VIENNA, AUSTRIA, Eastern Europe - Oct. 2006

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Vienna was FREEZING! Even Bill, the winter snow enthusiast, was cold. The bitter wind made it difficult to stay outside for very long, but fortunately, Vienna had a lot of interesting indoor sites of which we took advantage.

We visited St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the Hofburg Palace which had the Imperial Apartments of the Hapsburgs and more, the excellent Kunsthistorisches Museum with its rich collection of European masterpieces, and took an interesting tour of the Opera House. We enjoyed exploring the Old Town and Mariahilfer Street, but had to keep ducking inside to warm up!

We could easily walk to all the sites from our home in Vienna, Pension Pertschy, one block off the main square, Stephansplatz. Wonderful B&B!!

St. Stephen’s Cathedral is full of symbolism. For example, in the photos above, you will see part of the banister winding up to the pulpit. The top of the railing is covered with lizards, animals of light, and battle toads, animals of darkness. There is a dog standing at the top (not visible here) that makes sure that none of the toads pollute the sermon. Beneath the lizards and toads, next photo, you will see wheels. The wheels with three parts represent the Trinity and roll up, while the wheels with four parts represent the four seasons and mortal life, and they roll down.

 

 

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