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| 2019 Christmas in Vienna with the Pabustan family |
Spent the 2019 Christmas in the city where you could still feel that we are still in the 17th century with the Baroque buildings and the Imperial Palaces. It was our third visit to this amazing city, the second
of our girls. We were in Christmas Markets tour, we could not miss Vienna which is one of the best destination also for Christmas holiday. We were fortunate, our visit was on the Christmas day though, there were Christmas markets still opened in the popular places in Vienna. We got to experience the Christmas Markets in the St Theresia Platz, Hofburg Palace, Belvedere Palace and Schonbrunn Palace and the largest, at the Rathausplatz.
We took the Flixbus from Florenc, Prague to Vienna Edberg. I have booked on 23 June 2019 originally from Prague Main Station. Since we arrived in Florenc from Nuremberg, it would be troublesome if we bring our luggage to the Main Station. When we had arrived Florenc, Prague, we had requested for a change of departure. We arrived Erdberg at 01:20 on 25 December 2019, as scheduled. We were booked for two nights at the Ibis budget Wien Sankt Marx. We have reserved two rooms for a total of € 216.72. The budget hotel is near the Flix bus station. It was freezing though, we had walked with our luggage from the bus station to the hotel early in the morning.
The hotel we had stayed in was far from the center. The nearest metro to get to the city is Gasometer U vstation. Nevertheless, there was a convenience store in front of the hotel and a supermarket next to the hotel, Billa. Furthermore, Gasometer Mall is integrated with the Gasometer U station. My hubby and I were out by half past eight. The girls were still asleep.
We purchased day ticket for €8 each.
We planned to have breakfast at the McDonalds at Gasometer Mall, however, it was not yet opened that early. We headed to Stephenplatz, 7 stations from Gasometer U3.
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| St Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna, Austria |
We were here again! St Stephen's Cathedral. Click the link for more of the Cathedral during our visit in May 2018.
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| Haas House at Stephenplatz, Vienna, Austria |
Haas House is a modern building at Stephenplatz situated opposite the historical building, St. Stephen's Cathedral. We could see the mirror image of the Cathedral from its facade.
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| Trunk of a Tree full of nails at Stephenplatz,, Vienna, Austria |
During the middles ages, there was a trunk of a tree that was full of nails. It was called Stock im Eisen. Hundreds of people hammered nail to the trunk for good luck. The place was previously known as Stock im Eisen square. When the Equitable building was built at the same location the nail tree was, the trunk was put behind the glass and at present displayed on the corner of the building. The square was then combined to Stephenplatz.
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| Trunk of a Tree full of nails at Stephenplatz,, Vienna, Austria |
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| St. Stephen's Cathedral at Stephenplatz, Vienna, Austria |
St Stephen's Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of the City of Vienna. In the mid 1100s, there St Stephen's Cathedral was one of the two churches in the area where the present Cathedral now stood. The buildings was totally ravaged by fire. In the mid 1300s, during the reign of Duke Rudolf IV, St Stephen's was rebuilt with Romanesque and Gothic architectural style occupying the areas of the previous two churches. The building was saved though from the the WWII bombings, it did not escape the fire that was lit up by the civilians nearby when the Russians entered the city. Thereafter, with the help of the whole of Austria, the Cathedral was rebuilt to it original form with extensions, additional towers and more decorations. The Cathedral, known also as Stephansdom, is one of the major symbols of Vienna and of Austria. It is visited by millions of tourists every year.
Peeping tommy self-portrait sculpture beneath the stairs of the pulpit inside the St. Stephen's Cathedral. It is believed to be the sculptor of the pulpit.
We had our breakfast at the Mc Donald's at Stephenplatz. Afterwards, we took the U1 to Karlsplatz to start our walk along the Ring Road, the street that makes circle around the Inner City.
The Vienna Ring Road is the location of the medieval fortifications before it was dismantled in the mid-19th century. Picturesque historicist style buildings were erected thereafter following various elements of architectures: Baroque, Renaissance, Classical and Gothic.
Also known as Vienna Ringstrasse and Lord Of the Ring Roads, the road is designated by the UNESCO as part of the Vienna's World Heritage sites.
Vienna State Opera is one of the beautiful historical buildings lined in the Ringstrasse. More so, the very first building on the Ring Road styled with Renaissance Architecture built from 1861 to 1869.
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| Hofburg Neue Burg section, seen from Burggarten |
Not far from the Vienna State Opera is the Burggarten. You could see the beauty of this garden park in other seasons especially in Summer. It was named after Hofburg, the Imperial Palace. It was once the court garden. It was opened to public for free in 1919.
On my left is the Neue Burg Building, an extension wing from the Hofburg Palace. The Neue Burg is the youngest among the historical buildings in Vienna though, it shared an unforgettable event, Adolf Hitler stood on its balcony and announced that Austria had been absorbed into Nazi Germany. There were crowds cheering but not something to be proud of by the people in Vienna.
Overlooking from the garden is Court Church, Church of the Augustinian Friars where a number of weddings by the Imperial Family took place. At present, we could hear during the High mass the church music by Mozart, Haydn and Schubert.
Memorial to Mozart is one of the popular sttatues in the Burggarten
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| Hofburg Neue Burg section, seen from Heldenplatz |
Hofburg Palace was the seat of the court with the Imperial Family at the top of the structure. It was also the winter residence of the Imperial Family. At present, Hofburg is the official residence and work station of the Austrian President. Hofburg Palace is a complex of extended wings. Our 2018 visit, we covered part of the Hofburg Palace around the Heldenplatz.
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| Imperial Chancellery Wing (Reichskanzleitrakt), Hofburg Palace |
The Imperial Chancellery Wing at present houses the Franz Josef Apartment for view to the public with a fee.
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| Bronze statue of Francis I dressed as a Roman Emperor, Hofburg Inner Castle Court |
HOFBURG Inner Castle Court (innerer Burghof), also known as Burgplatz, forms the Imperial Chancellery Wing (Reichskanzleitrakt), Amalienburg, Leopoldine Wing and the Swiss Wing with the Bronze statue of Francis I dressed as a Roman Emperor in the middle.
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| Amalienburg, Hofburg Inner Castle Court, Vienna Austria |
The Amalienburg is situated across the Swiss Wing. It was designed in the late Renaissance style with a cupola and astronomical clock on the facade. The wing was named after the widow of Francis Josef I, Wilhelmine Amalie of Brunswick. The wing currently houses the Sisi Museum for public view with a fee.
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| Swiss Wing, Hofburg Palace |
Swiss Wing was once the knights' hall for the household guards who watch over the Emperor.
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| Michaelertor from the Inner court, Hofburg, Vienna, Austria |
At the corner side of the Imperial Chancellery Wing, near the Swiss Wing is the entrance to the Michealer Dome, exit to Michaelerplatz. Two statues of Hercules flank on Michaelertor from the Inner court. Heracles and Antaeus by Lorenzo Mattielli, Hofburgon the left and Heracles and the Heracles and Busiris by Lorenzo Mattielli, Hofburg
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| St Michael's Wing, Hofburg Palace, Vienna, Austria |
St Micheal's Wing, in neo-baroque architectural style, is part of the Hofburg Palace. It was named after the church opposite the building, St. Michael's Church. In front of Imperial Palace is the popular historical square in Vienna, Michaelerplatz.
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| Michaelertor to the Hofburg through St. Michael's wing dome, view from Michaelerplatz |
Michaelertor from the Michaelerplatz was once the entrance to the Hofburg Palace complete through the St. Michaels' wing Dome. Spanish Riding School is inside the dome. Beautifying the portal are four statues of Hercules. From left: Heracles and the Lernaean Hydra by Edmund Hofmann, Hofburg & Heracles and the Girdle of Hippolyta by Hans Scherpe, Hofburg. On the right side, from left: Heracles and Prometheus by Josef Lax, Hofburg & Heracles and Cerberus by Anton Paul Wagner, Hofburg
The Horse-drawn carriages added to the feel we were back from 17th century. These offer city tour and are provided parking space.
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| Imperial and Royal Christmas Markets, Vienna, Austria |
Imperial and Royal Christmas Markets. Beautiful white stalls in front of the Michael Wing of the Hofburg Palace and at the historical center of the city. Looks part of the Hofburg complex matches the colour of the booths.
Christmas Villages in front of Imperial Palace backdropped by the buildings: Palais Herberstein and the Loos Haus.
Many could have thought Palais Herberstein was also an extension wing of the Imperial Palace. The building was privately owned by Count Herberstein. During the redevelopment of the buildings all over in Vienna, Count Herbernstein rebuilt his building and some kind of copying the design of the Imperial Palace He even put a dome on top. Many commented a pretense of equality to the Imperial. As the building underwent numerous redevelopments in the later years, the dome had disappeared but got taller
The LoosHaus was very controversial after it was built by Adolf Loos sometime in 1909. The building was the very first modern built in Vienna and to be more specific, modern building built step away from the Imperial Palace. Not only the Emperor of Austria, Franz Josef, was shocked, the traditionalists felt offended. Adolf Loos had travelled to America and had admired the modern works in that country. The building was initially opened as a tailor shop for Goldman und Salatsch. But there was no sculpture or any other symbols that suggest it was a tailor shop. Many thought it was a bank. The simplicity of the building had been subject to criticism. It was even named as a Woman with no eyebrows. At present, LoosHaus is used as a bank. LoosHaus is popularly known as the first to adapt to Modernity in Vienna.
Royal and Imperial Christmas Markets in Vienna Opening times:
November 13 - December 26, 2020
Daily from 11.00 noon - 8.00 pm
Michaelerplatz, 1010 Vienna
Due to COVID-19, the opening times could be changed.
Across from the Michaelertor of the Imperial Palace is the St. Michael Church or Michaelerkirche . Latter was once the Parish church of the Imperial court. It was designed in Romanesque Gothic architectural style. The church is dedicated to Archangel Michael.
Michaelerplatz not only known as a historical square in Vienna but also a square with an uncoverd Roman excavations
A bit modern buildings near the Imperial Palace
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| Äußere Burgtor (Outer Castle Gate), Vienna, Austria |
Off to the Christmas Markets at the Theresien Platz through the Äußere Burgtor (Outer Castle Gate).
Burgtor gate is a historical gate between Maria-Theresian Platz and the Heldenplatz. It was then the Outer Castle gate when the now Ringstrasse were fortified moat walls protecting the Hofburg Palace. Heldenplatz is the square in front of the Neue Hofburg.
Christmas Villages between the two identical historical museums. Market stalls were festively decorated offer variety of traditional culinary delights.
It was too early for Vienna sausage and mulled wine. Our girls were on their way to meet with a quick stopped at Stephenplatz for breakfast and photo taking. My hubby waited for them at the nearest U2 Museumsquartier station. I went to see the museums at the Museums quartier and went inside to one of them, the Leopold Museum, for a clean toilet 😀
While I was waiting for the girls, I went inside the Kunsthistorisches. We have visited this museum in May 2019 and I did regret I did not buy some souvenirs then from the museum. I told the one checking the entrance ticket I plan to just buy something in the shop. He lent me an ID to wear while inside the museum. I have spent half an hour inside. Too bad they have no canvas copy of the "KISS" by Klimt. I bought some posters of the popular paintings inside and a canvas copy of the David & Goliath by Caravaggio. During our visit, the works of Caravagio were for exhibits at Kunst.
The girls are here!!!
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
Where: Maria Theresien Platz
When: 18 November – 26 December 2020
Opening times: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 9 pm; Friday & Saturday 11 am – 10 pm; 24 December 11 am – 4 pm; 25 – 26 December 11 am – 7 pm
Plus: New Year's Market from 27 December 2020 – 6 January 2021
Due to COVID-19, the opening times could be changed.
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
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| Christmas Village on Maria Theresien Square, Vienna, Austria |
Off to our next Christmas Market.
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| Viennese Dream Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria |
We took a tram to get to the Rathausplatz from Burgring stop, 4 minute walk from the Theresien Platz.
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| Viennese Dream Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria |
Christmas stalls in front of the City Hall. This is the 3rd Christmas Market we have visited since morning on Christmas day in Vienna. This is the largest and busiest Christmas Market in Vienna, apparently more stalls lined in the number of rows in front of the Neo-Gothic style Town Hall.
Vienna is known for this delicacy during the outdoor event, Langos. It is a fried potato dough coated with garlic paste served with a flat round shape like pancake but giant and crispy.
Where: On the square in front of the City Hall
When: opening at the beginning of December
Due to COVID-19, the opening times could be changed
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| Viennese Dream Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria |
The Rathaus or Vienna City Hall is the seat of the local government in Vienna. The historical building is part of the Ring Road attractions. It is one of the city's tourist attraction.
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| Viennese Dream Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria |
I think there were about 200 stalls at the Rathausplatz offer Vienna Culinary delights, Christmas punch and traditional items
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| Viennese Dream Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria |
The Christmas tree at the platz may be smaller than the towers of the Rathaus, it was still very tall! The tree was illuminated by 2000 LED lights which is donated annually from the other cities and provinces in Austria.
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| Viennese Dream Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz, Vienna, Austria |
Skating Rink at the Rathausplatz opened during the advent.
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| Burgtheatre, Vienna, Austria |
Across the Rathausplatz is the Burgtheatre, a German language theatre. Latter is one of the historical buildings along the Ringstrasse. More so, the National theatre of Austria
We took the two Ring Road trams No. 1 and No. 2 to view the other buildings along the Ringstrasse.
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| view of the Votivkirche from the tram, Vienna, Austria |
Not so far from the Rathaus is the Votivkirche. After the failed attempted assassination on Emperor Franz Josef in 1853, a Neo-Gothic style church was built to thank God for saving the Emperor's life.
University Vienna is the oldest University in the German speaking area and the largest in Europe. It is one of the historical buildings along the Ringstrasse. The University is open to public for viewing for free.
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| Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria |
Belvedere is a building complex (upper and lower) designed in Baroque architectural style. The complex was built as a summer residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy after victory from series of wars against the Ottoman Empire. The Belvedere Garden is not at its best in Winter. In Summer, it shows all the important element of the Baroque style garden: trimmed hedges, symmetrical flower parterres...
I was hoping I could buy a canvas copy of the Klimt painting, The Kiss. It was out of stock. We were able to buy a small picture only.
Belvedere is currently a musuem houses the works from the middle ages to present with the largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings. We did not go inside though.
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| Christmas Village Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria |
There were around 40 Christmas stalls between the Palace and the Garden pond. The backdrop is great but few visitors because of the location, away from the city centre.
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| Christmas Village Belvedere Palace, Vienna, Austria |
Christmas Village Belvedere Palace
Opening times:
Where: Belvedere Palace, Prinz Eugen-Straße
When: 20 November – 26 December 2020
Opening hours: Monday – Friday 11 am – 9 pm; Saturday – Sunday 10 am – 9 pm; 24 December 11 am – 4 pm; 25 – 26 December 11 am – 7 pm
Plus: New Year's Market from 27 – 31 December
Due to COVID-19, schedule could be changed.
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| Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria |
The last Christmas Market we had visited in Vienna was the one at Schönbrunn Palace. We could smell the freshly baked Vanillekipferl Biscuits and the Christmas punch. However, we opted not to eat. Our girls craved for Asian food after our 5 days stay in Europe.
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| Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, Austria |
Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace is the grandest in Vienna. However, seems everything sells in this Christmas village are a bit pricey. We are charged by the magical backdrop. The stunning tall Christmas Tree is donated annually by the Austrian Federal Forest.
Opening times:
Where: Parade Court, in front of Schönbrunn Palace
When: opening at the beginning of December – 26 December 2020
21 November – 23 December 2020 | 10 am to 9 pm
24 December 2020 | 10 am to 4 pm
25 December – 26 December 2020 | 10 am to 6 pm
Due to COVID-19, the schedule could be changed.
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| Schönbrunn Garden in Winter, Vienna, Austria |
We were freezing and a bit wet though, I wanted my kids to see the Schönbrunn garden, even not at its best. My hubby and I were here in May 2018. I have a separate blog, you may want to check it out, SCHÖNBRUNN GARDEN
The Schönbrunn Palace is the summer residence of the Imperial Family.
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| Stephenplatz at night on 2019 Christmas day, Vienna, Austria |
Our girls had checked through internet a Japanese Restaurant. They saw one near the Stephenplatz.
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| Stephenplatz at night on 2019 Christmas day, Vienna, Austria |
Japanese food for dinner on Christmas day in Vienna, Austria. Merry Christmas!
It was a long day. My family was very tired. But I did not want to leave Vienna missing Prater again. I went by myself.
There is an adjacent mall at the Praterstern station. I also saw Japanese Buffet. We could have had our dinner here.
Not so crowded but the bars were still filled with people enjoying the hot punch and live music.
There were also Christmas Market stalls that sells the traditional souvenirs and culinary delights. Was this the 6th Christmas Market I had visited in Vienna?
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| Prater Vienna, Austria |
The amusement park was like a ghost town on that night. The rides were operating but only 2 to 3 seats were filled. Most of the attractions in the park were the oldest in the world. They were perfectly preserved, we could still feel back in time, late 19th century.
The end of the Christmas Markets tour in Vienna. It was really a wonderful experience to spend Christmas in this city surrounded by amazing historical grandiose buildings, meticulously designed. Going back to our hotel at the Gasometer was kind of OMG!. I had realized involved few minutes of walk from the station. And I was really like freezing to death. Good thing Starbucks or the Mc Cafe at the adjacent mall was still opened. I bought hot chocolate drink to keep me warm.
We had a scheduled transfer from Vienna to Zagreb the following morning by Flixbus. Latter was not bad. We did not have any problem. Travel to Zagreb was the last we took the bus during this Trip. We rented a car from 28 December 2019 to our departure from Paris on 06 January 2020.
See you in Zagreb.
continued from Christmas Eve in Prague, Czech Republic
continues to Holiday Season in Zagreb, Croatia and Christmas Market Experience 26~27 December 2019
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