We were greeted on the bus by another guide who would be taking us through the Palace and, later, our walking tour of the old Vienna.
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| REAR OF PALACE |
Our tour group was allowed inside first where no photography was allowed to protect the delicate artworks. Our guide took us through the fourteen rooms opened for viewing.
This palace was another demonstration of how the other half lived.
At the time of our visit, they were in the middle of repairing part of the State Gallery where court banquets were held but it was still magnificent. At the moment, there is a ceiling painting called "The Homage of Allegiance of the Austrian Lands" which was not restored but just cleaned of the candle muck collected from the candle chandeliers used back in the day. The banquet tables were set for up to 100 people when special occasions were happening but, at present, the room is empty.
Brief history: the Palace was originally commissioned in the 17th century by Leopold I but he died before it was completed. It was then Habsburg Empress Maria Theresia who completed its construction. As she had 16 children (11 girls and 5 boys), she needed the more than 1000 rooms! Out of the 16 children, only 11 survived, mostly girls. The youngest child was the famous Marie Antoinette, Queen of France.
Empress Theresia is known in Austria as "The Mother of Austria" and as "The Mother-in-Law of Europe" as her daughters married into the royal families throughout Europe.
The Palace was only their summer residence. The word "Schonbrunn" means Beautiful Fountain - Schon = beautiful, Brunn = fountain - and was named this when the family found a fresh water spring at the foot of the garden where the fountain now sits.
After our tour, it was our free-time section where most of us went out to the huge gardens. The front courtyard is used by Andre Rieu for his concerts in Austria once a year (he even took a copy of it in his last tour of Australia). The back gardens are used every summer for the Philharmonic's Summer concert series.
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| NEPTUNE'S FOUNTAIN |
At 10:15am it was time to get on the bus again. Off to our walking tour of Vienna.
The old section is quite beautiful with, again, its cobblestone streets and ornate buildings. It was 10:30am and it was still stinking hot.
Our first stop - Johann Strauss Junior's apartment. On display there is his harpsicord and his piano on which he did his writing. There is also his death mask. It was a very quick 10 minute visit as the apartment is very small.
It was then back on the bus time again and we were driven close to the city centre - buses are not allowed to enter as the streets are too small. Our tour continued through some of the streets, and we ended up at Joseph's Square where the city's library is. As some of the books in this library are fairly old, you are not allowed to borrow books and take them home - you have to read them in the library. When you choose a book you want to have a look at, a person comes to you with white gloves on and will turn the pages for you to help preserve the books. That's how old the books apparently are.
A few steps away was the Spanish Riding School and the stables. As it was Sunday, the horses were performing but we got to see some of the horses being taken from the stables, across the road to the arena where they perform. Beautiful white horses with their bright red saddles.
Our next stop - St Michael's Square. The Hofburg - St Michael's Wing was built 1890-93. Four Hercules statues stand on either side of the main gate. At present, the gate is under restoration, as is most of the older buildings around the old part of Vienna.
We then made our way to St Stephan's Cathedral and, as it was Sunday, a mass was underway so we were not allowed to enter until the mass was over. Again, this building was under restoration. This was the point where our guided tour ended and our free time started.
As I forgot to take a map with me, I asked someone if I could tag along so I woudln't get lost. Jo and Paul volunteered so off we went trying to find something good to photograph - Paul is a keen photographer too.
We didn't think there was a point because all the buildings we wanted to photograph had scaffolding around them for restoration. We decided to get a sandwich, sit under the trees beside the river and stay away from the heat. It seeed that we weren't the only ones that thought of doing this. When we arrived at our designated little tree area, we found some of the others siting there eating their lunch. It was then 1:30pm and the bus was going to pick us up at 2pm. I had a relaxing time just sitting in the shade chatting with everyone.
Then it was on the bus and off back to the hotel. We didn't have to leave for dinner until 6pm so I sat down and typed up this blog.
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| Dolls hanging from the ceiling |
Our dinner trip was to an old country inn called Marchfelderhof on the outskirts of the Vienna Woods. This inn was used by the Emperor Franz Josef when hunting in the area. It also saw the presence of Napoleon in 1809. There is so much history within its walls. There are walls and walls full of photos from the rich and famous who have visited the Inn- Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor to name just two.
There is something to look at on the walls and ceiling - violins, bird cages, woodwind instruments, dolls, etc., hanging from the ceilings. Guitars, deer heads, photos, paintings, tapestries, etc., hanging on the walls. There was so much to photograph. There were also three roving musicians - two guitarists and one violinist. Very different from teh night before - much classier and better music playing!
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| Brass instruments hanging from the ceiling |
And of course there was the food. Our meal consisted from: a great big serving of fresh salad with croutons and a delicious tunafish dressing (we had to twist the chef's arm to give us teh recipe. Even then, he wouldn't give us the quantities).
Then, we had a choice of 8 different dishes. I chose the Weiner Schnitzel with parsley roasted potatoes. I was expecting 1 piece of Schnitzel and a few potatoes. What I got was three pieces of fairly large Schnitzel and more than a bowlful of potatoes! Enough food to feed a family of three!! It was delicious but I couldn't eat it all.
Then, it was time for dessert - Curdcream & nougat mousse with marinated woodberry sauce. Yuuuuuumy!!!
I gained about 2 kgs in just one sitting!! Great food, great company, great evening out.
Then, back to the hotel.
Tomorrow is an early start to beat the peak hour traffic of Vienna to continue our tour towards Venice.
