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Museum of Natural History

4/30/2015

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  The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (Museum of Natural History) was founded in 1846 from the collection of Prince Charles Alexander of Lorraine. This museum is home to the largest exhibition of dinosaur skeletons in Europe, with the most important items being 30 fossilized Iguanodons (from the mid-Jurassic period) discovered during an 1878 coal mining operation in Bernissant, Belgium. Reportedly, there are over 30 million artifacts belonging to the museum, but not all are exhibited at the same time. The interactive nature of almost all the exhibits makes this a wonderful place for children (of all ages) to visit.

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This whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling greets visitors to the museum.
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The butterfly exhibit is exquisitely presented.
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A bald Cyprus tree stump from 65 million years ago.
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Part of the Dautzenberg shell collection.
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One of the best preserved crocodile fossils.
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The star of the museum, the Iguanodon skeleton.
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Thirty Iguanodon skeletons were unearthed during an 1878 coal mining operation in Bernissant, Belgium. This exhibit depicts how the skeletal remains were positioned 332 meters down in the mine.
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When scientists find skeletal remains, they usually are scattered about. Trying to put them into their proper places is like trying to solve a Puzzle.
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European Commission and Paliament

4/29/2015

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  As stated in yesterday's posting, our apartment is just up the street from the European Commission and Parliament buildings. Being that close to such important structures meant we just had to visit them. First stop was the "Parlamentarium", Europe's largest parliamentary visitor center. This free museum-like visitor center depicts the history of Europe up through World War II and the subsequent creation of the European Union. Meet the members of the European Parliament by way of video messages; explore each EU member state through an interactive virtual tour; among other attractions. Once done, we went across the street where we experienced a half-hour tour of the European Parliament.

  The 28 EU member states, each of them independent and sovereign entities, pooled some of their decision-making authority to shared institutions; the European Commission, European Parliament, and the European Council.

The European Commission is the executive arm, representing the interests of the EU as a whole, proposing new laws and policy agreements.

The European Parliament represents each of the 500 million citizens of the EU. The 751 members from the 28 member states, are directly elected by the citizens for a five year term. While the official seat of the European Parliament is in Strasbourg France, there are two other meeting places ; Brussels and Luxembourg. Meetings of the whole parliament (Plenary Sessions) are held twelve times per year in Strasbourg.

  The European Council is made up of the heads of state (or government) of each EU member state. The Council meets four times per year to define general policies and to direct priorities for the EU. However, this body does not exercise any legislative functions.

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The Parlamentarium visitor center.
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Model of the EU Commission and Parliament complex.
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The Hall of Flags at the entrance to the EU Parliament building.
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Effects or WWI on Europe.
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Mussolini during World War II.
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Signing the EU creation charter.
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Interactive map of Europe. Visitors move the podiums over the map and can receive information about each of the 28 RU member states.
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"Tree of Life" sculpture by Oliver Strebelle.
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EU Parliament chamber where the 751 members meet.
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Brussels

4/28/2015

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  Greetings from Brussels. Following a delightful and engaging month in Vienna, we have moved on to the capital of Belgium. Over the next days and weeks, we will be exploring the sights and sounds of this city in the northwestern part of Europe. Our cozy apartment is located just down the street from the Parliament building of Belgium along with the European Commission building ( which is somewhat similar to the United Nations building in New York). We look forward to sharing our experiences here with all of our followers.

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The ground floor of this cozy split-level apartment. The dining table is on the left. A sleep sofa and satellite t.v. cabinet is straight ahead. In the center is the spiral staircase leading to the upper level sleeping quarters.
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The kitchenette is opposite the dining table and next to the spiral staircase.
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The bathroom is on the ground floor level next to the sleep sofa and satellite t.v.
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The upper level contains the sleeping area...
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And a sitting, workspace, area.
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Austrian Parliament

4/25/2015

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Built between 1874 and 1884, this building was originally constructed to be the seat of the Imperial Parliament which governed the Austrian part of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. Theophil Hansen, the main architect, designed this Greek Revival structure in tribute to the philosophy that Ancient Greece had been "...the cradle of democracy." Over the years, this building has been home to several different types of parliamentary bodies.

Today, the current Parliament is comprised of the lower house, called the "Abgeordnetenhaus", or House of Representatives, and the upper house, called the "Herrenhaus", or House of Lords (equivalent to our Senate). The lower house, officially known as the National Council, comprises 183 members elected directly by the Austrian people in a general election. The National Council (the upper house) is made up of 62 members elected by the parliaments of the nine Austrian districts and represent the interests of each of those districts. Both houses occasionally meet together in the form of the Federal Assembly mostly for ceremonial purposes, such as the inauguration of the Federal President.

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The Greek Revival style Austrian Parliament building.
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The Pallas Athena statue and fountain in front of the building. Constructed between 1893 and 1902, it depicts Athena, the goddess of wisdom, holding Nike, the goddess of victory. Around the base are allegorical representations of the four main rivers in Austria - the Danube, the Inn, the Elbe, and the Vitova.
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Along the wall of the central stairwell is this similar statue of Athena in a slightly different pose.
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The Great Hall is a favorite place for politicians to gather and to give media interviews.
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The National Council chamber where the 183 members of the House of Representatives meet. Legend has it that when one party or another disliked the current debate going on they would disrupt it with a filibuster of musical instruments.
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The 62 member Federal Council Chamber for the governance of the nine federal districts. The Coats of Arms for each district can be seen just above the Podium.
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Both houses of Parliament would occasionally meet here in the Federal Assembly chamber for ceremonial purposes, such as the inauguration of the Federal President.
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During a Federal Assembly, members would open and close these chalk boards quickly to create a clapping sound.
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Legend also has it that if the members of the Federal Assembly did not like what the speaker was saying, they would take their inkwells out and throw them towards the speaker. This created the nickname of "the Parliament of Ink."
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Church of Maria Treu

4/24/2015

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   In a part of Vienna that is not usually visited by tourists, is a little plaza containing the Piaristenkirche (Piarist Church), also known as the Church of Maria Treu. While the Order of Piarist monks commissioned the groundbreaking in 1698, financial problems prevented the completion of the church until 1753. By 1949, the Church of Maria Treu was raised in rank to that of a minor basilica.

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The Piarist Church of Maria Treu.
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While not the tallest in Vienna, the distinctive twin towers can still be seen from most of Vienna.
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The baroque main altar.
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There are eight side altar/chapels all designed by Franz Anton Maulbertsch (1752-1753).
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Legend has it that Anton Bruchner and Franz Liszt played this organ. Commissioned by the Piarist monks, Haydn's "Missa in Tempore Belli" (Mass in Time of War), also known as the Kettledrum Mass, was first performed here.
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One of the ceiling frescos found in the church.
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Past to Present

4/23/2015

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In the course of just a few hours while walking around Vienna, it seemed like we miraculously traveled from the 17th century up to the 21st. As we passed through the Hofbug Palace grounds, the Lippizzaners were being led out of their stables over to the Spanish Riding School for their daily practice session. These magnificent looking horses are the same breed that the Hapsburgs rode 400 years ago.

Later in the day, while exiting the Vienna City Hall, we encountered a large crowd gathered around a fenced-in area with tents set up inside. Red Bull, the famous Austrian energy drink was sponsoring a visit of its Infinity Formula One racing car. Costing between 50-100 million dollars to construct, this vehicle can generate over 1000 horse power.

This truly was a journey from the past to the present.

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The Lippizzaners being led from the stables.
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Eleven horses were brought over to the Spanish Riding School for their daily practice session.
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The eleven hundred horsepower Infinity Formula One racing car sponsored by the Austrian energy drink company, Red Bull.
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In an adjoining tent, simulators allowed participants to "experience" (to a small degree) driving a formula one race car.
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Vienna City Hall

4/22/2015

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  The gothic Vienna City Hall, with a 97.9 meter high clock tower, was designed and built by Freidrich Schmidt between 1871 and 1883. Schmidt was a bit of a rogue. When Emperor Franz Joseph decreed that no secular tower could be higher than the 99 meter tower of the Votivkirche ( The Votive Church, commissioned by Archduke Maximillian to thank God for saving the life of his brother, Franz Joseph, during an assassination attempt) Schmidt added an iron standard ( cast from melted down Russian Kopecs) with a medieval knight at the top. This ruse made the tower 104.3 meters tall.

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The inner courtyard of the Vienna City Hall.
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The clock tower that architect Schmidt added an iron standard with a medieval knight ( called the Rathausmann) to the top. The resulting structure ended up measuring 104.3 meters tall (the tallest tower in Vienna) as a ruse to get around a decree from Emperor Franz Joesph.
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The Rathausmann statue on top of the clock tower of the Vienna City Hall.
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The Festival Hall was constructed in the late 19th century and is the largest hall in Austria (measuring 71 meters long, 20 meters wide, and 18.5 meters high). This is used for large scale events, such as balls, concerts, etc. Theoretically, 1500 couples could dance within this hall, if safety rules allowed it.
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At each end of the hall are identical orchestra platforms. During the ball celebrating the official opening of this hall, two orchestras (one at each end of the hall), both conducted by Johann Strauss II - son of the famous composer - alternated playing dance music.
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One of the upper level conference rooms displays coats-of-arms banners of the nine districts of Austria. The one displayed here is for Vienna.
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Vienna is not only the federal Capitol of Austria, it also is a province in its own right. Thus, this hall serves as the meeting place for the City Council, as well as the Diet (the lower House of Parliament- similar to our House of Representatives).
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This massive chandelier in the Council Chamber is said to have been made as one piece. It is three meters by five meters and is anchored directly to the building's roof structure.
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The ceiling of the Council Chamber is reminiscent of those in many palaces we have seen.
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Along the wall of one of the central stairwells is this map of old Vienna. The walls seen surrounding the city no longer exist.
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St.Othmar Church

4/22/2015

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  In a little, out of the main stream of traffic, plaza, we found the delightful St. Othmar Church. Originally built as a chapel around 1673, it became a church in 1690. At one time, this was the parish of St. Rock, but at some undocumented later period, it was renamed St.Othmar's. The facade underwent reconstruction around 1866, giving the church its current neo-gothic look. The church tower, measuring 80 meters (262 feet) is considered by some to be the third highest in Vienna.

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The front entrance. Notice the red brick repair part way up the facade.
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The 80 meter tower ranked as the third tallest in Vienna.
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The main altar.
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An elegant side altar with its golden statue.

The next series of pictures show the frescos along both side walls depicting the Stations of the Cross.

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Schonbrunn Palace

4/21/2015

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  This 1441 room summer palace of the Hapsburgs ( it's name meaning "beautiful spring" after an artesian well on the grounds) is largely in the original condition as when it was completed in 1743 under the direction of Empress Maria Theresa. The property, with a small mansion on the grounds, was purchased in 1559 by Holy Roman Emperor Maximzillion II and was to be used for hunting. Between 1638-1643 a palace was added to the existing mansion. This all was given to Emperess Maria Theresa in the early 1740's as a wedding gift. The newly formed Austria Republic assumed responsibility for the property in 1918, turning it into one of the most popular tourist attractions in Austria. The Palace was used for a meeting between American President John F. Kennedy and Russian President Nikita Kruschev in 1961.

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The front entrance to this massive complex.
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The back side facing the gardens seemed more elegant than the front entrance.
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Many of the rooms were divided into "apartments" for the various family members living there. This was part of Maria Theresa's apartment.
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Called the "Millions Room" because of the cost of the rare rosewood paneling ornamented with gilt carvings, was used as Maria Theresa's private salon.
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This flowery room was designed to give a sense of being outdoors, especially during bad weather. The large ceramic piece in the corner was a fireplace for heating the room.
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In addition to the expansive garden at the back of the Palace, is this exquisite (and massive) fountain.
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The Palm House, built in 1881, measures 113 meters in length and contains three different climatic zones for growing various plants and trees.
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Among the many gardens making up this complex is this maze hedge garden.
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Constructed in 1750, this Columbary (aviary) was designed to house special doves/pigeons.
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A Joyous Part of This Trip

4/20/2015

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There have been so many great moments (and memories) so far on this adventure - and we are sure that there will be many more to come., One of the greatest pleasures for us has been all of the many wonderful and varied people we have met. We would like to share the latest group with our many followers;

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Ishmael, a 20 year old philosophy major at the University of Vienna. He is originally from Albania. We had a great time discussing college life in Vienna with him.
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Just by happenstance, we met Sascha between the Vienna City Hall and the University of Vienna. He is a diplomat from the Netherlands Embassy who has been stationed in Vienna for two years.
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While in the Natural History Museum, we had the opportunity to have a nice discussion with AnneMarie (the grandmother), Magdalena (in grade one), and Laura (6 years old).
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Newly weds from Egypt, Noha and Mohamed, spent some moments with us enjoying the Museum of Arms and Armor.
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For the second time in as many months we had the pleasure of meeting a delightful singing group. This one, Gratia Deus, was from Romania and were in Vienna to present a concert. This was in the hallway just outside of the Spanish Riding School part of the Hofburg Palace.
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Leopoldo Museum

4/19/2015

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Going off in a little bit different direction than what we have done previously, the Leopold Museum is home to one of the largest collections of modern Austrian art, as well as the largest Egon Schiele collections in the world ( 40 paintings and over 200 works on paper and documents). Noted artists in this collection, in addition to Schiele, include Klimt, Gerstle, and Kokoschka. Vienna's art nouveau movement, known as the Jugendstil (or secessionists) became the interest of art lover Dr. Rudolf Leopold and his wife Elizabeth, collecting nearly 5000 items. The art works were consolidated in 1994, with help from the Republic of Austria and the National Bank of Austria and finally opened to the public in 2001.

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Entrance to the museum.
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Klimt "Death and Life" -1910.
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Japanese art that the Leopolds also collected.
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Schiele "Setting Sun" -1913.
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Oppenheimer "Portrait of Tilla Durieux" -1912.

The next three photos depict Vienna street life in 1906.

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Klimt's work studio.
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Imperial Treasury

4/18/2015

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  One of the most important treasures of the world, The Imperial Treasury of Vienna, is housed in the oldest part of the Hofburg Palace (dating from the 13th century), just off of the Swiss Courtyard. Encompassing 21 rooms, the collection is divided into two components; the secular collection exhibiting the artifacts from the House of Hapsburg; and the ecclesiastical collection of numerous devotional images and altars. Until 1918, the Hofburg Palace was the center of the Hapsburg Empire and this collection was designed to indicate the political power and geographical reach of this Empire. In addition to the many gems and artifacts of the Hapsburgs, the collection also devotes space to the Order of the Golden Fleece, a chivalrous order founded in Bruges by Philip III of Burgundy in 1430. Originally restricted to 24 Knights, it was later enlarged to comprise 50 recipients (including the Duke of Wellington), soon becaming the most prestigious order in Europe. Two branches of this ancient order still exist today; one in Austria and the other in Spain.

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Crown of the Holy Roman Empire circa 960.
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Crown, scepter, and orb of Rudolph II (now known as the Imperial Crown of Austria) dating from 1602.
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Imperial Robe worn on special State occasions.
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This 2.5 meter long Norwhal tooth was originally believed to be the horn of a unicorn.
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The Cradle of the King of Rome was presented to Napoleon in 1758 by the people of Paris upon the birth of his son (Napoleon II). The title "King of Rome" was given by Napoleon to his son.
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Chains of the Order of the Golden Fleece.
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A knight's chain of the Order of the Golden Fleece, dated 1435.
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Museums

4/17/2015

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  We love museums! They are windows not only into the past of a culture, but also into what interests that culture. Vienna is loaded with museums and trying to take them all in entails some planning. Presented here is a brief look at some of the museums we have enjoyed over the past few days;

The Museum of Arms and Armor is one of the best of its kind in the world. This is also the most extensively documented collection of court arms and armor in the western world because of its relationship to important political, military, and social occasions. The Hapsburgs had connections by marriage to more European countries than any other rulers. As a result, this museum exhibits the ornamental weaponry and armor of all the Western European princes from the 15th through the early 20th centuries. Also represented by this collection are the creations of the most famous armorers of that time; Missaglia, Seusenhofer, Negroli, and others.

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When a knight and his horse are fully regaled in their armor, it is a wonder that they could move at all.
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There are rooms after rooms of examples of armor.
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After a time, court armor became more decorative than functional.
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Sultan Suleyman's shield; this is the back-side where he held on to the shield.
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Even the male children of the court had their own decorative armor.

  The Museum of Musical Instruments is one of the most important collections of Renaissance and Baroque pieces in the world. Some of these items were actually played by famous musicians and composers, such as Beethoven, Chopin, and Anton Karas. Included in this exhibit are the comprehensive range of clavichord a and Viennese forte pianos belonging to the Hapsburgs. The only original recording of the Johann Strauss orchestra in the world is also on exhibit here

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A 17th century clavicitherius.
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A family of violins.
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An early army shoulder horn, played by blowing different amounts of air through it.
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One of the earliest known instruments: a bone pipe.
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A type of forte piano.

  The Ephesos Museum presents antiquities from the ancient Turkish city of Ephesus (in German it is called Ephesos). The Austrian Archeological Institute began excavation all research amongst the ruins of Ephesos in 1895 after Sultan Abdul Hamid II donated some items to Emperor Franz Joseph I. A change in Turish law in 1907 put a stop to the exportation of ancient artifacts.

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Model of the excavation site at Ephesos.
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Old picture of some of the actual ruins.
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One of the marble wall panels brought back from the ruins.
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A marble border panel.
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A damage statue: part of her face and her hands are missing.

The Kunsithistorisches (art museum) is housed in a festive looking palatial building near the Hofburg Palace (although the building was never really an actual palace, only constructed to resemble one). Construction of this museum began in1872 and was opened in 1891 by Emperor Franz Joseph I. The intent was to create a suitable home for the Hapsburg's large art collection, as well as to make it accessible to the general public. The impressive dome of the museum measures 60 meters in height and the interior is decorated with marble, ornamental stucco, and gold leaf. Included in the collection are works of Van Eyck, Durer, Michaelangelo, Rubens, Raphael, Rembrandt, and Vermeer.

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Van Dyck's 1622 "Young General".
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The Kardonal-Infant Ferdinand (1634) by Van Den Hoecke.
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The central hall to the museum.
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Ruben's 1617 "Miracles of St. Francis Xavior".
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Central panel of Christ the Redeemer by Master IP (c.1490).

  The Natural History Museum, aka NHMW, began its collection over 250 years ago and is one of the largest of its type in the world. There are approximately 30 million objects covering over 8700 square meters of space. The evolution of animals and plants, the origins of our solar system, and prehistoric all traditions and customs are all represented here. The building opened in 1889 and includes the world's largest and oldest collections of meteorites (numbering around 1100 items). This museum reminded us a lot of the Peobody Museum at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass

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The museum building.
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This large geode specimen adorns the stairwell leading to the exhibit area.
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Some of the large meteorite collection.
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This ancient ancestor of ours is part of the "Evolution of Man" exhibit.
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And of course no Natural History museum would be complete without some dinosaur skeletons.
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Belvedere Palace

4/16/2015

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Continuing our theme of palace complexes, the Belvedere Palace (which served as a summer place for members of the Hapsburg family) contains two Baroque palaces (the Upper Belvere and the Lower Belvedere), the Orangery (a heated winter garden), the palace stables, and a Baroque park landscape. Construction of the complex began in 1717 (with the Upper Belvedere) following a successful series of wars against the Ottoman Empire by Prince Eugene of Savoy. In 1732, the main entrance hall, the Sala Terrena, was in danger of collapse because of structural issues. Architect Johann Hildebrandt added a vaulted ceiling with four "Atlas" pillars to strengthen the hall (he did a good job because it still stands today as he reconstructed it). Following the death of Prince Eugene of Savoy, the complex went to his heir, niece Princess Victoria (daughter of his eldest brother,Thomas). She moved into the complex during July of 1732, but did not like it and had plans to sell the whole complex. Empress Maria Theresa acquired the complex in 1752 but never really used it. The Bodyguard of Archers used part of the lower Belvedere, while members of the Imperial family, including Princess Maria Theresa Charlotte, daughter of Louis the XIV and Marie Antoinette, occasionally used it as a residence. From 1899 until 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand lived in the upper Belvedere with his family. The Belvedere, as the whole complex became known, was nationalized and turned into a museum shortly after World War I.

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The main entrance to upper Belvedere.
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Marbled stairway to the upper floors.
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The Atlas Pillars in the Sala Terrena.
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Frescoes ceilings were throughout the palace.
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This room was gorgeous. It is amazing what having unlimited funds can accomplish.
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The gardens between the upper and lower Belvederes.
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The lower Belvedere.
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This room was way over the top...truly Baroque.
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Different angle on that same room.
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Restoration room for the many paintings throughout the complex.
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Hofburg Complex

4/15/2015

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  The Hapsbug Palace sits in the heart of a group of buildings that make up the "Hofburg Complex". Originally built in the 13th century, with expansions added later, this has been the documented seat of government since 1279 and home to Monarchs of the Hapsburg dynasty and rulers of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire ( some of the most powerful people in European and Austrian history). In addition to the Imperial apartments, the complex contains the Imperial Treasury, the Spanish Riding School, the Silverware collection, and the museum to Empress Elizabeth (Sisi). Today, part of this complex is the official residence and workspace for the President of Austria.

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The main entrance to the complex ("the front door").
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Aerial view of the Hofburg, which was the principle winter home for the Hapsburgs.
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Model depicting the relationship of each unit to the whole complex.
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The State dinning room (photography was not allowed within the Imperial Apartments so this was taken from an official postcard).
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The centerpiece for the State Dinning Room.
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The family breakfast room (man do we live wrong!).
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One of the Imperial Study's.
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This golden centerpiece is 35 feet long.
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Interior of Empress Elizabeth's private rail car.
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This gown was worn by Empress Elizabeth to the ball following her wedding.
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This cabinet of gold plates is one of several rooms taking up the whole ground floor of the palace devoted to dinnerware for the Hapsburgs.
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Cabinet full of elaborately decorated china.
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And, of course, statuary everywhere (outside and inside).

It is impossible to truly capture the grandure and opulence of the Hofburg with just a few pictures. You really must come here to see it all for yourself. We are sure you will be as amazed by it all as we were.

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Vienna Gardens

4/15/2015

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  The Hapsburgs created two great gardens in the center of Vienna next to the Imperial Palace; the Volksgarten (people's garden) and the Burggarten (the palace gardens). The Volksgarten was designed by Ludweg Remy in 1821 built on the ruins of old city fortifications (legend has it that in 1809 Napoleon destroyed the fortifications -which had been there since 1597- because he had become incensed at how easy it had been for his army to breach them. At the heart of this park is the Theseus Temple, a small replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. This replica was designed by court architect Peter Von Nobile and built between 1811-1823 in order to hold Antonio Canova's "Theseus Slaying the Centaur". The statue remained in the Volksgarten temple for 70 years, until 1890, when it was moved to the National Museum. At the north end of the park is a monument to Empress Elizabeth.

  The Burggarten derived it's name from "dieburg", meaning castle or court; thus this is the Imperial Gardens. Built off the backside of Imperial Palace, these gardens were for the pleasure of the Hapsburgs and their guests. The Burggarten was opened to the general public in 1918. We loved both gardens because they were beautiful and relaxing.

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Entrance to the Volksgarten.
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Looking across the grounds towards the Parliament building.
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The Theseus Temple in the heart of the park.
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The elegantly designed monument to Empress Elizabeth.
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Everyone seemed to enjoy an outing on this lovely day, including the ducks.
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Looking across the grounds of the Burggarten towards the Imperial Palace.
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There is an impressive butterfly house on the edge of the Burggarten, and next to the Palace...
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....and at the other end of this building is the garden nursery and hothouse.
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Looking from the Palace terrace towards the gardens.
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The most popular part of the gardens is this statue of Mozart with a flowered cleft in front.
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St. Stephen's Cathedral....2

4/14/2015

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  Previously, we had posted on a visit to St. Stephen's Cathedral here in Vienna. There is so much to this church that one visit posting can not do it justice. Therefore, a return trip to the Cathedral was warranted.

  St. Stephen's Cathedral, the mother church for the archdiocese of Vienna, located within the center of the city, is easily the most important and recognizable landmark. Built on an ancient Roman cemetery (an excavation in 2000 uncovered graves over 8 feet beneath the main floor and dating back to the fourth century), it has seen many important events in the history of the Hapsburgs and of Austria; such as the funeral of composer Antonio Vivaldi in 1741 and the naming of Mozart as adjunct music director just before his death. Much of the structure was destroyed in a great fire during 1258. A much larger structure was later rebuilt on the same site. Each year on the anniversary of this second consecration of the cathedral, the famous Pummerin bell is rung for three minutes. Oriented towards the sunrise, this limestone structure has accumulated soot and air pollution over the years, giving it a black appearance. The South tower houses an apartment for a watchman who looks out for fires anywhere within the city and sounds the bells in alarm.

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Picture of St. Stephen's Cathedral.
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This "O5" symbol was carved into the facade of the Cathedral to the right of the main entrance by members of the Austrian Resistance Movement in 1945. The "5" symbolically represents the letter "E". Together, then, the "OE" is an abbreviation for Osterreich, the German word for Austria.
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The burial coffin of Emperor Frederick III is located in the nave to the right of the main altar. The white papers on either side are petitions to St. Stephen for intercession.
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This three-panel altar is in the nave on the left side of the main altar.
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The organist playing for a daily mass.
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A view from the North Tower, with the South Tower on the edge of the picture.
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Close-up view of the elaborate double eagle decorated roof, taken from the North Tower.
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World War II bomb damage to the cathedral.
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Interior damage to the cathedral from WW II bombs.
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1940's picture of the South and North towers.
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The famous Pummerin bell located within the North Tower.
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One of the altars kept in the cathedral museum.
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This is the burial coffin of St. Valentine kept within the cathedral museum.
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Anna Bolena

4/13/2015

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The Vienna State Opera is world famous for its architecture, history, and productions. Last night, we were fortunate enough to attend Gaetano Donizetti's production of Anna Bolena, with soprano Anna Netrebko in the lead role, Luca Pisaroni as Henry VIII, and Ekaterina Semenchuk as Jane Seymore.

Anne Bolen was the 2nd wife of Henry VIII but was England's Queen for only three years before being put to death on the questionable charges of adultery and treason. The Vienna State Opera first presented this three hour production in 2011 which also was Anna Netrebko' first appearance in a dramatic title role. While last night's scenery was a bit stark, the costumes were beautifully done and all of the cast singers were fantastic. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed this performance immensely.

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The playbill for last night's performance.
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The audience was full when the orchestra began warming up for the overture.
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Even the box seats filled up.
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The ensemble cast members.
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The principle characters with the conductor taking the final curtain call.
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Lead performer Anna Netrebko.
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Alexandra and Rok from Slovenia who spent the evening with us, sharing this opera. They drove for 3.5 hours to be here for tonight's performance and then returned to Slovenia right afterwards. Rok was an aficionado of opera while this was Alexandra's first experience with this type of music.
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Vienna City Marathon

4/12/2015

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  For many years, I had been involved in the Boston Marathon as an Amateur Radio Operator. Because of our own year long adventure, this is the first time that I will not be available to help out and I will miss my participation. When we learned of the Vienna City Marathon running on April 12th, I knew that we had to see some of it. This is the 32nd anniversary of the running of this race, which happens to mark the 250th anniversary of the University of Vienna, one of the main supporters. I was surprised to learn that in addition to a full marathon, this event includes a team relay marathon and a half-marathon (yesterday there was a 4.5 km fun race for kids - and others if they wished to join). Researching this race, I learned that 2010 had record participation with over 32,000 runners. The weather today could not have been more perfect and everyone seemed to be enjoying the day. I was glad we were there to observe this special event.

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Part of the previous day's 4.5 km fun race for kids.
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Twins Benjamin and Simon. Simon ran the 4.5 km kids race while Benjamin and his parents cheered him on.
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Running through the streets of Vienna.
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Of course there was television coverage throughout the race course.
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This drum ensemble encouraged all the runners. This reminded us of the Taiko drummers that performed at the Boston Marathon in 1997 (the hundredth anniversary of the race). They were stationed at the base of Heartbreak Hill in Chestnut Hill.
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This 42 member musical group ran the race with their instruments and just before the finish line gathered together to play a song as they finished the race.
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After the runners finished the race they were given these yellow coverings to stay warm while they were funneled to the concession concourse.
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Clock Museum

4/12/2015

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  Situated within a cute Viennese house from the Middle Ages, sitting on foundation walls dating back to the 15th century, the 3000 clocks of the Uhrenmuseum (clock museum) trace the history of time keeping from then. At the top of every hour, three floors of clocks chime out the time (not when we were there however...renovations to the building created so much dust that all the clocks were blocked). Founded in 1917, the clock museum got its start from two private collections;

     1) Rudolph Kaftor, a middle school teacher and the first director of the museum;

     2) writer Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach.

The smallest clock in the collection is the "Zappler" ,that fits under a thimble, and the heaviest is the tower clock from St. Stephen's cathedral (made of cast iron).

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The Vienna Clock Museum.
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The clock mechanism from St. Stephen's Cathedral. Manufactured in 1417 from wrought iron by blacksmiths.
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Early clocks were notoriously inaccurate and had to be continuously adjusted with the help of sundials like this one.
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Astronomical clock built in 1810 by Michael Krofitsch (a parish priest) in the shape of a winged altar piece.
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Mantle clocks.
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Long case clocks.
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Clock with automata showing a mining operation, made in 1891.
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The Zappler, smallest clock in the collection. It fits underneath a thimble.
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St. Michael's Church

4/10/2015

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  One of the oldest churches in Vienna (800 years old) and one of the few Romanesque buildings is St. Michael's across from the Hofburg Palace. Dedicated to the Archangel Michael, it was the original parish church for the Imperial Court. It has remained unchanged since 1792. The main altar, known as "The Fall of Angels" with a cloud burst of angels and cherubs, was designed in 1782 by Jean-Baptise d'Avrange. The church's pipe organ, the largest baroque organ in Vienna, was designed in 1714 by Johann David Sieber. It was once played by 17 year old Joseph Haydn in 1749. Mozart's " Requiem" was first performed here in 1791.

  The crypt, "Michaelergruff", under the church is where many rich and noble folks bought space for burial. Originally, the coffins were lowered into the crypt through marble slabs in the church proper. As the crypt began to fill up, the smell overwhelmed parishioners so much that a stairwell was built off to the side and from that point on coffins went into the crypt that way. There were over 4000 corpses buried here. Because of the dry conditions in the crypt, several bodies became mummified. Among the corpses is Pietro Metastano (1698-1782) one of the most famous opera libretto composers in Vienna. Just in front of the main entrance to St. Michael's are the remains of the settlement of Canobae (for military wives and children) which was part of the Roman Army camp of Vindobona.

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The wall plague out front.
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The main altar, "The Fall of Angels".
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The baroque Werdenberg Chapel built in 1627.
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The pipe organ built in 1714 was played by Joseph Haydn when he was 17 years old.
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Some of the more ornate coffins.
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Many of the wooden coffins fell apart with age and spilled the bones all over the floor. Church staff tried to clean some of it up by stacking the bones. There were so many bones covering the floor ,however, that they were just covered over with dirt, making the crypt smaller by over a meter.
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Some of the disarray of bones on the floor of the crypt.
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Part of the settlement of Canobae ruins just outside the front of the church.
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The Anker Clock

4/9/2015

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Between 1911 and 1914, painter/sculptor Franz Von Matsch created the Anker clock (Ankeruhr) for the up and coming Anker Insurance company. It is located in the oldest square in Vienna, the Hoher Market (meaning the high or important market). This market area actually pre-dates the city of Vienna itself, being the officer quarters for the Roman Army camp Vindobona. The clock creates a bridge between two of the buildings belonging to the insurance company, measuring 10 meters wide and 7.5 meters high (the clock itself measures 4 meters in diameter). During the course of a 12 hour cycle, 12 historical figures or pairs from Vienna's past parade across the front of the clock. The highlight occurs at noon, when all 12 move past the clock accompanied by music from its era. The 12 figures are;

1) Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius who died near Vienna;

2) Karl de Grobe (Charlemagne);

3) Duke Leopoldo VI (The Glorious) and wife Theodora;

4) Walther Von der Vogelweide (medieval minstrel);

5) King Rudolph of Hapsburg and wife Anna;

6) Meister Hans Puchsbaum;

7) Emperor Maximillian I (younger brother of Emperor Franz Jospeh);

8) Mayor Johann Andress Von Liebenberg;

9) Count Rudiger Von Starhensberg;

10) Prince Eugene of Savoy;

11) Emperess Maria Theresa and Franz Stephen of Lorraine;

12) Joseph Haydn.

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The Ankeruhr (Anker clock).
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This clock forms a bridge between the two administrative buildings of the Anker Insurance Company located within the Hoher Market.
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Other figures show up in windows on each side of the clock.
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Mayor Johann Andress Von Liebenberg parades past the clock.
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The Spanish Riding School

4/9/2015

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  While the exact origins of the Spanish Riding School (more properly known as "The Winter Riding School") are unknown, there is documentation that in 1565 one hundred guilders was appropriated to build a wooden "...open riding and competition arena..." on what is today known as Josefsplatz. In 1729, Emperor Charles VI ordered the construction of the more permanent Winter Riding School as part of the Hofburg Palace. The pseudonym "Spanish Riding School" derived from the Lipizzan horses that originated from Spain. In the 16th century, these horses were considered to be especially well suited for classical horsemanship.This is the oldest riding school in the world (450 years old) and is devoted to the Renaissance tradition of "haute ecole". This study of the way the horse naturally moves creates an unparalleled harmony between horse and rider, known as classical dressage. "The steps of horses and riders is part of a carefully orchestrated ballet" ( from the official description of the program). We were fortunate to be present during one of their daily practice sessions as they get ready for the 450th anniversary celebration later this year.

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The double line parade march.
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Breaking off from the double line, each then parades in single line formation along the outside wall of the arena.
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The famous jump known as the "Croupade".
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I took this picture through the railing in order to create a nice frame of horse and rider.
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This is known as the "Lavade".
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Vienna Friends

4/9/2015

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  As mentioned previously, throughout our adventure we have made an effort to meet folks on the street and to share stories. Here is our first set of people we have met here in Vienna;

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Casey ( who is originally from L.A. But now lives in Vienna) and her Mom, Karen. We met during the tour of the crypt at St. Michael's church.
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Evelyn, her Mom, Helga, and Anna (Helga's daughter-in-law ) at the Aida Cafe.
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Nicholas was very helpful in finding information for us about the Teutonic Church and museum.
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We met Nerisa and Dimitri on the pedestrian walkway near St. Stephen's Cathedral.
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Michael and Maureen were fellow shoppers at the supermarket.
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Outside the Vienna State Oper House we met Theresa and Sandra.
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Baskim took time out from his job selling opera tickets to help with some directions.
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While shopping at the supermarket, we ran into Helen Schneiderman, an opera singer on rehearsal break.
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At the farmers' market near our apartment, there was a cute little tea shop with this very friendly Andrea helping customers.
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Albertina Museum

4/8/2015

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  Built in the latter half of the 17th century, the Albertina Museum (situated across from the Vienna State Opera House) sits on the Augustion Bastion, one of the last remaining sections of Vienna's ancient fortifications. In 1744, the Director of the Court Construction Office, Count Silva-Tarouca refurbished the building to be his palace, aka Palais Tarouca. After it was finished, however, Duke Albert of Saxan-Tescher took it over for his home. Albert was an avid art collector and his friend, Count Giancomo Dunazzo, Austrian Ambassador in Venice, in 1776, donated 1000 pieces of art to the Duke and his wife Maria Christina. Two hundred years later (1919) ownership of the Albertina Palace, as it had become known, passed from the Hapsburgs to the newly founded Republic of Austria. During World War II (March 1945) the Palace/museum was damaged by bombings but was later rebuilt to its former glory. On the upper floors of the building are the 21 Hapsburg State Rooms in which Duke Albert and Maria Christina lived with their family.

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The front and main entrance to the Albertina Palace Museum.
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A tribute statue of Emperor Franz Joseph sits in the courtyard just in front of the main entrance.
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The ground floor and lower level currently are showing an exhibition of more modern artists such as Andy Warhol and Gerhard Richter.
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The main staircase leads to the upper floors and is reminiscent of other grand palaces throughout Europe.
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At the top of the stairs is this statue of Euterpe muse of music and lyric poetry.

The next series of pictures depict some of the 21 Hapsburg State Rooms the Duke Albert and his wife Maria Christina lived in while in Vienna.

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Duke Albert's study.
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Ladies sitting room.
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For lack of a better description, the Red Room.
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The large ballroom lined on both sides by elegant statuary.
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Overview of the ballroom.
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The palace could be quite cold during winter months so each room had fancy decorated fireplaces.
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Green bedroom.
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On the top floor is an exhibition of Impressionist art such as Monet's Lillies.
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And Paul Sarnac's Pink Cloud.
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Fritz Wotrube's large Reclining Youth (1933).
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This beautiful fountain sculpture sits in front of the Albertina on street level.
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    Carl and Lorraine  Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.

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