April 2009
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Vienna...
Just a short walk from Schönbrunn is a cemetery where many prominent Austrians are buried. Upon hearing that Gustav Klimt, the master of Art Nouveau, was buried there, we simply had to take a look. Klimt is one of the most famous artists in the world and most people would recognize his work even if they don't know the name. So I was surprised to see that his grave is so modest.
While wondering from site to site we came across this little monument on a random street, a bit of battle damage turned into a memorial. The glass plaque says Wunden der Erinnerung which means "scar of remembrance"
This unspectacular bit of architecture is actually one of the most famous theatres in Vienna, aptly titled "Theatre of Vienna." Works by Beethoven, Franz Schubert, and Johann Strauss premiered here during its heyday. At first we couldn't tell what the stagehands were loading but then we figured out it was palettes of fake rubble.
Above is the old Vienna City Hall. At night it was lit up beautifully which, unfortunately, was difficult to capture on camera. But I tried.
As I mentioned before, Vienna is just overflowing with statues. One would think the picture on the right is some monument to a famous knight. But no, it was a lamp post.
Here again we have the Habsburgs doing their best to invoke the glory of Ancient Rome. I must admit though it all looks pretty impressive.
Probably the funniest thing I saw in Vienna was this guy, a monk (presumably) in an honest-to-god (no pun intended) monk's cowl carrying this billboard with what looks like a traffic marker stretched across the back. Confession Pronouncement is what it says.