Vienna, Austria

Vienna is everything you have ever heard about it. It is an old city with a Roman history, but it begins it's prominence in 955 when Otto I began his rule. He established boarders for Austria, and Vienna became the capital in 1156. The Habsburg
dynasty began it's reign in 1273, and it lasted for six hundred years. This dynasty expanded the borders of Austria into the Austro-Hungarian empire to include Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and parts of Poland, Italy, and Romania (all those countries that I never understood or thought about in high school). The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Habsburg throne, began WWI when he was killed in Sarajevo. This empire ended in 1918 at the conclusion of the war. Austria was engulfed by Germany in WWII, but after the war, in 1955, Austria declared its neutrality, and reestablished its territorial sovereignty.

Vienna, the capitol of Austria is the City of Music. It is beautiful. Its history is speckled with the likes of Mozart, Beethoven, Hayden, and Strauss. Both Mozart and Beethoven are buried there. With it's serene atmosphere of art and architecture,  it's understandable that such great music could have been conceived in this magnificent city. Look anywhere, at any building, and one sees statues to historic generals, battles, gods, ideas, and almost anything. Vienna is one of those cities that puts American architecture to shame, but them, they have had many, many more years to develop it, haven't they. Rumor has it the Beethoven moved over 60 times when he lived here. I guess he was a difficult neighbor.

During Mozart's time, in the eighteenth century, it was the coffee houses that functioned as the Internet of the day. People gathered to read the newspapers, talk over the issues of the day, and relax. Coffee houses are still prevalent there, and we visited the Sacher Cafe' famous for its tortes, and coffee.These delicious torts have been served since 1840s, and with some whipped cream, and coffee (with a slug of liquor) it can't be surpassed for comfort and relaxation.

Johann Strauss was the rock star of the nineteenth century. He was engaged 13 times, and married 3 times. He died in 1899. His third marriage was the best. She apparently knew how to care for him, and allowed him to blossom as a composer.

The evening of our visit to Vienna, we went to a concert given by a small orchestra in Vienna. They played Mozart, and Strauss with opera singers, and ballet dancers.

It was pleasant and entertaining. I have been here for only one day, but believe I have tasted a bit of the delicious flavor of Austria and Vienna. It would be good to come back and explore more of this special city.