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 | Vienna Ringstrasse Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 222 |  |
 | |  |  | Ringstrasse: Kunsthistoriches Museum: You just have to see #3 | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
I thought it something of a surprise that , proportional to the number of tourists in Vienna, the Kunsthistoriches Museum (let’s just call it KHM) seemed relatively less popular than the Louvre in Paris, although there are distinct parallels. Both house stunning collections of art, both have great displays of Egyptian, Greek and Roman antiquities. OK, the KHM isn’t as large and hasn’t featured in any well-known stories, but it is up there with the best and certainly deserves to feature on the “must visit” list of all visitors to Vienna. Not only are the collections stunning, so is the building itself (and, no doubt, also the matching Naturhistorisches Museum facing it across the park). Both opened in 1891, but it is the KHM which now draws the attention. It was raining when we visited, so we didn’t linger to admire the outside façade and details (main photo). Step inside though, and be amazed at the richness of the marble columns and the painted ceiling in the central atrium area (vertical panorama, photo 2) with its ‘trompe d’oeil’ effect. Then stroll through the Egyptian antiquities section on the ground floor (photo 3) and you’ll be overwhelmed. That feeling continues as you visit the Roman antiquities collection. As enthusiastic collectors, the Hapsburgs also gathered a vast array of carved ivory: the quality of some of the work is ethereal (photo 4), though I must admit being quite uncomfortable about the slaughter of wildlife necessary to have produced it. Finally, the art collection is world famous, and justly so, with a huge array of works by Rembrandt, Raphael, Caravaggio, Bruegel, Van Dyck… and on it goes! (photo 5). What’s more, apart from a ban on using flash or tripods, there is no restriction on photography – our Australian galleries might well care to take note! Phone: +43.1.52.24-4025Directions: On the Ringstrasse in the Museum QuarterWebsite: www.khm.at/ Other Contact: info@khm.at
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| | | | Ringstrasse: Ring of Confidence: The Ringstrasse | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Ringstrasse is one of the most enduring legacies of the Hapsburgs to Vienna. Concieved in 1857 by decree of Emperor Franz-Joseph 1, it replaced the old zig-zag fortifications with a string of Imperial avenues, strung rond the throat of the Innere Stadt like a necklace. It's monumental buildings are well known, among them The Kunsthistoriche Museum, The Staatoper, The Rathaus, Burg Theatre etc. On my many meanders around the Ringstrasse (cut in half incidentally when I realised that I could take a short-cut through the Hofburg) one of them made an immediate and different impression on me. The Parlament building with its perfectly classical structure is quite noticeable among the other, mostly Baroque buildings. Part of the square that comprises the Rathaus, Burg Theatre and University, it was sesigned by the Danish architect , Theophil Hansen. Establishing the classical tradition a massive statue of pallas Athena lords it over a fountain representing the Elbe, Danube, Inn and Moldova. The impediment on the main portico is outstanding and would do Athens or Rome proud. All along the top of the building are statue, horses and chariots. A feast for the classsicaly inclined eye. Guided Tours aavailable. Check website. If you're not a great walker you can catch tram no 1 or 2 and go round the Ringstrasse as often as it takes to see all the sights. Phone: 40 110 2715Directions: Next to the Rathaus on the ringstrasseWebsite: www.parliament.gv.at
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| | | | Ringstrasse: Walk around the "Ring" | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The Ringstrasse would be the place to go if you want a speedy view of Vienna. Walk around the Ringstrasse and you'll see the long-gone golden era of monarchical rule, where the buildings are still grand and baroque. Along the Ringstrasse, you will find many of Vienna's most famous buildings, from the university, Votiv Church, the city town hall (Rathaus), the Burgtheater (imperial theatre), the Parliament building, Museums, Opera house and Otto Wagner's famous Postal Savings Bank. The Ringstrasse is certainly Vienna in all its grandeous, centuries-old splendour. Directions: If you don't feel like walking, trams 1 or 2 will take you around the Ringstrasse.
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Vienna
on October 8, 2004
on August 24, 2007
on January 1, 2007
on October 30, 2005
on August 16, 2007
on February 20, 2007
