Chain fence at the Josefstädterstrasse.....borders pedestrian from trams.
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants
(Belvedere Palace)
On May 15, 1955, the Austrian Independence Treaty was signed in Vienna at the Schloss Belvedere among the Allied occupying powers (France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union) and the Austrian government. It re-established Austria as a sovereign state. It officially came into force on July 27, 1955.
Leopold Figl was an important figure in this treaty. Although he resigned as Chancellor on November 26, 1953, He remained in the government as foreign minister. His appearance on the balcony of the Belvedere Palace waving the signed paper and speaking the words Österreich ist frei! ("Austria is free!"), has become an icon in the Austrian national remembrance.
As a result of the treaty, the Allies left Austrian territory on October 25, 1955. October 26 was celebrated as a national holiday since then. It is sometimes thought to commemorate the withdrawal of Allied troops, but in fact celebrates Austria's Declaration of Neutrality, it was done by the Austrian Parliament to affirm the country permanently neutral. It was enacted today, 56 years ago as a constitutional act of parliament, as part of the Constitution of Austria.
Today, Google doodle honors Austria's National Holiday, already three years in a row. This year's image includes the colors of the Austrian flag scribbled as google and an Austrian snow-laden mountain behind. I can't tell which but it's surely one which skiers and snowboarders frequent. (Unterberg?)
Austria is a great place to visit, but any holiday can turn bad if you have suffered an accident abroad. If you want to discuss accidents abroad claims with a professional, then visit www.holidayclaims.com.
Theresien gelb or Ocker, the Riesenrad, Mozart, Beethovan, Strauß, Stephansdom, Schönbrunn, Praterstern, Danube - some of the words that come to mind when one mentions Vienna.
When I was new to blogging, I frequently joined City Daily Photos theme days held every 1st day of the month. The first theme I joined goes 'When people think of my City, they think of...'
I am republishing this piece from January 2008...it was intended for February 1 of the same year.
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'When people think of my City, they think of...'
One; the famous Waltz, Blue Danube by Austrian composer Johann Strauss II. The song originally has an accompanying lyrics but through the years, the instrumental (particularly the orchestral version) gained fame and is the most commonly used nowadays.
To hear the song please click here.
The lyrics of the song pertain to the Donau or Danube which is the longest river in the European Union that passes through several Central and Eastern European Capitals, one of which is Vienna. Part of the song lyrics goes:
Donau so blau, so schön und blau,durch Tal und Au wogst ruhig du hin,dich grüßt unser Wien, dein silbernes Band.knüpft Land an Land und fröhliche Herzen schlagen an deinem schönen Strand.
When translated:
Danube so blue, so bright and blue,through vale and field you flow so calm,our Vienna greets you, you silver stream through all the lands you merry the heart with your beautiful shores.
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Nine years into this beautiful city, today marks that ninth year. I was an eager 22-year-old full of positivity and excitement then. When I came, I asked hubby to "create" a website for me to showcase my photography. I intended to continue my craft - then, I left my precious Canon T60 back home knowing that I could get another camera --- it was when digital cameras were getting themselves known.
(Oct 2002)
So this is one of my first photos around the city taken with an Olympus c100. :D Taken at the Gloriette. In nine years, hubby upgraded our gears and external hard disks to accomodate all the photos I'm taking.
Here are some of the thousands of photos, some that I've already featured.
Here are some of the thousands of photos, some that I've already featured.
The Vienna Opera House taken from the Albertina's Mezzanine. October 2010
Back of the Schönbrunn Palace on an almost spring day. February 2011.
An odd winter afternoon at the Praterstern station with a view of the Riesenrad. January 2011.
Schönbrunn Gardens in Autumn. October 2010.
Summer at the Kunsthistorisches Museum/Art History Museum. July 2008
Almost Spring at the Danube River with my kids. March 2011
Mozart's Statue at the Burggarten. May 2011.
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Before I forget, people also think of Vienna sausage immediately when they hear 'Vienna.' It has been a common joke between my friends and I...'Hey bring me some vienna sausage when you come home.' Or 'How much does a can of vienna sausage cost there?' And many more. We don't have the canned sausages around but here are the sausages and cold cuts that we often buy. ^_^
(Bicycle lane by the Danube River)
The weather may not be as cold as it should be, ranging from 15° to 23° but it can never fool the trees...They will turn yellow, orange and brown as October comes...
Summer came late this year, naturally Autumn would too and perhaps winter will follow suit. :( That's how much irregular climate change has been through the years and we never got the Danube to freeze for longer days as before. Probably around 5 days to a week of enjoying ice skating on it...
This was taken last year...during the Long Nights at the Museum...the building is the Albertina which holds a large collection of Dürer, Picasso and Kokoschka among other important artists.
We missed this year's Long Nights at the Museum for being in Prague on the night of October 1, the event's annual schedule. We had planned to visit other museums this year, the Chocolate Factory (not Charlie's) was on top of our list.
Well, we can still visit but we have to pay the full entrance fee unlike during the Long Nights, you pay once for all the museums that you visit.
Believe it or not, it was past 12 but the lights are still on.
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