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  • Imperial Summer Residence of Schloss Schonbrunn

    Imperial Summer Residence of Schloss Schonbrunn

    Not far from the city centre is Vienna’s most famous attraction – Schloss Schonbrunn. The grand showpiece of Habsburg legacy is often known as the Austrian version of Versailles with a similar awe-inspiring palace and the massive garden. Though interestingly, Schonbrunn which means ‘beautiful spring’, started out as a royal hunting ground. Before it was decided that a palace will be built and the magnitude was ‘go big or go home’. Hence, the grand palace has got 1,441 rooms, a mixture of large garden spaces and even its own zoo!

    Prior to the visit, I have gotten the tickets online and that saves me from joining the snaking queue in the early morning. Therefore, do remember to bring along the printed tickets and take note of your selected entry time – be punctual! We went to check out the gardens while waiting for our allocated entry time.

    The parterre behind the palace is nicely done up with very well-maintained grass lawn, swirling patterns and beautiful flowers. It looks to be a great place to laze around on one of the benches and chillax.

    Schloss Schonbrunn grand parterre

    Schloss Schonbrunn great parterre

    Statues around the parterre

    Around Schloss Schonbrunn garden

    Some highlights of Schonbrunner gardens are the Neptune’s Fountain and the Gloriette atop of Schonbrunn hill.

    Schonbrunn Neptune Fountain

    It takes a little more walking from the fountain to the Gloriette which was built as a war memorial and the centre portion is now being used as a café.

    Gloriette at Schonbrunn

    Gloriette on Schonbrunn Hill

    The side of Gloriette

    Gloriette statues

    The Gloriette offers some great surrounding view of Schloss Schonbrunn.

    Path leading to Gloriette

    Bird and warning sign
    I obey to no human rule!!

    View from the Gloriette

    Imperial Tour of Schloss Schonbrunn

    As mentioned that there are 1,441 rooms in total but only 40 rooms are open to the public. And that kinda makes sense because I seriously do not think any tourists will want to visit all of them anyway. So depending on the ticket, you can either go all 40 rooms with Grand Tour or choose to see 22 rooms with Imperial Tour.

    The balcony room of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The balcony room
    The Billiard Room of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The Billiard Room
    The Gobelin room of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The Gobelin room
    The great Gallery of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The great Gallery
    The mirrors room of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The mirrors room
    The rosa room of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The rosa room
    The vieux-Laque room of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The vieux-Laque room
    The yellow salon of Schloss Schonbrunn
    The yellow salon

    Nice looking chandelier

    Nice looking clock

    Seeing the incredibly ornate rooms and the magnificent interiors reminded me of Versailles, very comparable if you ask me. But for me, it is the sad love story of Empress Elisabeth and Emperor Franz Joseph which left a deeper impression.

    Empress Elisabeth of Austria

    The beautiful Empress Elisabeth or affectionately known as Sisi by the Austrians, married Emperor Franz Joseph when she was only 16 years old. She struggled with the strict royal court life and was constantly at odds with her mother-in-law. Sisi has no said around the palace and was not even allowed to look after her young children. Things got worse when her youngest daughter died of fever and her only son in a bizarre suicide. Deeply affected by the tragedies, Sisi withdrew from her all duties and travelled around but was assassinated and passed away in Geneva…

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  • The Imperial City of Vienna

    The Imperial City of Vienna

    From Munich, we arrived at the imperial city of Vienna and home to the former Habsburg Empire. The magnificent city is also known for waltz, classical music, operas, fine-art and wealth of architectural grandeur. A walk along the spotless clean streets of Vienna seems like a treat to the eyes with plenty of historic buildings and architecture. I suppose credit has to be given to the monarchy on how the city flaunts its heritage in the nicest way.

    While I am not sure whether if all OBB trains are new but they almost look better than their European counterparts. The high standards followed through to the clean and comfortable train cabins. And probably all the feel-good components are there for a pleasant ride. That’s great and please keep up the good work OBB!

    Obb train in Vienna

    Inside an Obb train

    Vienna West Train Station

    Stephansdom

    For most first-time visitors, the starting place would probably be the gothic St. Stephen’s Cathedral or Stephansdom Cathedral. It is also affectionately known as Steffl to the Viennese and located in the busy Stephansplatz area. One of its most prominent features would be the multi-coloured glazed tiled roof which really stands out. While it’s also where you will be approached by people selling concert tickets too. Just thank them and move along if you are not interested.

    Stephansdom Vienna

    Giant door of Stephansdom

    Upon entering the giant door reveal a grand and exquisite interior with beautifully tiled flooring.

    Stephansdom interior

    Stephansdom interior2

    Stephansdom interior3

    Stephansdom interior4

    Stephansdom interior5

    And so I decided to climb up the south tower for a better view of Vienna. Maybe also to see the colourful tiled roof up close and I was rewarded with views like this! After completing the 300 over steps to the top.

    View of Vienna from Stephansdom

    In addition, one side of the tiled roof displayed the coat of arms and the Republic of Austria.

    Stephansdom tiled roof with coat of arms

    Peterskirche

    We took a rather short walk from St. Stephen’s Cathedral to St. Peter’s Church (Peterskirche). It is tucked in a rather compact space of the crowded Petersplatz. Peterskirche is also one of the first domed churches in Vienna. It probably took some inspiration from Rome’s St Peter’s Basilica.

    Peterskirche in Vienna

    While the exterior is kinda nondescript, the interior is totally a different story. It’s amazingly beautiful inside! Furthermore, the ornate decoration and golden stucco are such nice combination.

    Interior of Peterskirche Vienna

    Interior of Peterskirche Vienna

    Interior of Peterskirche Vienna

    Interior of Peterskirche Vienna

    Dome of Peterskirche Vienna

    Around the City Centre

    At the very heart of the famous Graben Street is a Holy Trinity Plague Column (Pestsaule). It was erected as a Thanksgiving symbol for the end of the plague in the 17th century.

    Pestsaule at Graben Street

    Graben Street

    The walk around the city centre has continuously rewarded me with good looking architectural stuff. It’s also nice to note that the city centre area is rather walkable with plenty of attractions situated near to one another.

    And despite having such crowded streets, it still looks spotless with no sighting of unwanted trash, cigarette stubs or graffiti. It’s pretty much the same as the streets in Singapore, which are often termed as very clean by visitors. Though I’m not sure whether if Austria has the same kind of enforcing ‘fines’ we have in Singapore.

    Equitable Palais in Vienna
    Equitable Palais

    Nice statue in Vienna

    Nice building in Vienna

    Ankeruhr Clock
    Visit Ankeruhr Clock at noon to see all twelve figures being paraded
    Albertina Museum
    Albertina Museum
    Hofburg Complex
    Hofburg Complex

    Karlskirche

    The massive St. Charles’s Church (Karlskirche) is another fine example of a great Baroque church in Vienna. But the two additional huge columns would seem much more Rome than Baroque. Anyhow, it is slightly further away from the city centre and maybe less well-known when compared to Stephansdom. Emperor Charles VI commissioned the building of Karlskirche after the plague had subsided.

    Karlskirche Vienna

    The massive Karlskirche

    Karlskirche also has a very impressive interior similar to Peterskirche.

    Karlskirche interior

    Karlskirche altar

    There is a lift to reach the ceiling top. While its primary use was for cupola restoration. It is now being used as a tourist attraction. Not sure if it still there as I write, though. Because I was told that it is a temporary fixture and maybe remove subsequently.

    Lift to the top of Karlskirche

    Being at the top enables me to see all the frescoes arts up close. It’s so amazing!

    Karlskirche frescoes arts

    Karlskirche frescoes

    Dove, symbol of the Holy Spirit at Karlskirche

    Karlskirche windows

    STAY: InterCityHotel Vienna review

    InterCityHotel Vienna was chosen mainly due to its close proximity to Westbahnhof. And it’s a few stations away to Stephansplatz on the efficient U-Bahn. The clean room was quite modern and the stay was pleasant enough. Also, the front desk staffs we met were very friendly and helpful which is another plus.

    Room of InterCityHotel Vienna

    Toilet of InterCityHotel Vienna

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