KARLSKIRCHE (ST.CHARLES CHURCH) IN VIENNA

Situated at one of the most popular and central node in Vienna,  the 'Karlsplatz' is one of Vienna's  important tourist destinations -  the Karlskirche. Dating back to 1715, the Karlskirche or St Charles Church in Vienna is unique and one of the most visually stunning churches in Vienna. The Karlskirche combines different architectural styles ranging from Roman, Greek and Oriental. The church was built by Emperor Charles VI to ward of plagues and is dedicated to St Charles Borromeo. The great columns of the building which are an imitation of Roman architecture with the baroque dome on the top make this a most interesting church that has not been replicated anywhere.

The church has a park like setting facing a pool of water which is also a favourite place for people to relax.

This grand church is close to the Karlsplatz Metro station and is surrounded by gardens. Visitors can take a tour of the interiors of the church for a fee .  Be sure to take the escalator to go up to the roof.
Vienna
August 2010

SCHONBRUNN PALACE IN VIENNA

Holidaying in Vienna means a definite visit to the Schonbrunn Palace, one of the finest and most beautiful baroque palace in Europe.The 1441 room palace was built between 1692 and 1712 and has today become the most important cultural and tourist attraction in Vienna.

The Main Entrance of the Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna. 
The palace in 1996 was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Golden Eagle atop each Main Gate of the Palace

The Fountain with the sculptures in the front Yard

Front View of the Schonbrunn Palace

 The Palace overlooks and is surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens. Towards the end of this sculptured garden is the Neptune Fountain. This space between the Palace and the Neptune Fountain is known as the  Great Parterre. The garden points to a 60 mt high hill which has a building called the Gloriette.


The Palace timings are from 8.30 AM to 5.00PM. Be sure to take a tour of the rooms of the palace. If you don't want to stand in long queues , book online  and keep a full day for the tour of the palace and the gardens and parks.

NEPTUNE FOUNTAIN AT THE SCHONBRUNN PALACE

As we move from the main Palace to the hill, is a pool at the end of which is the Neptune Fountain. A retaining wall curving back forms the back wall of the vast basin. At the centre is a semi oval plinth from which rises the statue of the sea-god Neptune surrounded by his entourage.

Above the rocky grotto stands Neptune in a shell-shaped chariot, his trident in his hand. To his left is a nymph, while on his right kneels the sea-goddess Thetis.  Frolicking at the foot of the grotto are the Tritons, creatures who are half-man and half-fish, and belong to Neptune's entourage.

ROMAN RUINS AT SCHONBRUNN

The Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna is a huge and majestic palace. As you move from the main palace to the grand gardens and up the Schonbrunn Hill and when you descend the hill,  at the foot  stands a structure which supposedly is in ruins, These are  the Roman Ruins , orignally called the ruin of Carthage. Designed by Hohenberg who created the Roman Ruin at Schönbrunn as an entirely new structure on the model of the Ancient Roman temple of Vespasian and Titus, the remains of which had been recorded in an engraving by Giovanni Battista Piranesi dating to around 1756.The Roman Ruins consist of a rectangular pool in the front with a massive semi circular arch overlooking it and walls flanking it giving an impression of a building slowly degenerating  and crumbling into the ground,

The main Structure

 

The Gods of the rivers Danube and Enns

Built in 1978, it is completely integrated into the surrounding landscape making it a very integral part of the vast gardens.