Today was rather hot in Vienna. So, naturally, we had a 3 hour walking tour. Our tour wasn't as I expected, meaning we didn't see the buildings on the Ringstraße, we saw buildings built DURING the Ringstraße period, with elements of the period.

As you saw in the photos yesterday of the models of Vienna, Vienna grew in size since it's Roman days. Confirmed in 1857 under Franz Joseph, the Ringstraße represents the growth in population, and is essentially buildings built for the growing middle class. The buildings are PUBLIC buildings rather than IMPERIAL buildings, like the Hofburg (Hof = court, Burg = castle, thus castle of the court). The Hofburg grew each century as it's residents, the royal house of Hapsburgs, grew in power. The rule of Franz Joseph registered a shift. The buildings are a represention, an expression of this optimistic, golden period. Even with the Donau diverted into a canal in 1850, Vienna was still surrounded by walls. The oldest part of the city, the 1st District which includes Stephen's Cathedral and the Hofburg, was separate from the suburbs. This grassy area between the oldest part of Vienna and the suburbs, called a "glacis" served as a defensive purpose. That this ring of land had not been utilized previously is due to the military objections. And in the past, this ring had protected the city. During the Ottoman attacks, as people retreated into the city, the suburbs were burned so that the Turks could not utilize the area. Though, these dangers were not present in the 1850s. According to the military, the dangers were the suburbs. You can see the glacis in the below picture, which is Vienna in 1850.

                                                          Image from here.

The below image shows a tiny man looking over the corner above the Starbucks. A gate stood here, and that man stood atop on the walls surrounding Vienna. This street now runs alongside the Opera house and directly to Stephanplatz.

 

A portion of the wall was moved to the left, near the Albertina, part of the Hofburg. It orginially was plain white stone, but during the Ringstraße period, they were beautified with Greek statues. The man represents the Donau and the woman, Vienna. 

 

Another personification of the rivers surrounded Vienna. There are fountains and statues of river personifications alllllll over Vienna. Since we don't have to worry about fresh water sources unlike the past or some the undeveloped places of the world, I forget what it must of been like to need to be near a river to survive.

 

 

Okay, so the portion of the wall that was moved abuts the Albertina. You can walk upstairs and stand on top of the wall and look at this statue of Franz Joseph. The green roofed building is the Opera house.

The expansion of the middle class needed an avenue of expression. The shift of pure imperial power to an empire that allowed more people to vote, expanded begrudging with the modern times. The Hapsburgs were notoriously conservative. So much so that the liberal art movement of Art Noveau is rarely seen in buildings, seeing as the imperial family was the standard. You can see an example below.

 See? Those women are pure Art Noveau. Their naked bodies clothed in flowing, gauzy dresses showing every curve. The strands of flowers the hold to. Search Mucha or Klimt and you'll see such images.

 

Attached to this doorway is the Hofburg greenhouse as seen below. Isn't it pretty?

 

 

With construction confirmed in 1857, the modernization of the city began. Though the military ceded this land to further development, they had a few demands. They demanded parks, allowing the troops to assemble and have barracks and armories along the Ringstraße. The streets also had to be quite wide, 82 feet actually, so that they could not be barricaded. Amongst the many amounts of apartments and businesses built along this ring, five buildings are the most famous. They are the Votivkirche, the University, City Hall, Burgtheater and Parliament. We saw the Parliament and City Hall today.

The style of the buildings are relevant and important to their actual purpose. Parliament is in Neo Classical style. Designed by Theophile Hansen and built in 1861, the recalling of Ancient Greece in the style and statues in front are meant to represent the cradle of democracy and self-government of the people. The horse as chaos is being harnessed and calmed by democracy.

A statue of an gilded Athena stands in front. She holds a mini-Nike in her hand.

The City Hall was more to my liking. Built from 1872 to 1883, the use of Gothic style represents the strengths of the free cities in the middle ages. In 1860, Vienna won the right to self-administration from the emporer, and built the City Hall. Designed by Heinrich Schmidt and chosen in a contest, City Hall is seen as Vienna's own self-representation of their beloved city.

Photo by a friend..

 I loved the carved detail on the wooden door. And the hardware!

And you can't do Neo-Gothic without stain glass..

 A view of a hall within. A business school was graduating there that evening. Girls in white dresses were everywhere. I kept doing double glances because I just kept thinking about debutantes and brides. The below white building is the location of Freud's first office.

And my afternoon snack! A Viennese Malakov cake which is similar to Tiramisu, but lighter and better. 

 Lastly, today is my grandfather's 80th birthday! Happy Birthday Pops!