Thursday 9 October 2008

Imperial Palace Gate


Michaelertor
Hofburg
St Michael Gate
Imperial Palace



The History of the Vienna Hofburg


"For over 600 years the Vienna Hofburg was the residence of the Austrian sovereigns. Over the course of the centuries it developed into one of the most important centres of European history. It was from here that the Habsburgs reigned from the 13th century, at first as rulers of the Austrian patrimonial lands, from 1452 as emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, and finally as emperors of Austria from 1806 until the end of the monarchy in 1918.

Originally a medieval fortified castle dating from the 13th century, the Hofburg was extended by each emperor, eventually coming to resemble a 'city within a city'. The sprawling, asymmetric complex which extends over 240,000 m² consists of 18 wings, 19 courtyards and 2,600 rooms in which nearly 5,000 people still work and live today."

"It was not until the end of the 19th century when the old palace theatre was demolished that Ferdinand Kirschner completed the Michaelertrakt (St Michael Wing, named after the church it faces) to Fischer von Erlach's designs. With its curving façade and its 50 meter high dome, it dominates the façade of the palace which faces the centre of the city."

Source: www.hofburg-wien.at

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Sky Watch Friday
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of all the participants
of this week's Sky Watch!

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44 comments:

  1. Where in the world is Mozart? ;-)

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  2. I spied him! But I won't tell . . .

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  3. Is it Friday already there?
    Who is Mozart?
    Do you mean Sarah Mozart?

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  4. I bet he is hovering in the dark tunnel, swooping down to scare the passers-by!

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  5. tut-tut,
    *smile*
    Do you remember the "I-Spy-Books" by Janet and Allan Ahlberg?
    "Each Peach Pear Plum.
    I spy Tom Thumb!"

    Paris Breakfasts,
    somehow I managed to put my blog on Kamchatka or Vladivostok time. It's definitely still Thursday here, 5.47pm! Thank heaven for that!

    Which Mozart? Wolfgang Amadeus,
    you know the guy who composed for Neil Diamond the simple tune Song Sung Blue
    ! ;-)))

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  6. Ilva,
    sorry, wrong! *giggle*

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  7. Loved all the comments and chatter. I was struck by the arch over the walkway entrence. It looks like a giant tiara or crown. Fitting for the Kings and Emperors.

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  8. I love the delicate lacing on that metal.

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  9. I can hear the clip-clop clip-clop!! So nice.

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  10. I remember me good "souvenirs"...
    I have seen those gates, when I have gone in Wien (Vienna)....

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  11. photowannabe,
    Sometimes one craves for a little insouciance, I definitely did today, and I thank all who played along. ;-)
    The wrought-iron arch is a fine piece of art and craftmanship.

    Charles Gramlich,
    yes, it is amazing that such a heavy arch can look as delicate as lace.

    willow,
    I was standing there quite a while, waiting for the right moment to release the shutter, listening to the horses' clippety-cloppety and the eco reverberating from the walls (inside the gate a huge cupola covers the entry hall, amplifying the effect).

    Often there are musicians playing in the hallway, intensifying the atmosphere, as if travelling back in time.

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  12. webradio,
    I think that walking through that gate, standing under its cupola, is amongst the most magical things to do in Vienna.

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  13. WOW! Amazing shots and post! :D I was there a few years ago! My SWF is posted HERE. Have a great day!~

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  14. Great pics. I can't wait to visit Vienna.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers

    http://reginainpictures.blogspot.com/

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  15. The place looks grand! Would love to visit there one day! Great shots!

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  16. What a fascinating place. I love the shots and also the informative post.

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  17. Oh my, the details in that gate are breath taking....happy skywatch!

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  18. How interesting! I need to get over there and see some of that firsthand.

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  19. Thank you, and bon voyage
    to all you skywatchers! :-)
    I shall take off to see your skies.

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  20. Great capture for SWF!!!! I am so happy to be part of this fun. I find myself excited visiting other sky photos all over the world. Happy weekend! Hope you can visit my SWF entry too...

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  21. Both very nice views. Happy Sky Watch!

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  22. Thank you for this. The words and photos are wonderful.
    Happy Sky Watch!

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  23. I love these photos!

    Paz

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  24. Oh, what beautiful, elaborate filagree...you take the most beautiful photos...

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  25. That archway is amazingly beautiful!

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  26. Have I told you how much I love history? The History Channel is my favorite tv channel, lol...wonderful post!
    hugs
    Sandi

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  27. Every sky is deserving of a crown like this. Very nicely captured. Thanks for the history lesson too!

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  28. he 2nd pic is terriffic!

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  29. Mozart kan mir augenblicklich gestolen bleiben, aber wo steckt die Sissi?
    Great gate and accompanying history. In those days they still knew what was what.

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  30. No he's on the back of that buggy still looking for a resting place. (Mozart that is). Great gate and history.

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  31. Thanks for the history lesson! I love the shot very interesting perspective! Lovely! Mine is about HongKong skies, I hope you visit mine :)

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  32. Gruesse aus Kanada.

    Great Great images about the coffee shop in previous post.

    H.Peter

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  33. Ja Wien hat viele schöne Seiten und einen wunderbaren Himmel.
    Danke für die Dokumentation
    Grüsse Hartmut

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  34. How very civilized your coffee shop looks......
    and the metal gates are exquisite.
    Have a lovely autumn weekend.

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  35. The sky seen through the wrought ironwork of the gate is wonderful. Brings back happy memories of visiting the Hofburg some time ago.

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  36. That's quite a history! What a strong line. I love the view of the sky from here, too!

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  37. Beautiful silhouette, Merisi.

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  38. Thank you all for your kind comments,
    I am looking forward to continue my rounds through your neighbourhoods!

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  39. Beautiful filligri on the gates.

    Lovely pics Merisi.

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  40. Thank you so much for visiting my post. I would not have known that it was in the running for best post as you were too. Very different posts. I love learning about historical places especially outside of the US. It is a way to visit another country without leaving my house...Michelle..

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