna .

     The Austrian Parliament building also gets a look in  .

     Another bus ride and we were at Belvedere Palace , the gates are certainly not modest , but not as overstated as Schonbrunn .

     We had our admission here as well included in the Vienna Pass . Backpacks aren't allowed inside , so we had to get a locker to put them in - the first one where we get our money back when we remove our bags !!

     Entering into the first room we decided it wasn't like Schonbrunn , but still out there . It has marble floors and door frames - so plenty of outlay to get that all done .

    The Asian inspired room with plenty of mirrors .

     Culture time , we visited the Horse Stables for an art exhibition - yes you read right - talk about fish out of water 😂😂🤣

    I had more interest in these gates .

     They had a lot of very early art from the castles .

     We viewed , then walked outside to the Privvy Garden for an interesting stroll around . This is more our speed !!

    What would have been a very bland wall , was covered in ivy , definitely making it more interesting . Many flowers are out blooming .

     Looking back to the stables at the back left .

     Give me a puddle of water and I can create something of interest to me 😉

     And again , most people avoid them , me however .

     This is Upper Belvedere and the walkway to it , plenty of people about to .

     The gardeners are artists in there own right .

     They have a fascination with women and large breasts , lions and angel wings . They feature regularly as we walk around .

    More pools , statues and fountains adorn the outdoor areas .

     This is what the Upper Belvedere looks like - but the whole front facade is covered and undergoing restoration . It means you can get a photo of what it looked like , and what it will look like again .

     Back to culture again , art exhibits on every floor , we were mainly there for the experience .

    Oh and the exercise , going up & down stairs 😆

    We did like the upper windows .

     Here's one from the famous Austrian Artist Gustav Klimt 

     This is a small chapel .

    We did like this one , it's a wood carving , and is so intricate - certainly some skills there . It's about 450mm high and made out of lime wood .

    There was also some more modern art .

    And this one we did like 

    Well , the verdict , we enjoyed this palace , still over the top though . They certainly would have had a lot of people employed as builders etc , then servants to carry on after the build .

    This is one of my favourite photo's of the palace - another day of culture complete !!

    Not sure it'll have a profound effect on us , but we enjoyed it none the less . Here's a map link :- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1GacppwkEg1YrU12I9v5fSNCg68iUYEU&usp=sharing