The Viennese Waltz

Perhaps the courtliest city in Austria, Vienna is a stunning juxtaposition of courtly grandeur and nouveau hip. It is a city on the verge of major changes will always remain rooted in its imperial past for one reason, the ability of Vienna’s citizens to pay homage to the past in everything they do, from a koffeepause to a stroll around the “the Ring”.

When dancing the Viennese Waltz one must keep their core erect, the only movement flowing from their legs in a glorious combination
of haute grandeur and moderne glamour. This is a regal dance dressed in whimsy, like Vienna itself. The Austrian traits of exuberance and
restraint can immediately be seen when visitors first arrive in the city.

They flock to “the Kiss”, an incredibly beautiful painting that is powerful and passionate, grand and dreamy.

The Austrian capital has seen many wars, skirmishes, and invasions but through it all the creative element of the Viennese citizens has kept the fires of hope burning. The earliest known sculpture, the Venus of Willendorf, was found here on the Danube lowlands and is proof that art has been an important part of life in this area for longer than previously realized.

This fabulous representation of early art is over 24,000 years old and can be viewed at the Natural History Museum in the city.

It is very easy to become overwhelmed when faced with Vienna’s many cultural offerings. It is important to try and focus on several museums and several outdoor experiences in order to get a real feel for the city and its unique lifestyle.

Museums can be found around almost any corner in Vienna. There are perhaps a half dozen that should not be missed. Among these is the “Kunst”, the Kunsthistorisches, a remnant of the mighty Hapsburg Empire. Today the “Kunst” is home to the Royal Art Collection and includes works by old masters including Caravaggio, Titian, and Raphael.

Don’t miss Bruegal the Elder’s “Hunters in the Snow” and Vermeer’s “Allegory of Painting”. Also not to be missed is the 1560 work of
Giuseppe Archimboldo, a bizarre series of paintings celebrating the seasons. Each season is represented by a human head using fruit,
vegetables, twigs, and flowers.

Other not-to-be-missed museums include the Schatzkammer, the Royal Treasury with 20 rooms of Imperial treasures, Mozart House, home to Austria’s most famous composer, and the Natural History Museum, home to the Venus of Willendorf.

The Fabulous Museumquarter is Vienna’s newest cultural center where you will find funky galleries, cafes, theaters, and roving street musicians, a great place to relax after a busy day. MUMOK, the Viennese Museum of Modern Art is located in the quarter.

Vienna is also home to some of the grandest palaces in Europe. The Schloss Schoenbrunn rivals Versailles in grandeur. Schonbrunn
was the summer home of the Haspsburg family and has been called the ultimate palace experience. Visitors can tour the palace’s many rooms and enjoy Palace Park, the palace grounds. This vast park includes the Privy Gardens, a labyrinth, and a zoo that dates back to 1752.

The Hofburg Palace was the formal residence of the Imperial family until 1918. It was originally built as a medieval castle and contains
many treasures given to the Hapsburgs as gifts through the centuries.

On the palace grounds is the famous Spanish riding academy, the Lipizzaner Stallions.

Architecture aficionados can stroll through the city and appreciate the many examples Vienna’s favorite master, Wagner. The 2 Stadt Pavilions, among his most prolific works, are still in use today. One is now a bustling cafe, the other’s stop on the U4 line which includes a museum housing photos of Wagner’s work and blueprints of his grand plans for the city.

Another of Wagner’s works, the Hofpavillion, was used only once. This extraordinary pavilion was erected at Schloss Schoenbrunn in the
18th century for Maria Therese. Wagner’s original wrought iron decorative gates still allow entrance to the pavilion.

Well known for its prominent role in many novels and movies is Prater Park and its Giant Ferris Wheel. This lush park was originally a part of the royal hunting grounds before becoming a carriage path for afternoon entertainments. Today it is a popular place for picnics and the views from the Giant Ferris Wheel cannot be beat.

No tour of Vienna would be complete without a visit to the Ringstrasse. The “Ring” encompasses the heart of Vienna and is built upon the original site of the city’s walls. Visitors can ride streetcar number 1 around the magnificent avenue and see the splendor of the Hapsburg’s Vienna. Disembark to enjoy a koffeejause, the traditional Viennese coffee break taken every afternoon with friends in the city’s many outdoor cafes.

Hip, urban, urbane, funky or courtly, regal, haughty, and staid, like an ethereal Viennese Waltz. Vienna is all of these and more.

Her magnificent Imperial past refuses to give way to the onslaught of the new and the crass creating its own “moderne” cityscape, waltzing
to her own drummer.

Gila Beckermann

BuzzyVoyager.com