Day 4 - Black and Gold

Day three - Belvedere, Central Cemetery, Riesenrach

It was another busy day for me as I set off for the far side of Vienna (the public transport is great in this city, if the Underground doesn't get you there then the tram or bus will. It is also easy to walk around the centre of Vienna). I got to the Belvedere relatively quickly:

The Belvedere had an exhibition on Klimt which I walked around. I am always surprised when famous galleries like this are unable to light paintings properly so you can only look at the whole frame by standing very close, far away or to one side and the Belvedere managed to do this with 'The Kiss' so it was awkward to appreciate as you had to stand really far back due to the large crowd stood in front of it but there was a spot light on the painting that made it difficult to see. For all of those who didn't process straight to the iconic picture there was alot to explore. I think my favourite Klimt was this early work:

The rest of the gallery has many other interesting pieces focusing on art movements in Austria but I think the ones I liked the most were:

A very grand royal chapel
(this was the entrance to the royal box)

Another picture of Sisi
(this is the official portrait) 

Still life with bust of Crown Prince Rudolf
- Hugo Charlemont

This picture was the most fascinating to me. It is all of the things that represented Rudolf and includes a picture of a young Mary Vetsera (the mistress who died with him at Mayerling). It is almost a Memento Mori. It was so interesting and controversial.

After this I headed off to the famous Central Cemetery to meet my friend so we could enjoy an iconic place that has been the place to be seen (after death). It is massive with it's own bus service to get around! We tried to find the Jewish section and go via the Buddhist/ Islamic section but we got abit lost and found ourselves in the Greek Orthodox/ Egyptian section and the gate to the Protestant and 'New' Jewish section (which is in a separate churchyard apparently). It had now started to rain so we decided to head off but here are some highlights:

Punschkrapfen at the cemetery cafe (delicious) 

The Museum at the cemetery (not open on a Sunday)

This interesting memorial (yes those are dwarves!) 

The famous road in the cemetery

Beethoven's grave

Schubert's grave

Strauss' (the elder) grave

Brahms' grave

Hedy Lemarr's memorial (her ashes are scattered in the Vienna woods)

One of the many churches

An interesting grave

Another nice grave

A very pretty war memorial

A Greek Orthodox grave

Love a good mourner!

Some ancient tablet's that were obviously moved here 

As we were over on the other side of Vienna, we decided to stop off at the iconic Riesenrach or the giant ferris Wheel - made iconic in The Third man . The Riesenrach is in the Prater park,a massive park that also holds a fun fair with the Madame Tussaud's and Chocolate Museum as well as:

It is so high!! Why would you do this??

There is also a nice recreational park for running, walking and cycling that is also heavily used. Since I really wanted to go on the Riesenrach but am very scared of heights; I bribed my friend to come on the wheel with me. You will be reassured that the doors have modern locks now (so no opening them at the top!) but the cabins are the same. There is also a little diorama museum that should how the Prater looked throughout history ( a famous battle was fought in the hills nearby against the Ottomans). Here are some pictures:

The Diorama of the Prater today

Since it looked like rain and we were tired and hungry we decided to try a vegan restaurant we had both read about separately and so headed back to Mariahilfer Strasse and went to the amazing
Swing Kitchen which is delicious and and environmentally friendly. I would recommend it (especially the sweet criss cross fries):

The Vienna burger with xx fries

We then headed home to enjoy some wine and Manner biscuits.