Vienna in The Rain

We had some rainy days this past week. The bad weather didn't prevent people from going for an afternoon walk last Sunday. The street in this photo is Kohlmarkt in the city center, where you can find a lot of luxury shops. The building at the end of the street is the Imperial Palace.

MuseumsQuartier - Fischer von Erlach Wing

The MuseumsQuartier Wien is the eighth largest cultural area in the world and offers space for modern and contemporary art and culture. It combines independent new architecture and revitalized buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries. In imperial times the Baroque Fischer von Erlach Wing housed the horse stables on the ground floor and the residences of employees of the royal court on the upper floor.

At The Window

Looking at artworks can be exhausting sometimes, a window that offers a beautiful view over the roofs is the perfect "excuse" to take a break... This photo was taken in the current pop art exhibition at the MUMOK.

The Photographer

At the MUMOK it is allowed to take photographs (without flash, of course) - one of the reasons I love this museum ;-) I caught this young man photographing a sculpture by Duane Hanson in the exhibition "Ludwig Goes Pop".

Pop Art Lover

A young man looking at a work by Roy Lichtenstein in the current exhibition "Ludwig Goes Pop" (a presentation of the pop art collection of the German industrialists Peter and Irene Ludwig) at the MUMOK (Museum Moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien). I love how his hoody matches the blue of the artwork.

Getting Some Fresh Air

Last Saturday the weather was very beautiful and the temperature was rather mild, it seemed like spring was just around the corner. The city center was crowded with people shopping, taking a walk, sitting in the sun...

Sunday Flowers #141

 

"Happiness held is the seed;

Happiness shared is the flower." - John Harrigan

Public Scale

The first public scale was erected at the trade fair in 1888 on the occasion of Emperor Franz Joseph's 40th throne anniversary and was one of the first coin-operated machines. People were fascinated by this new invention and curious to know their body weight in this simple and cheap way. Even today you can find these small monuments and curious landmarks in the cityscape.

Winter Tree

I'm so fed up with winter, I can't wait that the trees and shrubs sprout leaves...

Look Who's Watching

A face on one of the vases in front of Palais Alserbach, and in the background the Liechtenstein Garden Palace.

Enjoying The Winter Sun

In winter Vienna is frequently covered with high fog, so you have to take advantage of the rare sunrays. Last Saturday I saw this lady soaking up the sun in the Botanical Garden. She stood there for quite a while...

Carnival Sweets

Today is Shrove Tuesday, the last day of the carnival and the last day before Lent. In other words: the last possibility to indulge in some carnival sweets...

Winterly Vineyard

731 hectares of vineyards are located within Vienna's city limit. A better part of them is located on Kahlenberg that I "climbed" yesterday. Down in the "valley" you can vaguely discern the town.

Sunday Flowers #140

"I like to think a flower opens itself to outgrow its plantedness. That it yearns to be carried away." - Author Unknown

Sweets For my Sweet

If your partner has a sweet tooth, you could present her/him with these sweets for today's Valentine's Day.

City Skyliner

The City Skyliner is a temporary attraction (until March 8) in front of the City Hall: A 60 persons accomodating observation capsule goes up to 72m and then rotates pleasantly through 360-degrees. The view must be gorgeous!

Getting Ready...

Tonight is the highlight of the carnival and ball season: The Vienna Opera Ball takes place at the Vienna State Opera. I guess, before waltzing at the Opera House, the ladies will go through a special beauty programme.

Shall we Dance?

Tomorrow night the Vienna Opera Ball will be held at the Vienna State Opera. The ball is THE highlight of the carnival season and a top-calibre social event, attracting celebrities and artists from around the world. This year's poster was designed by German illustrator Kera Till.

Winter Trees

Last Sunday the weather was rather varied  - clouds and snowfall alternated with sunshine, only the chilly wind lasted the whole day through. I took a short walk to enjoy the last sunrays of the day and to take this picture in Volksgarten.

Sunny Day

Last Saturday we were blessed with sunshine and blue sky, so I took a short walk before running errands. I passed by my favourite part of Praterstraße in the second district. The statue in front of this building with the beautiful chic window shutters shows Austrian opera singer, actor and playwright Johann Nestroy.

Sunday Flowers #139

"We cannot stop the winter or the summer from coming.

We cannot stop the spring or the fall or make them other than they are.

They are gifts from the universe that we cannot refuse.

But we can choose what we will contribute to life when each arrives." - Gary Zukav

Strudlhofstiege

The outdooir staircase "Strudlhofstiege", an important Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) work, was opened in November 1910. It is named after the sculptor and painter Peter Strudel who owned property on the street above the staircase. In 1951 the Austrian author Heimito von Doderer published a famous novel named after the staircase: "Die Strudlhofstiege oder Melzer und die Tiefe der Jahre" (The Strudlhof Steps or Melzer and the Depth of the Years).

Façade Detail #37

The head office of the National Bank of Austria in Vienna was designed by architects Ferdinand Glaser and Rudolf Eisler in the style of late classicism and inaugurated in 1925. On top of the main entrance you can see these beautiful decorations.

Sweet Shop

A visit to the K. u. K. Court Confectionary Bakery Demel is a must for every tourist. For those who don't want to consume on site or need sweet souvenirs, there's a beautiful shop with a lot of tempting products.

Let's Dance

The current window decoration of  the K. und K. (Imperial and Royal) Court Confectionary Bakery "Demel" is inspired by the ongoing ball season. The sugarfigures and flowers are all handcrafted, and they are rotating around their axis.

Palais Alserbach

Palais Alserbach was disegned by Heinrich von Ferstel and built for Prince Johann II of Liechtenstein, who used it as his summer residence. Today it serves as office building.

Skating in The City

The square and the park in front of the City Hall have been transformed into a 7.000 sqm ice rink. As you can see, the ice path through the park has to be used in one direction... For more information about the "Vienna Ice World" please click here.

February Theme Day: What Would You Miss?

There are a lot of things that I would miss if I had to leave Vienna forever, but I think there's one activity that I would miss most: my evening bicyle tours on Danube Island and along the Old Danube during the warm season. I'm already looking forward to the first ride in 2015!
Click here to view thumbnails of all participants in the theme day.