Vienna, Austria: (13 pictures) – Day 18
Hofburg Palace - Although this palace is huge, there is a bigger
one in Vienna that I went to later in the day. The Hapsburgs, who
lived here during the winters, were the ruling family in Austria for almost
700 years. Today, the palace is home to a few important museums,
the Spanish Riding School, the Austrian president's office, and the Vienna
Boys Choir.
Lipizzaners Practicing - I was lucky to be able to buy a ticket
to see the lipizzaner horses practicing for their performances. This
is the famous Spanish Riding School, where the horses have been learning
to perfect their unique movements for 400 years.
10th Century Crown of the Holy Roman Emperor - I saw this
crown inside the treasury at the Hofburg Palace. It is considered
to be the best collection in Europe besides England's crown jewels.
This 1,000 year old crown is the highlight of the treasury.
Inside Schonbrunn Palace - This was the summer residence for
the Hapsburgs. It is larger than the Hofburg Palace in central Vienna,
and is the second grandest palace in all of Europe, behind only Versailles.
This is the Hall of Mirrors where Mozart used to play when he was a child.
Schonbrunn Palace Gardens - The Palace also has vast gardens
which I didn't venture into, but were beautiful enough to take a picture
of.
Outside Schonbrunn Palace - The Palace was a short subway ride
away from central Vienna. The big black thing in front of the palace
is actually a stage for a concert that was going on the day I was there.
St. Stephen’s Cathedral - This is the most famous church in
Vienna and a symbol of the city. Unfortunately I never went to the
top to get my aerial view of Vienna.
Outside the Opera House - This is the famous Opera House in
the city known for it's music. I wanted to actually watch an opera
here, but the night I was in Vienna they were holding a ballet instead.
The Ballet “Aschenbrodel” at the Opera House - Since they
weren't having an opera, I decided to go to the ballet instead. I
didn't know exactly what the ballet was about since I don't speak German,
but I remember it was something like Cinderella because I know there was
a silver shoe involved. That is the live orchestra near the bottom
of the picture.
Inside the Opera House - The Opera House was very beautiful
on the inside. My seat was near the top in the back, but I can't
complain because it was only $2 and it was actually just a standing room
only ticket. Once the ballet started I moved into an empty seat though
and never got caught.
Votiv Church - This was a pretty church I walked by at
night after I went to the ballet. Of course I wasn't able to go inside
though because it was closed.
Mozart Statue - Mozart was just one of Vienna's most famous
residents, among many other well known musicians including Beethoven,
Schubert, and Brahms.
Vienna Boys Choir Church – Since I was in Vienna on a Sunday
morning, and this would probably be the only Sunday morning in my life
that I would be in Vienna, I figured I should at least stop by the church
where the Vienna Boys Choir sings, and hear them for a few minutes.
Nobody is actually allowed to see them sing as they remain hidden during
the whole mass.
Continue on to Budapest, Hungary
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