Eastern Europe - Go Before Its Gone ~~

[theblackhole]

Vienna is a fantastic city - a city of grand architecture, of museum, of churches and catherdrals and of palaces and grand happy grounds.

The Schonbrunn Palace...

The Palace with its surrounding buildings and the huge park is one of the most significant cultural monuments in Austria. It was generally used as the summer residence of the Habsburg rulers.... One of the most important cultural monuments in the country, since the 1960s it has been one of the major tourist attractions in Vienna. The palace and gardens illustrate the tastes, interests, and aspirations of successive Habsburg monarchs.

Parliament House along "Ringtrasse"...
Driving along the Ringstrasse is an architectural experience....magnificient buildings with great architecture of different eras and types... Vienna Ring Boulevard is 4 kilometres long and circles the city centre. Take a slow car ride around this Ringtrasse and enjoy the beautiful sights...

St Stephen's Cathedral - Stephansdom

St. Stephen's Cathedral - Stephansdom, one of Vienna’s most famous sights. St. Stephen's Cathedral defines the city centre and has been the heart of Vienna for centuries. It is one of the most famous Viennese sights and was built in 1147 AD. For a long time it was uncontested as highest building in Europe measuring almost 137 m.

Duke Rudolf IV of Habsburg ordered the complete restructuring of the church in Gothic style. In 1359, he laid the cornerstone of the nave with its two aisles. The South Tower, was completed in 1433 (the Viennese have given it the nickname "Steffl," representative of the whole cathedral).

The cathedral has got two very impressive features: The gigantic roof, and the tall, lean tower (136,7 metres of hight). One can find only few gothic towers of such height that were finished in the Middle Ages. Inside the Cathedral there are many art treasures like the tomb of Prince Eugene of Savoy (1754), the Altarpiece of Wiener Neustadt, the pulpit by Anton Pilgram (1514-15), the sepulcher of Emperor Frederik III by Niclas Gerhaert (1467-1513), the watchman`s lookout, a self portrait of the sculptor, and the Gothic winged altar.

The sound of the 'Pummerin', the cathedral's big bell, is used to celebrate New Year in Austria.

 

[theblackhole]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

 

[po2wq]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

vienna is a boring place ...

but @ kärntner strasse, iz nice 2 ogle angmo charbor ...

 

[theblackhole]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

Have you been to Bratislava? Where is this place?

Bratislava or Pozsony in Hungarian and Pressburg in German, is the capital and largest city in Slovakia. It has a population of almost 450,000 and is the administrative, cultural and economic centre of the country. Before 1919, it was known as Prešporok in Slovak.

Bratislava has a very pleasant medieval inner city with narrow, winding streets, a hill-top castle next to the river Danube, and many historic churches and buildings to visit. The old town is centered on two squares, Hlavne namestie (main square) and Hviezdoslavovo namestie (Hviezdoslav square, named after a famous Slovak poet). Of a rather different architectural character are some of the communist-era buildings found in the modern parts of the city; a prime example is Petrzalka housing estate, the biggest Communist-era concrete block housing complex in Central Europe, which stretches on endlessly just across the river. Move further east and there are plenty of rural places to explore. Farms, vineyards, agricultural land, and tiny villages are situated less than 50 kilometres to the north and east of Bratislava.

Today, Bratislava and its surroundings form the second-most prosperous region in Central and Eastern Europe, with a per capita GDP of around 167% of the EU-27 average (after Prague).

Are they real? Busking in grand style!!! Busking is an art here!!!

 

[theblackhole]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

BRATISLAVA - THE BEAUTY ON THE DANUBE

Bratislava – one of the oldest Celtic towns, the boarder of Roman empire, the important centre of Slavic Empire of Great Moravia, the western bulwark of Hungarian Kingdom, the last marine port of Danube during the Middle Ages, the town of merchants and craftsmen with rich vineculture tradition, the Coronation town of Hungarian Kings , the residence of the highest royal administration body, the place of harmonic coexistence of Germans, Hungarians, Slovaks, the centre of Judaism and Slovak national revival in 19th century, the capital city of Slovak republic, the bulwark of resistance against communism, the oasis of parks and greenness, rich cultural life and delightful atmosphere,the city of famous celebrities, musicians, writers and inventors.

Today one of the youngest European metropolis get unprecedented development of cultural and economic life. Due to courage to reforms is one of the two cities of Central Europe that overlap average gross domestic product of European Union. Constantly modernizing city is the centre of social and culural life in Slovak republic and is becoming more discovered destination for tourists.

 

[theblackhole]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

Majestic Parliament House - Budapest

This is a majestic beauty as you sailed along the River Danube...Simply breath-taking......

The Hungarian Parliament Building (Hungarian: Országház) is the seat of the National Assembly of Hungary, one of Europe's oldest legislative buildings, a notable landmark of Hungary and a popular tourist destination of Budapest. It lies in Lajos Kossuth Square, on the bank of the Danube, in Budapest. It is currently the largest building in Hungary, and the second largest Parliament in Europe.

Budapest was united from three cities in 1873 and seven years later the National Assembly resolved to establish a new, representative Parliament Building, expressing the sovereignty of the nation. A competition was published, which was won by Imre Steindl, but the plans of the other two competitors were also realized, facing the Parliament: one serves today as the Ethnographical Museum, the other as the Ministry of Agriculture.

Construction from the winning plan was started in 1885 and the building was inaugurated on the 1000th anniversary of the country in 1896, and completed in 1904. (The architect of the building went blind before its completion.)

There were about one thousand people working on its construction in which 40 million bricks, half a million precious stones and 40 kilograms (88 lb) of gold were used. After World War II the diet became single-chambered and the government uses only a small portion of the building today. In the communist regime a red star perched on the top of the dome, that was removed in 1990. Mátyás Szűrös declared the Hungarian Republic from the balcony facing Kossuth Lajos tér on 23d October in 1989.

Similar to the Palace of Westminster, it was built in Gothic Revival style; it has a symmetrical facade and a central dome. It is 268 m (879 ft) long and 123 m (404 ft) wide. Its interior includes 10 courtyards, 13 passenger and freight elevators, 27 gates, 29 staircases and 691 rooms (including more than 200 offices). With its height of 96 m (315 ft), it is one of the two tallest buildings in Budapest, along with Saint Stephen's Basilica. The number 96 refers to the nation's millennium, 1896, and the conquest of the later Kingdom of Hungary in 896.

The main façade faces the River Danube, but the official main entrance is from the square in front of the building. Inside and outside, there are altogether 242 sculptures on the walls.

On the façade, statues of Hungarian rulers, Transylvanian leaders and famous military people are to be seen. Over the windows, there are pictures of coats of arms of kings and dukes. The main entrance is the stairs located on the eastern side, bordered by two lions.

 

[theblackhole]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

vienna is a boring place ...

but @ kärntner strasse, iz nice 2 ogle angmo charbor ...

yah agree. quiet, peaceful and rather boring. good for students of architecture and european history

 

[theblackhole]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

Budapest is one of the greatest capital cities of the world with a wonderful setting along the two banks of the Danube, a bewildering eclectic architectural heritage and a stunning atmosphere. While not all is rosy in the bustling capital of Hungary (there are tons of neglected and crumbling 100-year-old buildings), Budapest is full of architectural gems (for example iconic Heroes' Square and the Chain Bridge), atmospheric streets, has several pleasant parks and islands, and of course the majestically flowing river Danube, which cuts the city into two parts: Pest and Buda. Pest is completely flat (this includes downtown Budapest), while Buda is a hilly area, and includes two of the most popular vantage points of the city: Castle Hill and Gellért Hill....Interesting city indeed.

Nice cruise down the River Danube ...simply beautiful and breath-taking....

 

[theblackhole]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

St Matthias Church ...This is a very interesting church where the architecture is a reflection of the political and religious history...truly remarkable!!!

Located in the heart of the Castle District, Matthias Church was built in the 13th century and was Budapest’s first parish church. However, the original church structure changed many times as it was constantly being renovated and refashioned in the popular architectural style of each era.

The church takes its more common name from King Matthias, who ruled from 1458-90, well-known as a patron of the arts and enlightenment and revered for reconstructing the Hungarian state after years upon years of feudal anarchy. Matthias donated the two grand towers of the church and you’ll find his crest emblazoned on the south tower.

In 1541, when the Turks captured Buda, The Church of Our Lady became a mosque. The ruling regime shipped precious ecclesiastical treasures off to Bratislava and, appallingly, whitewashed over the ornate frescoes that graced the walls of the church. Beautiful interior furnishings were stripped out and discarded.

When the Turks were overthrown in 1686, local architects and builders made attempts to restore the church in the popular Baroque style of the era. Most consider the attempts a failure.


In the late 19th century, architect Frigyes Schulek is credited with largely restoring St. Matthias Church to its original splendor. Schulek adhered to the original 13th century plans for the church and also uncovered a number of original Gothic elements lost for centuries. He added magnificent diamond patterned roof tiles and gargoyles, which visitors can still admire today.

Throughout the centuries, the church has remained a preferred site for celebratory events, such as royal weddings and coronations.

 

[po2wq]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

... Nice cruise down the River Danube ...simply beautiful and breath-taking....

ya, man! ...

dey wil play u blue danube while ze boat cruises ...


if u go 2 ze heroes square from ze parliamen haus area, u go thru ze andrássy avenue ... njoy ze view along ze spacious avenue dat is lined wif trees n magnificent villas ...

 

[kopiuncle]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

ya, man! ...

dey wil play u blue danube while ze boat cruises ...


if u go 2 ze heroes square from ze parliamen haus area, u go thru ze andrássy avenue ... njoy ze view along ze spacious avenue dat is lined wif trees n magnificent villas ...

yes the andrassy avenue is fantastically clean, neat, shady and straight....

 

[neddy]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

I extended my stay in Salzburg so that I can spend the entire day at Schloss Hellbrunn and its trick fountains

Bring a change of clothings and a towel in case you get wet.

Ask your girlfriend to sit here and you becomes a .......... douchebag.

This photo does not convey the grandeur of this display "theatre", esp when it is opened for "performance"

 

[neddy]

Re: Eastern Europe - Vienna

If you are in this part of the world, enjoy some special pork. I am not referring to berkshire pigs.

This is not a sheep, but a woolie pig!

It is not marbled pork but taste more like beef. Anyone tried spreading lard on bread?

I have to thank a Hungarian-Aussie taxi driver who introduce me to Mangalitsa, when riding on his taxi to the Perth airport for a flight to Wien.

 

[neddy]

Vienna is a fantastic city - a city of grand architecture, of museum, of churches and catherdrals and of palaces and grand happy grounds.

Wien comes alive when you are listening to classical music while enjoy the places.

Summer is a good time to visit when there are festivals.

Do not be surprised if a person in baroque period costumes approach you to ask if you want tickets to the Vienna Mozart Orchestra, which is performed in the beautiful Musikverein.


Found this Malaysian blog which describe his experience.
http://nelsonchin.blogspot.com.au/2009/05/classical-music-in-vienna.html

He has similar taste to mine, opting for the best experience, even if you do not like classical music. this is worth going. You will remember the experience for life!

"if you have the cash, spend it on the best"

 

[po2wq]

Wien comes alive when you are listening to classical music while enjoy the places ...

wait til u listen 2 beethoven in germany n schumann's 3rd symphony @ ze rhine ...

... Do not be surprised if a person in baroque period costumes approach you to ask if you want tickets to the Vienna Mozart Orchestra, which is performed in the beautiful Musikverein.

kena b4 ... but me politely declined ...

 

[neddy]

wait til u listen 2 beethoven in germany n schumann's 3rd symphony @ ze rhine ...


kena b4 ... but me politely declined ...

Listen to the easy listening ones lah. Not the types used to exercise the pianist fingers.

Imagine Paris without the cars. and Vienna with SUITABLE music.

A volunteer guide I had recommend one. She was a music student. One thing I like about the place is that volunteers drop in to explain paintings or offer to bring you around and explain things.

 

[theblackhole]

Beautiful Prague...City of Spires!!!

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Nicknames for Prague have included Praga mater urbium/Praha matka měst ("Prague – Mother of Cities") in Latin/Czech, Stověžatá Praha ("City of a Hundred Spires") in Czech or Zlaté město/Goldene Stadt ("Golden City") in Czech/.

Situated on the Vltava River in central Bohemia, Prague has been the political, cultural and economic centre of the Czech state for more than 1,100 years. For many decades during the Gothic and Renaissance eras, Prague was the permanent seat of two Holy Roman Emperors and thus was also the capital of the Holy Roman Empire.

At the present time the city proper is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 1.9 million.

Since 1992, the extensive historic centre of Prague has been included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, making the city one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, receiving more than 4.1 million international visitors annually, as of 2009, Prague is classified as an alpha- world city.

St Vitus Cathedral...

 

[eatshitndie]

yes! go before hordes of ah tiong swarm the place and start dumping woolie pigs into the danube. i'm already seeing large tiong hordes in luxembourg and other small, quiet, idyllic western european cities.

 

[kopiuncle]

yes! go before hordes of ah tiong swarm the place and start dumping woolie pigs into the danube. i'm already seeing large tiong hordes in luxembourg and other small, quiet, idyllic western european cities.

they are the ones bringing all the tourist dollars to europe...go to any of the branded shops, you see china nationals swarming the place...the chinese are now the world's richest tourists - high spenders. they are mad about branded goods.

 

[Raiders]

Can anyone come up with a itinieary for "Europe By Rail"?

Thank you guys for keeping this section alive. 3 more days and I'll be back in action