N8's Sharing is Caring

[n8Romantic]

St. Stephens Cathedral in Passau Germany has the largest pipe organ in Europe and is also the largest cathedral organ in the world. The organ has 17,774 pipes and 233 registers which can be played with the five-manual consoles in the gallery. Additionally, sections of the organ have their own mechanical-action or electric-action consoles, for a total of six consoles.

 

[n8Romantic]

The Baroque Cathedral St. Stephens in Passau employs Illusionistic art to give flat ceilings the impression of being curved or rounded.

 

[Anastasia1999]

Wow!!!

 

[Paligirl]

Well, I have a problem. I can't post images from Tumblr. It's been a problem for a couple of weeks. All the photos I posted on this thread were uploaded to Tumblr, and then to Lit Playground. Now no joy! Anyone else experiencing this?

Now for the super clever segue...

The Eagles are/were a talented, and versatile band. Their vocals are second to none. Most are familiar with Don Henley, and the late Glen Frey. "Take it Easy" featured Glen Frey's singing. So...to piggy back on my opening whining, here is bassist Timothy B. Schmit's lovely voice.

i love the eagles...their harmonies...and storytelling...so good

 

[n8Romantic]

Ain't that the truth...

 

[n8Romantic]

Now for a brief stop in Krems, Austria. Unfortunately we spent no time in Krems and were dropped off here by the Egil for a tour of Gottweig Abbey. The weather was horrible as well and photo opportunities of the abbey's exterior were poor.

Krems is a small city about 70 kilometers from Vienna. First noted in 995 there is evidence of earlier settlements here. In the 11th and 12th centuries Krems, or Chremis as it was then known, was larger than Vienna. Krems is famous for it's apricot brandy and I found it quite tasty!

Gottweig Abbey is a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1083 by the Bishop of Passau. Gottweig is know as the Monte Casino of Austria because of its location high on a vineyard covered hill, and is visible for miles. After a fire in the 18th century, the current Baroque Abbey was constructed.

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Viking Longboat Egil docked at Krems.

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Krems, Austria

 

[n8Romantic]

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Gottweig Abbey...did I mention the bad weather? Happens every trip doesn't it?

 

[n8Romantic]

Inside the weather was much better.
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Abbey pipe organ.
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This ceiling is flat. Illusionary art technique give the optical illusion of it being concave.

Well, that's it for Krems and Gottweig Abbey. On to Vienna️

 

[n8Romantic]

 

[n8Romantic]

Next stop, Vienna, Austria.Wow! What can I say about Vienna? Its rich history defies my ability to condense it for this post. There has been settlements in this spot dating to 500 B.C. Called the "Home of Music", Mozart and Beethoven lived here. Said to be the "City of Dreams" as Vienna is the home of Sigmund Freud. My advice to you my dear friends is that you allot several days to explore this amazing city if you travel there. It is rich in history, culture, and beauty. Did I mention the Cafe's? The pastries?

 

[n8Romantic]

Vienna, Austria, the city makes preparations for the grand holiday illuminations. While McDonalds and Starbucks are hardly ever a surprise in our travels, the Five Guys was. Who knew?

 

[n8Romantic]

This beautiful building sits in City Center, right next to St. Stephens Cathedral. Note the ubiquitous Golden Arches.

 

[n8Romantic]

Sitting at City Center, St. Stephens Cathedral is historically and culturally the most important church in Vienna. At 136m, it is the tallest church in Austria. Completed in 1578, construction began in 1359.

 

[n8Romantic]

Vienna developed from early Celtic and Roman settlements into a Medieval and Baroque city, the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It played an essential role as a leading European music centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. Hofburg Palace has been the heart of power in Vienna since 1279. Once the Habsburg’s winter residence, this massive palace complex now serves as the workplace and home of the President of Austria.

 

[n8Romantic]

St. Francis of Assisi Cathedral also known as the Emperor’s Jubilee Church (Kaiserjubiläumskirche), is built in the Romanesque style. Constructed between 1898 and 1910 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I. The inside is simple I adornment and bright. Sitting in Viennas Second District, an area reich with immigrants, it is considered the home of Vienna’s English speaking Catholic community.

 

[Anastasia1999]

One of my very favourite European cities (Vienna), and some of the best meals I have eaten have been in Vienna.

I am so glad you got to go there and see the sights.

 

[n8Romantic]

I'm going through my pictures from my trip to Arizona and I have so many! Ill share some here soon after I resize and edit them, but for now, did you know that scorpions glow under UV light?

https://imgur.com/a/PXCPq5i

I did, but I've not actually seen it. That's pretty cool/

 

[n8Romantic]

One of my very favourite European cities (Vienna), and some of the best meals I have eaten have been in Vienna.

I am so glad you got to go there and see the sights.

I think Vienna is one of those cities you enjoy revisiting, Ana. I would enjoy about a week there to explore at my leisure.

 

[n8Romantic]

So scary! Woke one morning and out side our cabin balcony what did I find? A Peeping Swan! The horror!

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Notice those beady Swan eyes?

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Big pecker, too!

 

[n8Romantic]

Sitting on the borders of Austria and Hungary we fid the lovely city of Bratislava. Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, surrounded by vineyards at the foot of the Little Carpathian mountains. Not as frequented by visitors as Prague, Vienna, or other better known and traveled locals, this lovely city is a welcome respite to the large crowds found elsewhere.

 

[n8Romantic]

Bratislava street scenes.

 

[n8Romantic]

More Bratislava...

Baigel shop. Mighty fine eating if I may say so.

Apparently they haven't heard me sing!

 

[n8Romantic]

St. Martins Cathedral, a 15th Century Gothic church and formerly the Coronation Church.

Not St. Martins Cathedral.

 

[n8Romantic]

Schöne Náci was an early 20th Century local eccentric known for his kindness and elegance along the promenade. Apparently he was quite the ladies man, doffing his hat to all the lovely ladies.

 

[n8Romantic]

Rubberneck (Čumil) is the most photographed statue in Bratislava.