Danube Cruise Day 8: Vienna

 I caught this lovely view of Vienna from our stateroom when I got up this morning.

The morning tour was to the late 19th c Museum of Fine Arts, the first building in Europe to be built as a museum (as opposed to a former palace turned into a museum.) It houses the Hapsburg family's personal collection. 

They were some family, ruling much of Europe from the 15th c until the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1918. This statue of Empress Maria Theresa (18th c) stands between the fine arts museum and its twin, the natural history museum.

Among the things the Hapsburgs collected were gadgets, popular among the very rich during the Renaissance. This golden galleon could roll around on the table top and fire its tiny cannons.

The Hapsburgs had a large collection of Flemish artists. Bruegel trained as a miniaturist and he tells lots of stories in the details of his Tower of Babel.

Another gorgeous ceiling, this one over the grand stairway of the museum.

Even the cafe over the entry hall is opulent, befitting the Hapsburgs.

Some of our group chose to stay in town after our tour for lunch and further exploration. About half of us decided to take the afternoon off and returned to the ship. A bike path follows the canal, and I chose to do my exploring there despite the sprinkles of rain. As I neared town, I saw more and more summer cottages and finally, new condominiums under construction--a good place to turn back.

This view welcomed me when I returned to the ship in time for afternoon tea in the forward lounge.

Tonight's on-board concert featured Beethoven from various periods, followed by another gourmet dinner. I find myself thinking of the eighteenth century practice of noblemen employing musicians and composers like Mozart. Our on-board recitals feel like intimate gatherings of friends and family in a private salon.

Concert Content:

October 22/Vienna - Amadeus Queen 

All- Beethoven Program

• Piano Sonata No. 2: 1st movement
• Violin Sonata No. 7: 1st movement
• Piano Sonata No. 22: 1st movement
• Violin Romance in G Major
• Piano Sonata No. 30: 1st and 2nd movements