Anchoring Stephansplatz, the gothic Stephansdom cathedral with its elaborate tiled roof and soaring bell tower was one of the most memorable sites in the city, and the interior was almost as beautiful. Nevertheless, the tour of the baroque Hofburg Palace downtown was fascinating, and I enjoyed the opulent rooms and the variety of art and artifacts on display. This is the season for balls in Vienna, but when I visited the city with my siblings in the fall of 2003, we were off-season.
When traveling by train in central Europe, it's hard not to transit through Vienna, and the city is well worth a visit for the architecture and culture. It makes an interesting contrast to contemporary Art Nouveau and Secession buildings in Vienna. According to Adolf Loos "ornament is a crime". This building was criticized to be ornament- and taste-less, but it is an important landmark of modern architecture. On the left from the church there is the Looshaus with plain upper facade, designed by Adolf Loos in 1911. Michael with sober facade but nice 13th century-gothic interior, and gothic style is readable also on the spire. On the opposite site, there is one of my favorite churches in Vienna: St. the baroque parts of Hofburg with fountains are the eye-catchers. PHOTO - Michaelerplatz as the case study of time-layering: the archeological findings of Roman Vindobona is presented in the middle of the square. In contrast to Prague and Budapest, Vienna time-layering was not spoiled by tasteless Communism. Do not miss also nearby non-inscribed parts of Vienna: Nashhmarkt and Hundertwasserhaus. All this is completed by parks and gardens, the Belvedere castle, and magnificent baroque Karlskirche. The 19/20th layer is represented by grandiose Secession. Then we have Graben, and baroque appearance of Hofburg, which also has gothic and renaissance layers inside, followed by great 19th Century Ring with Opera, Museums, Parliament, Municipal Hall. Stephen cathedral, which however has the early gothic westwerk - and it is always a feast for me to distinguish the diverse stages of gothic style. The late gothic layer is represented by St. The center is like an onion: winding medieval streets with fragments of early gothic tower houses and hidden jewels like gothic church St. However, the 4th dimension (time) is perfectly and uniquely readable in Vienna. Many (but not all) do.Vienna is my most frequently visited WHS outside Czechia.Īctually, I like more Prague or Budapest, since Vienna lacks the 3rd dimension, - the city core is pretty flat, and also a big river does not contribute too much to the inscribed part in contrast to spectacular 3D centers of Prague and Budapest intersected by a river. The exception to the rule is “Mariä Empfängnis” (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) on December 8th, when retail businesses have the option to stay open. And we have more than you might expect in Vienna. Watch for public holidaysįinally, I mention this earlier, but it’s worth repeating: most stores will close for public holidays. Not sure what the rule is, but it’s rather nice to pick up fresh rolls, croissants and (if we’re throwing caution to the wind) chocolate muffins for a late Sunday breakfast.
These are often supplied (and branded) by one of the supermarket chains, and open much longer than their high street cousins. Tip 2: Most petrol/gas stations now feature a small store selling food essentials and more.Outside of normal shopping hours, be prepared to fight your way through the crowds of shoppers who forgot to buy bread earlier. have a special status, so may stay open on Sundays and operate longer on other days.įor example, at the time of writing, the Billa minimarket at the Westbahnhof station opens from 5.30am to 11pm.Īn eagle-eyed reader has also spotted some supermarkets near such stations or in popular tourism areas opening on Sundays, too, though they may have a reduced range to meet whatever exceptions to the law allow them to open up. Tip 1: Small food stores located in train stations, bus stations, airports etc.(Try the train stations for extended food store opening hours)
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