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| There were a lot of
buildings with beautifully crafted rooftop ornaments, such as this one
-- likely a family crest. You can find this one just outside the
Museum Quarter on Mariahilfer Strasse. |
This rather bizarre
walking bridge is actually a clock. Note the 'XI', it is the hour
indicator, one of twelve that sit on a rotating belt across the
face. That it is about 3/4 across from L to R is what tells you
the time: 11:45. You can find this about a block northwest
of the Stephansdom. |
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| This shot is
from the upper north part of the City Ring. It shows the small but
colorful Schottenkirche where a small local wine festival was being held
(the green and yellow umbrellas in the background. |
This photograph barely
does justice... this is the rear of the University building, not
far from the Viennese Rathaus. The gilded paintings are as
intricate as they are jaw-dropping. They belie the fact that the
brick facades in between is crumbling. The front of the building
was undergoing restoration when I visited. |
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| This building stood out
because of its color -- the gold matches that of the Schonbrunn Palace,
and the details on the top and corner overhangs (yes, I know there's a
name for it) are very eye-catching. Amongst the grays and whites
of most of the structure, this one was quite unique. |
This one is off the Ring
by a block or two, not far from the Austrian Parliament. I loved
the little garden (not quite in full bloom) that gave this impressive
government structure some character, despite the presence of one of
those God-awful cranes! |
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| Off the beaten track a
bit, you will find the Am Hof (basically follow the roads from
Stephansdom to the NNW). This square is part of a section that
seems to be frequented more by the locals -- indeed I encountered a
small local weinfest there. This beautiful white building is a
Clock Museum. |
Even the foreign
embassies are into the act. This is the French Embassy that is a
short distance from an impressive Soviet war memorial to the southwest
of the Ring. Note the really impressive gold-painted insets in the
gables. Perhaps a subtle reminder how French and the
Habsburgs were once rivals? |
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| It's not often that you
encounter beautifully preserved columns like this. This is one of
the many splended views you will see along the Graben... |
Of course, the cynics
among us will assume that some of the best buildings will belong to a
Bank.... :-) .... Not the flags to the right, overhanging the
"W" sign. This is Vienna's Historical Site marker, one
of hundreds you will see in the downtown. |
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| The last two structures
in this gallery are churches. While both of them are Catholic
churches, I found it very, very odd that both of them sport a
very Eastern look. In particular this one, the Karlskirche just
southwest of the Ring. This church also houses a museum and fronts
one of the city parks. |
Last but
certainly not least is this shot of the beautiful Vienna Staatstheater
(city theater). This is yet another brilliant white building with
ornate gold trim. Nice. |
