The third station of our travel to Central Europe was Vienna (Wien), the capital of Austria. Time is 1 hour back from Turkey in Austria. Going to Vienna from Bratislava takes about 1 hour by train. Currency is Euro (EUR). 1 Euro was equal to approximately 2.5 Turkish Liras. Turkish citizens who have regular passports need a Schengen visa to enter Austria.
Our Vienna route:
1. day – 26.07.2011
We started to our Vienna tour with Belvedere Palace which was the nearest place to the railway station (Wien südbahnhof (ostbahn)) in our list. It was built in baroque style and have a large garden. We didn’t visit inside of the palace to be able to visit more places in Vienna. The palace is used as an art gallery, “The Kiss” painting by Gustav Klimt is also exhibited here.
We saw Polish Church (Polnische Kirche) when we got out of palace’s garden.
After taking photos of this church, we went to St. Charles’s Church (Karlskirche) passing through Schwarzenberg Square (Schwarzenbergplatz). Heroes’ Monument of the Red Army (Denkmal der Roten Armee) takes place in Schwarzenberg Square which was built by the Soviet Union in memory of 17000 soldiers who died in World War II.
“The Morning Line” named structure was also had taken place in this square, which we saw before in Eminönü Square exhibited for Istanbul 2010 European Capital of Culture . There had been about 40 speakers in this structure which designed by Matthew Ritchie. It was a different structure by not only the appearance but also its different musics spreading from speakers.
St. Charles’s Church built in baroque style, after 9000 people’s dying because of plague epidemic in 1713, by Charles VI in the name of St. Charles Borromeo who is known about his efforts about curing plague patients.
After then, we went to Vienna State Opera (Wiener Staatsoper).
Than, we went to Maria Theresa Square (Maria Theresien Platz). There were Museum of Art History (Kunsthistorisches Museum) and Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisches Museum) facing each other in this square which were two beautiful buildings of Vienna. We didn’t visit inside of museums again, even their outside were great. The museums were so huge, I think it takes 1 day to visit inside of each.
After seeing museums, we went to Austrian Parliament (Österreichisches Parlament) and took photos. And then, we arrived at City Hall (Rathaus) near Parliament.
City Hall is built in neo-gothic style. There were preparations for the film festival here.
We took photos of Burg Theatre (Burgtheater) from here. And then, we passed through Vienna University and saw Votive Church (Votiv Kirche) which was an important church in Vienna built in neo-gothic style.
Then, we saw Scottish Church (Schottenkirche), Church at Am Hof Square (Kirche am Hof), Maria am Gestade and we arrived at Hoher Markt Square.
There were Wedding Fountain (Hoher Markt Vermählungsbrunnen) and Anker Clock (Anker Uhr) in this square.
Anker Clock forms a bridge between the two parts of the Anker Insurance Company’s building. Every hour a different historical figure moves across the clock. The number on the figure shows the hour and the arrow on this number shows the minute.
After then, we saw Gutenberg Monument in Lichtensteg Street, St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche), Plague Column (Pestsäule) and Equitable Palace (Palais Equitable) and we arrived at St. Stephen’s Cathedral (Stephansdom) which became a symbol of Vienna.
Plague Column built after plague epidemic in 1679 had ended.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral is a place you shouldn’t miss if you visit Vienna. It built in gothic style and has a colorful roof.
After then, we saw Franciscan Church (Franziskaner Kirche) and went to City Park (Stadtpark).
There was Kursalon in City Park which is used for balls, concerts and congresses. There was also a cafe-restaurant inside it.
There are a lot of monument in City Park e.g. Anton Bruckner, Johann Strauss II, Franz Schubert, Franz Lehár, Robert Stolz, Hans Makart. We also took photos of Johann Strauss Monument (Johann Strauss Denkmal) and went to railway station for returning to.
We saw Vienna Concert House (Wiener Konzert Haus) when returning.
2. day – 27.07.2011
We planned to see famous Schönbrunn Palace (Schloss Schönbrunn) of Vienna today. You can arrive at palace by U4 subway line. Ticket was 1.8 Euros. It is rumored Emperor Matthias was out hunting and discovered a “beautiful fountain (schöner brunnen)” and palace took its name from it. The palace is known as “Versailles of Vienna” which has a so huge, beautiful garden, it took 1 hour even trip in the garden.
When you go ahead in the garden, you will see Neptün Fountain (Neptunbrunnen).
There was Gloriette at the end of the garden. It has a cafe and viewing terrace.
After having tour in the palace garden, we went to railway station for returning to Bratislava. We went to Naschmarkt passing in front of Secession when returning.
Naschmarkt is a famous market where fresh fruits and vegetables are sold. We bought pink dragon fruits (pitaya) and papaya here and went to the railway station.
