Gloriette

Sunday I went to Schloss Schönbrunn, which is an enormous, beautiful summer palace which the Hapsburgs built in the 18th century. It was a favorite residence of Empress Maria Theresa. There is an entrance to the grounds that I walk past on my way to the Hietzing U-Bahn station. I went in and promptly got turned around. I think my sense of direction is usually adequate, but there were so many things that caught my eye that I turned off to see.

I eventually made my way through to the actual palace. I decided to go up to the palace first and look out over the (main / central) gardens from the terrace.



Schönbrunn



View from the terrace



There were tons of beautiful Greek statues lining the sides as well.





And opposite the palace, below the Gloriette is the Neptune fountain.

The Gloriette is the biggest hill on the grounds. There are two paths that wind their way to the top, where there is a building that looks out over all of Wien. In a lecture on things not to miss in Wien in terms of art and architecture, the professor told us that Maria Theresa used to love to go up to the Gloriette for breakfast. She was a large lady and had to be carried up to the top. Also, she wanted to see some of the animals from the zoo as well, so they would bring out some of the tamer ones. It's an amusing bit of history. That tradition was referenced when people were seeking to set up a cafe at the Gloriette.



For 2 Euro you can climb to the top of the building and the view is breathtaking. Through a little rooftop telescope you can see the Stephansdom, St. Stephen's Cathedral, all the way in the center of the 1st district.



Pictures can't really do it justice.

When I came down I wandered through the cafe and ran into some friends from IES. Tierney, Jenny (who is also from Vanderbilt, in A&S) and Brenna had just ordered drinks. We hung out until we all got to the U-Bahn, where we went our separate ways. It was very fortuitous that I ran into them.

It rained yesterday and today, and I have an afternoon meeting tomorrow following German, but I am hoping to go to the Prater very soon before it gets too cold.