Danube River Cruise #33: Schonbrunn Palace Part 4: Ghost of Napoleon Room

In this 33rd blog about the Viking River Cruise on the Danube, we are still in Austria, and the Schonbrunn Palace where you will now meet the 4th ghosts we encountered. The Ghost of Napoleon Room !

Napolean Room

THE NAPOLEON ROOM - This room has quite a history. French Emperor Napoleon had visited the Schonbrunn Palace and stayed there. He later offered his daughter, Maria Louise's hand in marriage to one of the Habsburg men after he conquered the territory. So, in 1810, Maria Louise married into the Habsburg family.

ABOUT THE NAPOLEON ROOM - Today known as the Napoleon Room, this was previously the bedroom shared by Franz Stephan and Maria Theresa from 1746. During the nineteenth century it was refurbished several times, as revealed by restoration work carried out in 2007.

 FLASH FORWARD - Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo in 1850.

THE GHOST - As I walked in the Napoleon Room, I experienced a very heavy feeling pressing down on my chest. There was also a dull pain in my chest, as if it were difficult to breathe.

Napoleon II, Portrait by Moritz Daffinger

WHO IS THE GHOST? I learned the Napoleon's son stayed in Vienna, and this was his room. He contracted tuberculosis and died in that very room at age 21. The bed he died on still remains in that room today and there is a marble sculpture of him . Napoleon's son continues to haunt the very room he stayed in during his visits, and the room in which he died.

ABOUT NAPOLEON II- Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte (20 March 1811 – 22 July 1832), Prince Imperial, King of Rome, known in the Austrian court as Franz from 1814 onward, Duke of Reichstadt from 1818, was the son of Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, and his second wife, Archduchess Marie Louise of Austria. In 1832, he caught pneumonia and was bedridden for several months. His poor health eventually overtook him and on 22 July 1832 Franz died of tuberculosis at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.[8] He left no issue; thus the Napoleonic claim to the throne of France passed to his cousin, Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte, who later successfully restored the empire as Napoleon III.

WEIRD FACT- Some of Napoleon II's organs REMAIN in the Schonbrunn Palace. The rest of his remains were transferred to Paris, but his heart and intestines remained in Schonbrunn, which is traditional for members of the Habsburg house. They are in Urn 42 in the "Heart Crypt" (Herzgruft) and his viscera are in Urn 76 of the Ducal Crypt.
**THAT'S why he's here. He wants all of his remains put in the same place next to his father's remains.""

NEXT: TO KREBS, AUSTRIA

Danube River Cruise #32: Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace Part 3: Stallions Room Ghost

Stallions Room

In today's blog, Danube River Cruise #32:, we're going to introduce you to two more ghosts we encountered in Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace. These ghosts were in the Stallion Room and the Napoleon Room and I was able to determine their identities!


THE STALLIONS ROOM
The Stallions Room was used as a dining room during the nineteenth century. Displayed here today is the so-called Marshal’s Table, a festively decorated table set for a dinner of the highest-ranking military officers and court officials, who dined without the emperor, as was customary in Franz Joseph’s time.

Franz Joseph

THE GHOST - It was when I walked into this room ,that I experienced a sharp pain in my heart, and realized that it was a male ghost who was telling me he died here of a heart attack. I also heard the ghost call out the name "Franz!" I didn't know who Franz was until later. Then I learned that he was rule Maria Theresa's husband! What's more, I also learned that Franz died of a heart attack... so he was sharing his pain of death with me to prove his identity and told me his name.  I'm unsure why he's in the Stallions room,but it was a room where he and his wife entertained a lot- and perhaps it was his favorite room.

WHO WAS FRANZ JOSEPH? - Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary (ruled 1848–1916)
Born 18 August 1830 Vienna (Schönbrunn Palace)
Died 21 November 1916 Vienna (Schönbrunn Palace)
Franz Joseph ascended the throne of the Austrian Empire in 1848. His concept of rulership was informed by a great sense of duty and mission. After the upheavals of the 1848 revolution he endeavoured to re-establish the legitimacy of monarchical rule and to hold together the multinational state that was threatening to break apart. He was forced to make far-reaching concessions, notably in the creation of the dual monarchy through the Compromise with Hungary in 1867 and in consenting to a constitution.


NEXT: THE GHOST IN THE NAPOLEON ROOM

Danube River Cruise #31: Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace- Part 2: Two Ghosts

The Lantern Room - filled with residual anxiety

In today's blog about our Viking River Cruise, we're still in the Schonbrunn Palace in Austria. Since the palace prevents photography, I had to use photos from the Palace website to show you the rooms in which there was either a ghost or residual energy.
  For those who don't know, we both belong to a paranormal investigation group. I've been able to sense people and pets who have passed since I was a teenager, and there were definitely earth-bound ghosts in this palace.  In today's blog you'll visit the Lantern Room and the Carousel Room where I met one of those ghosts.  

Lantern Room- Residual Energy of Anxiety
ABOUT THE ROOM: Before electric lighting was installed in the palace the lantern-bearers used to wait in this room. Their task was to light the way of the imperial family or members of the court household after dark. The room is also remarkable for the marble door panelling dating from the time of Joseph I.

The Carousel Room

THE ENERGY: Upon entering the room, I (Rob) felt a lot of anxiety (the previous room had no energy). I learned that servants had to light candles in this room for residents. The anxiety those servants experienced was likely impressed upon the walls, and that's what I felt.

Carousel Room
ABOUT THE ROOM:  The Carousel Room served as the antechamber to the apartments of Maria Theresa and Franz Stephan of Lorraine in the East Wing of the palace.  This room has a mural of the 1720s with Spanish horses. 
WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS ROOM? - Maria Theresa's father died in this room in 1790. He had eaten mushrooms that
turned out to be poisonous.

Charlex VI

WHO WAS HER FATHER? Charles VI (1 October 1685 – 20 October 1740;) succeeded his elder brother, Joseph I, as Holy Roman Emperor, King of Bohemia (as Charles II), King of Hungary and Croatia, Serbia and Archduke of Austria (as Charles III) in 1711.

THE GHOST IN THE ROOM - As I entered this large room, I suddenly got very, very dizzy to the point where I felt like I was going to fall over. They I experienced a pain in my heart. I realized that it was the pain that Maria Theresa's father experienced from the poisoning, and felt that he was still there.

NEXT: Ghosts in the Stallion and Napoleon Rooms

Danube River Cruise #29: Vienna's 5 Amazing Pastries, and 2 places we missed

Star Wars movie "Death Star" cake

In today's blog, we continue to walk you through some of the sights of Vienna, Austria - from our May cruise on the Danube River. In this blog, we stopped into the Sloka Vienna Coffeehouse. We learned of 5 famous Viennese pastries and found 2 amazing cakes on display. You'll also see 2 places Rob missed on the rainy visit.

Cake of St.Stephen's Church

2 AMAZING CAKES- There are a lot of bakeries in Vienna. Unfortunately, because it was pouring rain, they were all packed and we couldn't get waited on to enjoy any treats... so we took pictures of famous cakes made for a competition. One was of the local St. Stephen's church, and another of the Star Wars movie "Death Star." How they made a round cake, we have no idea. 
  The pastries for sale, however, were made from recipes, many of which date back to the Austro-Hungarian empire.

BEST APPLE STRUDEL - We DID get to enjoy Vienna's famous and highly recommended Apple Strudel later that day when we visited the Schonbrunn Palace. The Strudel was awesome!!
ABOUT THE "APFELSTRUDEL" - The apple strudel is a classic and probably the best known Viennese pastry outside of Austria. The word strudel derives from the German word meaning ‘whirlpool’ referring to the super thin layers of flaky pastry – similar to filo – which is rolled up encasing the filling. Strudel is traditionally served in thin slices revealing the swirl pattern of pastry and apple. The filling itself is made of tart cooking apples, sugar, cinnamon, raisins and breadcrumbs. The final result is a wonderful contrast between the flaky outer layers of pastry and the slightly stodgy interior, the sticky-sweet filling and the fresh bite of the thinly sliced apples. It is simple, unpretentious and delicious. (Description courtesy of the Culturetrip.com)

SOME OTHER FAMOUS LOCAL PASTRIES: 

Apple Strudel

1) Sachertorte - The cake consists of two layers of dense chocolate sponge with a thin layer of apricot jam between them, all covered in a thick layer of shiny chocolate ganache.
2) Mohnzelten - a sweet poppy seed paste encased in a potato pastry forming small domes that are then baked. The slightly salty pastry, with a texture similar to shortcrust, offsets the sweetness of the filling. Other fillings include strawberries or nuts, however, the poppy seed version is the original.

Dunkin Donuts, Vienna

3) Kardinalschnitte - This pastry consists of wrapping layers of soft meringue and genoise sponge around a thick cylinder of cream. The resulting oblong-shaped sausages are then sliced up into their final schnitten (slices). The alternating yellow of the sponge and white of the meringue are supposed to resemble the pope’s robe (hence the name: ‘Cardinal’s slice’). The cream can be flavoured with coffee, vanilla, chocolate and strawberry
4) Punschkrapfen - also known as 'punch-cake’, has a hot-pink icing and glacée cherry or fancy chocolate piping. The small squares are made up of layers of cake crumbs, nougat, chocolate and apricot jam. The whole beautiful thing is soaked in rum!


TWO PLACES WE MISSED - Rob found Dunkin' Donuts and a comic book store on our mad dash for the tour bus, so we couldn't enjoy either one.. and we didn't see any others throughout the entire trip. But it's good to know they exist there!

A Comic Book Shop we didn't have time to visit

NEXT: Schonbrunn Palace

Danube River Cruise #28: Vienna's Plaque Pillar & St.Stephen's

The Plague Pillar

In today's blog about our May vacation on a Viking River Cruise down the Danube River, we are taking you through Vienna, Austria. Today we'll tell you about a sculpture called "The Plague Pillar," located in a large public area.

WHAT IS THE PLAGUE PILLAR or COLUMN? 
This monument was erected on the Graben, a street in the downtown area of Vienna. It's also called Pestsäule in German, and is also known as the Trinity Column. It was erected after the Great Plague epidemic in 1679, the Baroque memorial is one of the most well-known and prominent sculptural pieces of art in the city.

HOW DID IT COME ABOUT? In 1679, Vienna experienced one of the last big plague epidemics. Fleeing the city, the Habsburg emperor Leopold I vowed to erect a mercy column if the epidemic would end. In the same year, a provisional wooden column made by Johann Frühwirth was inaugurated, showing the Holy Trinity on a Corinthian column together with nine sculpted angels (for the Nine Choirs of Angels).

St. Stephens

WHAT IS ON THE MONUMENT?
 In 1683, Matthias Rauchmiller was commissioned to create a general design as well as some sculptures. Rauchmiller died in 1686, but his basic conception and three of his angel figures can still be seen on the modern monument. Below the Trinity figure, Burnacini envisioned a cloud pyramid with angel sculptures as well as the kneeling emperor Leopold, praying to a sculpture of faith. Among others, the sculptors Tobias Kracker and Johann Bendel contributed to the column. The column was inaugurated in 1694

WHAT WAS ST. STEPHEN'S? - St. Stephen's Cathedral (more commonly known by its German title: Stephansdom) is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vienna and the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna, Christoph Cardinal Schönborn, OP. The current Romanesque and Gothic form of the cathedral, seen today in the Stephansplatz, was largely initiated by Duke Rudolf IV (1339–1365) and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches, the first a parish church consecrated in 1147. The most important religious building in Vienna, St. Stephen's Cathedral has borne witness to many important events in Habsburg and Austrian history and has, with its multi-coloured tile roof, become one of the city's most recognizable symbol

NEXT: AMAZING CAKES OF VIENNA
 

Danube River Cruise #27: Vienna's Famous Spanish Riding School

a Look at the arena

In Blog #27 of our May vacation seeing 5 countries in 7 days, we're still in Vienna. Today we'll tell you about one of the most famous horseback riding schools in the world, that has been around over 450 years! You'll learn about the horses, the superstition about them and the 3 stages of training. Read on!

IT'S IN THE WINTER PALACE! - The Spanish Riding School is located in the Winter Palace. It's dedicated to the preservation of classical dressage and the training of Lipizzaner horses, based in Vienna, Austria, whose performances in the Hofburg are also a tourist attraction. The leading horses and riders of the school also periodically tour and perform worldwide. It is one of the "Big Four", the most prestigious classical riding academies in the world, alongside the Cadre Noir, the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, and the Royal Andalusian School.

morning exercise. Credit: Musement.com

OVER 450 YEARS OLD - The riding school was first named during the Habsburg Monarchy in 1572, long before the French manege of Antoine de Pluvinel, and is the oldest of its kind in the world.[2] Records show that a wooden riding arena was first commissioned in 1565, but it wasn't until 1729 that Emperor Charles VI commissioned the architect Joseph Emanuel Fischer von Erlach to build the white riding hall used today. Prior to that time, the School operated from a wooden arena at the Josefsplatz. For a time, the riding hall was used for various ceremonies, but it is now open to the public, who may witness the training and performances by the stallions. The Winter Riding School was built between 1729–1735


WHY NAMED SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL? - The Spanish Riding School was named for the Spanish horses that formed one of the bases of the Lipizzan breed, which is used exclusively at the school. 

HORSE FACT- There are 72 horses. 70 White, 2 Brown. 

SUPERSTITION - As long as there is 1 brown horse in the school, the school will remain lucrative and stay open.

STALLIONS TRAINED IN 3 STAGES

Crest for the school

1) Remontenschule: ("forward riding") This stage begins when the horse is first brought to the Spanish Riding School as a 4-year-old. The stallion is taught to be saddled and bridled, and is started on the longe to teach him the aids, to improve his obedience, and to strengthen his muscles in preparation for a rider.
2) Campagneschule: ("campaign school") The horse is usually ready for the second stage after a year of riding in the first stage, although this time-frame is always adjusted to the individual horse.
3) Hohe Schule: ("high school" or Haute Ecole) In this stage, the rider will gradually push the horse to perfection in straightness, contact, suppleness, collection, and impulsion, to produce improved gaits.

NEXT: ST. PETERS AND THE "PLAGUE PILLAR" 

Danube River Cruise #26: Vienna's Winter Palace,Greek Gods, Moat, Roman Ruins

Hercules and Antaeust

Aeneas saving his father Anchises

Hercules ficaptures Cerberus

We love mythology and especially statues of the muscular, hunky Greek Gods... and there
were several of them around Austria's Winter Palace in Vienna. We'll tell you about them and show them to you in today's blog. You'll also see the oldest door and moat. Read on.

STATUES OF THE GODS - Fischer von Erlach designed bas-reliefs depicting military scenes from ancient Greek mythology—Hercules fighting the giant Antaeust, and Aeneas saving his father Anchises from burning Troy. 

PURPOSE - These images from the classical world are meant to invoke Prince Eugene's glorious military accomplishments.

HERCULES AND ANTAEUST- Antaeus was the half-giant son of Poseidon and Gaia. His wife was the goddess Tinge, and he had a daughter named Alceis or Barce. He was famed for his loss to Heracles as part of his twelve Labors.

AENEAS AND ANCHISES - During the fall of Troy, Aeneas makes his way home to save Anchises, his wife Creusa, and his son Ascanius. ... Aeneas carries Anchises on his back, Anchises carries their household gods, and Ascanius walks beside his father as they all flee Troy. Creusa was following behind them but is killed during the escape

HERCULES AND CEREBRUS - Hercules final labor was to capture Cerberus, the three headed dog that guarded the underworld. Hercules got permission to take Cerberus from Hades, but Hades told him he could only have him if Hercules subdued him without using any weapons

The porte cochere of Winter Palace, Vienna.

Horse and Carriage at The porte cochere

THE PORTE COCERE - The area where horse drawn carriages dropped off passengers was ornate, tall and beautiful. It was topped by a dome.  Outside of this area were the Greek statutes you just read about! 

ROMAN RUINS DISCOVERED - Just outside of the Porte Cocere was an excavation in progress where ruins from an ancient Roman settlement were unearthed.

Ancient Roman Ruins

Oldest palace entrance

MOAT AND OLDEST PALACE DOOR - On the other side of the Porte Cochere, close to where Hitler gave his speech annexing Austria into Germany was the oldest door of the palace and the evidence of a dried up palace moat. 

NEXT: THE SPANISH RIDING SCHOOL WITHIN THE PALACE

The Moat

Danube River Cruise #25: Vienna's Winter Palace, Hitler's Speech and Annexation of Austria

Winter Palace of Prince Eugene

Today's blog provides you with an introduction to the Habsburg Family's Winter (or City) Palace. You read about them a couple of blogs ago, and about how Mozart played here. This is also the site of where Adolf Hitler made a speech. Now we'll show you and tell you about the palace.

ABOUT THE WINTER PALACE - The Winter Palace of Prince Eugene, also known as the City Palace, is a high-Baroque palace in the "Innere Stadt" district of Vienna, Austria. Located on a narrow street at Himmelpfortgasse 8, the palace was used as the winter residence of Prince Eugene of Savoy, who spent his summers at the Belvedere.
Address: Himmelpfortgasse 8, 1010 Wien, Austria 
Stats: 53 acres, 19 courtyards, 18 buildings, 2,600 rooms. 
Architects: The Winter Palace was designed and constructed by Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach from 1695 to 1700, and by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt from 1702 to 1724 following his predecessor's plans.
Architectural style: Baroque architecture

PALACE USE OVER TIME - The palace was acquired through auction by Empress Maria Theresa for the imperial court in 1738, along with most of the prince's other buildings. In 1752, the palace was converted by Nicolò Pacassi into the seat of various state institutions. The palace housed the Finance Ministry of the Austrian Empire from 1848 to 1918 and the dissolution of the Habsburg Empire. Since 1919, the palace has housed the Ministry of Finance. From 2007 to 2013, the palace was extensively renovated. The Winter Palace of Prince Eugene is considered "one of the most magnificent Baroque edifices in Vienna"

The Hitler Speech Balcony

HITLER ANNOUNCES AUSTRIA GETS ANNEXED TO GERMANY - Adolf Hitler's ceremonial announcement of the Austrian Anschluss  (Annexation of Austria) to Nazi Germany on March 15, 1938. 

FAST FACT- Hitler was an Austria born German.

Palace layout

SCARY ! A MAJORITY OF AUSTRIANS WELCOMED HITLER - Hitler's journey through Austria became a triumphal tour that climaxed in Vienna on 15 March 1938, when around 200,000 cheering German Austrians gathered around the Heldenplatz (Square of Heroes) to hear Hitler say that "The oldest eastern province of the German people shall be, from this point on, the newest bastion of the German Reich"

THE HORROR - NAZI ATTACKS JEWS IMMEDIATELY - The campaign against the Jews began immediately after the Anschluss (the merge of Austria with Germany) They were driven through the streets of Vienna, their homes and shops were plundered. November  9–10 , 1938 all synagogues and prayer houses in Vienna were destroyed, as well as in other Austrian cities such as Salzburg. Most Jewish shops were plundered and closed. Over 6,000 Jews were arrested overnight, the majority deported to Dachau concentration camp in the following days..


NEXT - GREEK STATUES ON THE PALACE

Danube River Cruise #24: Vienna's Opera House and 2 Odd Deaths

Inside the Opera House

In today's blog, we'll show you and tell you about the famous state Opera House. We drove by it in the bus because it was pouring rain! Regardless, it's an amazing building and we'll show you some pictures of it (thanks to the Internet), and tell you a story about 2 mysterious deaths associated with the building. Read on!


ABOUT THE OPERA HOUSE - The Vienna State Opera is an Austrian opera house and opera company based in Vienna, Austria. It was originally called the Vienna Court Opera. In 1920, with the replacement of the Habsburg Monarchy by the First Austrian Republic, it was renamed the Vienna State Opera.

FAST FACTS - It seats 1,709 people. It offers nearly 300 performances each year.
OPENED- May 25, 1869
STYLE - Renaissance Revival architecture

Outside of the Opera House

FIRST PUBLIC BUILDING - The Opera House was built as the first public building along the Vienna Ringstrasse.
ARCHITECTS - Eduard van der Nüll, August Sicard von Sicardsburg, Josef Hlávka, Erich Boltenstern


THE TWO ODD DEATHS- In 1860, the project had been submitted to competition and won by the two architects: Eduard van der Nüll, and August Sicard von Sicardsburg.
   Their design failed to match the monumentality of the Heinrichshof  building - another building that was highly regarded. (The Heinrichshof was Built in 1860 and encompassed three building lots and was comprised of several apartment buildings) - The Heinrichschof  was destroyed in World War II. 
   Some people were have said to call this new Opera House a "train station."
"HATED IT" - Criticism from both the Emperor and a press campaign against the pair of architects described the disappointment of the Viennese public and suggested that the building was merely a half-success. After the street level in front of the opera house was raised by a meter, (3 feet) the opera was described as the "sunken chest" and - in analogy to the military disaster of 1866 - "the Königgratz of Construction."

Eduard van der Nüll

1)  Eduard van der Nüll was deeply troubled by the criticism and hanged himself on April 4, 1868. 
2)  His partner Sicardsburg died nearly 10 weeks later, diagnosed with tuberculosis. 
IDIOT ALERT - It was said that the Emperor had been so shocked by the suicide of Eduard van der Nüll, that from then on he responded to all new art phenomena with the standard phrase, "It was very beautiful, I liked it a lot."

Eduard van der Nüll was buried in an honorary grave in Vienna's Central Cemeter.  In 1875, the Van-der-Nüll street in the Favoriten District of Vienna was named after him. 

NEXT: Marching to the Imperial Palace in the Rain

Danube River Cruise #23: Vienna's Famous Street, and TWO Johann Strausses

The Vienna Skyline from the bus

In today's blog our Danube River Cruise vacation continues exploring the sights and sounds of Vienna, Austria. Yesterday you learned about Mozart, today you'll learn about two Johann Strausses, and the most famous street in the city. Read on! 

Rainy Vienna from the bus tour

WHAT'S VIENNA'S MOST POPULAR STREET?  The Ringstrasse is a circular grand boulevard that serves as a ring road around the historic Innere Stadt district of Vienna, Austria. The road is located where medieval city fortifications once stood, including high walls and the broad open field ramparts, criss-crossed by paths that lay before them. It's about 3.2 miles long!  Now, there are stores, shops, and amazing historic buildings there. 

On Ring Road in the Rain

Johann Strauss I

JOHANN STRAUSS I - (March 14, 1804 – September 25, 1849) was an Austrian Romantic composer. He was famous for his waltzes, and he popularized them alongside Joseph Lanner, thereby setting the foundations for his sons to carry on his musical dynasty. He is perhaps best known for his composition of the Radetzky March (named after Joseph Radetzky von Radetz). 
ENJOY THE 3 MINUTE RADETZKY MARCH: https://youtu.be/xToFOzD0M8E
 

JOHANN STRAUSS II -  (born October 25, 1825 —died June 3, 1899 ). Strauss was born into a Catholic family in St Ulrich near Vienna (now a part of Neubau), to the composer Johann Strauss I. His paternal great-grandfather was a Hungarian Jew – a fact which the Nazis, who lionised Strauss's music as "so German", later tried to conceal.
 
FAST FACT - The Blue Danube Waltz is the unofficial Austrian Anthem

Johann Strauss II

WHAT IS STRAUSS II FAMOUS FOR? - He was known as "the Waltz King,” a composer famous for his Viennese waltzes and operettas. ... He studied the violin without his father's knowledge, however, and in 1844 conducted his own dance band at a Viennese restaurant. He composed the famous "Blue Danube Waltz" performed by Zygmunt Nitkiewicz - conductor Symphony Orchestra of The Józef Marcin Żebrowski Music School in Częstochowa, Poland (These students are amazing) 
LISTEN/WATCH: https://youtu.be/vtWQ1fDjaRc 


NEXT: The Opera House and 2 Mysterious Deaths

Danube River Cruise #22: Vienna's 10 Mozart Attractions

Mozart monument

In this 22nd blog about our Danube River Cruise trip in May, 2019, we're still in Vienna and we'll explore the 10 Mozart attractions in the city (even though we only saw a few in the driving, cold rain). We'll also tell you how Mozart wound up in Vienna, Austria. Read on !

HOW MOZART WOUND UP VIENNA - According to Visiting Vienna.com,
Back in 1781, Mozart wandered into Vienna’s Deutschordenshaus, where his boss (the Archbishop of Salzburg) was staying, argueda lot and got fired.
He decided to stay in the city as a freelance composer, musician, and teacher, and so a legendary partnership began

10 MOZART ATTRACTIONS IN VIENNA
1) Schoenbrunn Palace. Mozart presented his first concert at the age of six before Empress Maria Theresa at the Hall of Mirrors.
2) Hofburg Palace - Mozart aged 12, again performed for Empress Maria at the magnificent Hofburg Palace, the Habsburg’s winter residence
3) Mozart Monument- in 1896 a grand statue of Mozart was erected inside the Hofburg Palace grounds. It was moved to the Burggarten park in 1953. It’s one of Vienna’s best photo motifs, thanks to the musical symbol written out in flowers in front of the monument.

Mozartwohnung - one of Mozart's residences

4) Stephansdom - Mozart married here in 1782, his children were baptized there. After his death in 1791, his body was blessed in the chapel inside.
5) State Opera House - Completed in 1869 after his death, but opened with the performance of his famous Don Giovanni.
6) Mozart Museum also called "Mozartwohnung" - Now a museum, his former residence at Domgasse 5 was where he occupied the first-floor apartment between 1784 and 1787. Here he composed The Marriage of Figaro. 
This building in Vienna's Old Town, not far from St. Stephen's Cathedral, is his only surviving Viennese residence and is now a museum .  
7) Cafe Frauenhuber - Mozart performed here and other cafes after his concerts were no longer selling out in 1787.
8) Rauhensteingasse  - Former site of his last house where he spent final years (now a department store). He started his unfinished Requiem here

Mozart's grave at St. Marx Cemetery

Source: Wikimedia

9) St. Marx Cemetery/Mozart's Grave - The maestro’s final resting place was in an unmarked grave. Contrary to legend, he wasn’t dumped in some pauper’s mass was an unmarked one. However, there is a memorial on the grave now.

10) Mozart shops - Many in Vienna that sell his music, statues, ,key rings, coffee mugs, glasses . There are Mozart chocolates also, shaped like a violin, guitar and piano.


  NEXT:  Strauss and Vienna's Famous Street 
Then: The Opera House of 2 Odd Deaths

Danube Cruise #21: The Habsburg Ruling Family of Austria

Today's blog about our Danube River Cruise is to give you an important history lesson about the country and region's ruling family, the Habsburg Family. In a later blog, we'll take you to the
Schönbrunn Palace, where they resided. In this blog, you'll learn about the family history and the most famous member of the dynasty - Maria Theresa. So MUCH of Vienna involves this family. Read on!

WHY WAS THERE A HABSBURG DYNASTY - This one family ruled the region of Austria (and surrounding countries) for about 650 years.

WHO WERE THE HABSBURGS - The Habsburgs originated in Swabia, a duchy of southwestern Germany. In 1246 they took control of the duchy of Austria. In the late thirteenth century, Rudolf I became the first of the line to be elected as Holy Roman Emperor; he passed this title on to his son Albert I. In 1438, Albert II succeeded to the title, followed by Frederick III.
After the death of Ferdinand I in 1564, the Habsburg domains were divided among his three sons: Maximilian II became Holy Roman Emperor, and also ruled Bohemia and Austria. Charles and Ferdinand shared Austria. The family continued to hand down rule until Maria Theresa.

1750 portrait of Maria Theresia in Graz

WHO IS MARIA THERESA - Maria Theresa Walburga Amalia Christina was the only female ruler of the Habsburg dominions and the last of the House of Habsburg...Maria Theresa was the Holy Roman Empress and Queen Consort of Germany from September 13, 1745 to August 18, 1765. She was known for reforming the economy and educational system of her empire.<

WHERE DID SHE RULE? She was the ruler of Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Bohemia, Transylvania, Mantua, Milan, Lodomeria and Galicia, the Austrian Netherlands, and Parma.

Born: May 13, 1717, The Hofburg, Vienna, Austria
Died: November 29, 1780, The Hofburg, Vienna, Austria
Nationality: Austrian
Spouse: Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor (m. 1736–1765)
SPOKE MANY LANGUAGES - Maria Theresa spoke German, Italian, French, Spanish, Latin, Czech and she added Hungarian before she became the empress

NEXT: A MUSICAL VIENNA: Raditsky, Strauss, Mozart, Opera House

WATCH THIS 2 MIN. 49 SECOND VIDEO ABOUT MARIA THERESA'S RULE
 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/OyFG3eJwfV8
 

Daunbe Cruise #20: Welcome to Vienna, Austria: Danube Tower and Wheel

The Danube Tower in the rain

Welcome back to our vacation blogs- and this is blog #20of our Viking River Cruise down
the Danube River. We left Slovakia behind and in today's blog we take you to Vienna, Austria! 
NOTE:  We were actually on the cruise in May, and May 22nd was the date we arrived in Vienna, so this is NOT real-time blogging. Today you'll learn about 2 famous city landmarks we drove by on the bus tour: the Danube Tower and the Vienna Wheel! Read on!


ABOUT VIENNA - Vienna, Austria’s capital, lies in the country’s east on the Danube River. Its artistic and intellectual legacy was shaped by residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud. The city is also known for its Imperial palaces, including Schönbrunn, the Habsburgs’ summer residence. In the MuseumsQuartier district, historic and contemporary buildings display works by Egon Schiele, Gustav Klimt and other artists.

THE DANUBE TOWER - The Danube Tower is the tallest building in Austria. In fact, it is used for recreational bungee jumping!
   It now stands in a stylish reinterpretation of the 1960s. The express lift will take you to a viewing terrace 150 meters (492 feet) up in the air, with an unforgettable 360° panoramic view. There is a Tower Restaurant, Tower Café and an observation deck. It's rented out for birthdays, weddings and other functions.Website: https://www.donauturm.at/en

The Vienna Ferris Wheel

THE VIENNA FERRIS WHEEL - The Giant Ferris Wheel in the Prater park is one of the city's symbols. The Prater is a large public park in Vienna's 2nd district. Almost 65 meters (213 feet) tall, it offers a breathtaking view of the city on the Danube.

WHEN BUILT? It was erected in 1897 to mark the 50th year of Emperor Franz Joseph's accession to the throne. It has been an enduring feature of the city's skyline ever since. Situated right near the entrance to the Wurstelprater amusement park, its cabins offer a wonderful view of the city and the Prater. The diameter of the wheel is almost 61 meters (200 feet), the entire iron structure weighs 430 metric tons (474 U.S. tons). The wheel turns at a speed of 2.7 kph (1.6 mph).

FERRIS WHEEL FILM FACT - The Giant Ferris Wheel has also played the "lead role" in several Hollywood films, such as "The Third Man" with Orson Wells or in the James Bond adventure "The Living Daylights" starring Timothy Dalton. That's why it was also placed on the list of Treasures of European Film Culture by the European Film Academy in June 2016.

NEXT: A Look at the Habsburg Ruling Family of Austria