Vienna

(capital city of

Austria)

The

statue of

Athena

in

front

of the

Austrian

Parliament.

The Belvedere Palace is a historic building in Vienna, Austria, consisting of two palaces (the Upper and Lower Belvedere) construction started by prince Eugene in 1712 and the lower one completed in 1717 & the upper one in 1723.

Belvedere Palace

Vienna was the capital of the Holy Roman Empire (1483/1806) and a cultural centre for arts and science, music and fine cuisine. In 1919 became the First Republic of Austria. Eleonora who loved hunting, spent much time here after the death of her husband, Ferdinand II. From 1638 to 1643, she added a palace--- Schnbrunn (meaning "beautiful spring).

Schnbrunn Palace

In 1713, Emperor Charles VI made a vow: if the disease plague left the city, he would build a church . (St. Charles was an Italian bishop famous for ministering to plague victims). In answer to his prayer the emperor built the church.

St. Charles's Church

Stadtpark---- On 21 August 1862 the park was opened, becoming the first public park in Vienna . The mayor at that time, Andreas Zelinka, promoted the project of creating a public park. Vienna has 13 such parks.

From 1438 to 1583 and from 1612 to 1806, the Hofburg palace was the seat of emperors of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, thereafter the seat of the Emperor of Austria until 1918. Today it is the official seat of the Austrian Federal President. There are over 200 balls per year. Balls are held in the many beautiful palaces in Vienna, with the principal venue being the Hofburg Palace. Major Viennese balls generally begin at 9 pm and last until 5 am.

Hofburg palace

Public transport is provided by buses, trams and 5 underground metro lines. 49.2% of Viennese are Roman Catholics, while 25.7% are of no religion. The city has warm summers ---22 to 26 C . Winters are relatively cold --temperatures at about freezing point, and snowfall occurring mainly from December through March.