I love the way you can see the old city 5 story buildings of Vienna in the foreground, and then suddenly the massive 5 story buildings of the modern city shoot up in the background. It’s such a startling contrast!
Tag: <span>vienna</span>
St Peter’s Church is in the middle of Vienna’s old town. I went to visit because every day they put on a free organ recital, and when I went to visit I was delighted to hear Bach’s Toccata and Fugue, which is my favourite piece organ music.
The recital is usually at 3pm, but best to check the full programme on their website.
Get their early (or linger a little after), because the inside is magnificent, and you can easily spend an hour wondering around inside.
I hope I was allowed to make a recording, because here it is.
This church is in the middle of the Central Cemetery in Vienna. Its really quiet, not many tourists visit graveyards, but I find them really interesting. In particular I was there to visit Beethoven. But I’m really glad I popped into the church. In German it is called “Katholische Dr.-Karl-Lueger-Gedächtniskirche”, which means the “Karl Lueger Memorial Catholic Church”. Karl Lueger is a somewhat controversial figure, in that he is credited with transforming Vienna into a modern city, but he was a strong Antisemitic, to the point that Hitler credited him as an inspiration for his own Jewish views. I am somewhat baffled to see that this church would be named after him – it is a very sensitive topic in Vienna.
The dome is surprisingly modern, just a simple pattern. No biblical scenes like you see all over the other churches in Vienna. Incidently this is the second dome, the first was destroyed in World War 2.
A view from outside.
The final resting places of Johann Strauss I (dad), Johann Strauss II (son), and Josef Strauss (other son). All three were musicians and composers.
Johan I – dad
Johann II – he wrote what is probably the most famous waltz in the world, The Blue Danube
Josef
The statue of Archduke Charles looks over the Heldenplatz (Hero’s Square), next to the Hofburg Palace in Vienna. Built in 1860, it glorifies the Habsburg dynasty. Charles was the leader of the Austrian army, and in the early 1800s fought against Napoleon.
One thing we noticed at the festival is how proud the locals are of the heritage. Many people were dressed in traditional lederhosen, and they were not people in one of the events, they were just regular visitors to the festival. I think its great. We need to be proud of both our culture and our heritage.
We were lucky to be in Vienna during the annual harvest festival – a big celebration of local food and culture. The best part is that it was largely attended by Viennese locals, and we were one of the few tourists there.
The beer hall (of course there was a beer hall) had traditional singing and dancing throughout the day – although I find the Viennese folk dancing very different from the waltz for which the city is so famous. Most of the dances seem to require you to either stamp your feed, slap your knees, or slap your partner. But it was entertaining to watch.
Slap your knees
Dancing with your partner
The musician
Inside the beerhall
If you like fun fairs, then Riesenrad is the place for you. I have already posted some pics of the old ferris wheel, but there are plenty of activities for the more adventurous.
There used to be a children’s swing at the local fair that came to my local park in Cape Town from time to time, and I loved riding on it. This swing is about 4 times as big as the one I used to ride on, and I am not quite sure if that boy is very happy about it.
Entrance to the house of horrors – although I kind of like those trolls – they look to me like they could have stepped off the Discworld.
This contraption (no it’s not made of Meccano) flings you into the air and then throws you back to the ground. Why? I have no idea!
All, food!
(Wild-west) food
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