Today is the first day of the Advent season, the "countdown" for Christmas. It is a tradition to buy (or create personally) an Advent wreath and to light the candles on every Sunday - on the first Sunday one candle, on the second two candles and so on, until on the last Sunday before Christmas all four candles are lit.
St. Stephen's Cathedral is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna. The current Romanesque and Gothic form of the cathedral was largely initiated by Duke Rudolf IV and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches. Currently it is surrounded by one of Vienna's many Christmas markets.
Some weeks ago I told you that the outdoor areas of the cafés and restaurants have to be closed on November 15. Well, I was wrong... November 30 is the last possibility to enjoy your drink or meal outside. A lot of terraces have already been dismantled, but last Sunday some people still braved the autumnal temperature.
"The Three Hussars" was a glamorous restaurant in the city center. It was founded after World War I by Count Paul Pälffy and two other hussar officers and quickly became an important meeting place for the Viennese society. In 2010 the restaurant went bankrupt, but the sign is still there...
It's funny how sometimes the "little things" catch your eyes... On Sunday this was the case with the iyy and the rusty fence of Volksgarten.
The fountain "Triton and the nymph" is located in Volksgarten and was built in 1880.
"Even if you think the Big Bang created the stars, don't you wonder who sent the flowers?" - Robert Brault
As I told you yesterday, I visited Vienna's first skyscraper, the Hochhaus Herrengasse, during the "Open House Weekend" in September. I walked all the stairs up to the top floor and at one point I noticed all these lines and thought they would look good in a photo.
In September Vienna held its first "Open House Weekend", giving people the chance to explore the city’s amazing architecture and peek into 70 buildings normally not available to the public. I made it only to one building, the Hochhaus Herrengasse in the city center, Vienna's very first skyscraper (50m tall, erected in 1931/32) and enjoyed a beautiful view of the town.
I can read a magazine or a book in a park, but I'm easily distractible and could never study like this young man in Volksgarten.
Grinzing was integrated into the city of Vienna in 1892, the reputation of this area is based on its viticulture and numerous Heurige (wine taverns where the most recent wine is served).
Autumnal cakes in the window of the K.u.K. ("Imperial and Royal") Court Confectionery Bakery Demel in the city center.
"A flower falls, even though we love it; and a weed grows, even though we do not love it." - Dōgen Zenji
As I have already mentioned several times, the banks of the Danube Canal can officially be sprayed by street artists. Recently this graffito caught my eyes.
Last Sunday I took another bicycle ride along the Danube Canal to take advantage of the nice weather. By the way, I recently became aware of the fact that I'm always taking bicycle rides by the water...
The Donauturm and the Old Danube at sunset some weeks ago. I really miss my bicycle tours at dusk... During wintertime (standard daylight time) I'm still at work when the sun sets...
I don't like autumn because the trees are losing theirs leaves, the days are getting shorter and the temperature declines, but yesterday I really enjoyed the autumnal sun and the leaves turning yellow and orange. If only the whole season could be like this...
Yesterday the weather was very beautiful, and the temperature was rather springlike (this year the weather is really crazy). I had the day off and in between running errands, took a walk in Burggarten, where some people were having an afternoon picnic. I would have loved to join them...
Yesterday I was at the "Art & Antique" fair at the Imperial Palace: 50 (mostly) national art dealers and galleries present arts, antiques, design and jewelry. You can find there rustic furniture, carpets, religious art but also contemporary paintings - there is something for (nearly) every taste. The fair runs through November 16.
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished." - Lao Tzu
Vienna's oldest tavern is located in the 19th district and dating back to the 14th century. Today it's not a tavern any more, but a select restaurant that offers traditional Austrian food and wine. I know it only from passing by, I've never been inside.
Autumn found its way into the window of a confectionary in the city center.
A mansion in the 19th district covered with autumnal virginia creeper.
If you want to explore Vienna from the water, you can take a sightseeing cruise on the "Blue Danube" that travels the Danube Canal and the Danube. The ship can also be rented for weddings, birthday parties or small company functions. For more information please click here.
On Saturday I took advantage of the beautiful weather and cycled along the Danube Canal. The walls on the banks of the canal are "legal graffiti walls" where the sprayers can go wild without fear of breaking the law. Most of the graffiti are colourful, but not really beautiful. However, this snoopy caught my eyes.
The Viennese cafés and restaurants are bound by law to close their outdoor areas on November 15. With the current temperatures I prefer to sit inside, but one can still see people enjoying their meals and/or drinks outside.
"You're only here for a short visit. Don't hurry, don't worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way." - Walter Hagen
The Millennium Tower is one of the landmarks of modern Vienna. The 171m high commercial and residential building, designed by the architects Gustav Peichl, Boris Podrecca and Rudolf Weber, was completed in 1999 for the coming of the third Millennium.
Click here to view thumbnails of all participants in the theme day.
