Reflections: Wien, Ӧsterreich ~Part 2

Today due to being overheated the past few days and the expected 90 degree weather we decided to do some Museum hopping. All of he major buildings including museums are located on the Ringstraße. The old city wall made way for this street in 1857 commissioned by Emperor Franz Joseph I. The wall had been built in the 13th century with funds acquired from the ransom of Richard I of England.

Kunsthistorisches Museum (Classical Art Museum)

Here at the Kunst we saw the works of Rembrandt, Rafael, Pieter Bruegel, and more. They also had an Egyptian Museum where they showcased mummies, Roman pots, jewelry, Coins, and other artifacts found in the sands of Egypt. This is perhaps one of our favorite museums that we have seen so far. There was just so much to look at.

Schloss Hofberg (Hofberg Imperial Palace)

Although we were not able to go into the Hofberg we did stop and see the Imperial Treasury

Schatz kammer (Habsburgs Imperial Treasury)

The Crown of the Holy Roman Emperor

The Imperial Treasury was somewhat of a letdown. The Treasury contained more robes and weapons than crowns and jewels like you would expect to find in a treasury. The main attraction for me however made up for the lack of glitter; the crown of the Holy Roman Emperor. This Crown was worn by all of the Emperors of the Holy Roman Empire (most notably Charlemagne) since the founding of the Holy Roman Empire around 800 AD.

The Austrian Parliament Building

The Rathaus can be seen from the steps of Parliament

Votivkirche

The Votivkirche or Votive church was the site where in 1853 an attempt to assassinate Emperor Franz Joseph I was made. This Church was built to commemorate the Emperors survival and those who helped apprehend the attempted killer.

Like a lot of the churches that we have seen so far, it is also under restoration. The courtyard in front is full of weeds and the outside is blackened from the soot of car exhaust. Part of it is already restored and is simply beautiful.