Vienna, AT
We were regaled at a private, family owned palace with chamber music, singing, dancing, and an unbelievable meal.
We dined in this modest room of chandeliers and mirrors, giving a feeling of never-ending luxury.
A ballet segment during the meal.
Entrance to the Lipizzaner stables.
http://www.lipizzaner.com
Entrance to Schonbrunn Palace. Development of this magnificent edifice was begun in the mid 16th C, and expanded by Maria Theresa, the only female Hapsburg monarch . Wings to each side – out of view – were built for the 1500 servants.
Future French queen and daughter of Maria Theresa, Marie Antoinette and other royal Hapsburg kids grew up here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schönbrunn_Palace
View of Schonbrunn from the rear on the garden axis to the Gloriette (next picture).
Garden fountains above which may be seen the Gloriette, a structure built in 1775 by Maria Theresa to glorify Hapsburg might.
Kärntner Strasse, a pedestrian only street. Many high-end and souvenir stores can be found here. Amy bought a pair of shoes (Midnight Nude) which caught the eye of several women on the trip.
Spire of St. Stephan’s Church, under restoration. I had heard the organist practicing in this church in 1963; the base notes vibrated my chest. Today there is a partition separating the worship space from sightseeing traffic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZJJjSUz08U
Twin side towers
baptismal water
St Stephens nave
St Stephens pulpit
St Stephens organ
St. Stephens side chapel
Minoritenkirche: Mosaic of the last supper
This mosaic was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte
as a substitute for the original painting in Milan, which
was to be moved to Paris. Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo
in 1815 cancelled these plans and the mosaic was bought
by the Habsburgs. The mosic is found in the Minoritenkirche,
established in 1224 and built on its present site in 1339.
Pestsaule Monument. Inaugurated in 1693, contributed to by many architects and sculptors, the monument commemorates Vienna surviving the plague of 1679 and was promised by Emperor Leopold I if the plague would end.
http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vienna-pestsaule-plague-column
Photographic Meanderings/Danube and Rhône River Cruises 