Exploring Vienna's Museum Quarter

Vienna like many great cities, is best explored on foot, for it is surely the best way to get around and discover your locale. From the hotel located in the Museum Quarter, I walked past the Leopold Museum towards the gardens in front of Burgatten Palace. Mozart in all his glory was standing there in marble, violin in hand and surrounded by puti.

Through the gardens and past the art nouveau Palm House I turned around and heading back to further explore the Museum Quarter, the Opernring road became blocked by police. Marching along some peaceful hundreds or more were protesting the forming of government by one major party with a small but nationalist right-wing group. Peaceful and organised, the protestors were bound by banners keeping them together and given their cause, I was happy to watch and wait their passing.

Burgatten

demonstrators 2

demonstrators 1

Walking along the Opernring, one can't but admire the impressive buildings lining the street. One museum after another, the Natural History Museum and the Leopold Museum to identify a couple that you pass by, to eventually the Law Courts building and Parliament.

At the Rathaus (or Town Hall) a large Christmas market was spread out from the front steps. The large market signage was a popular picture on Instagram and featuring behind it, the spire of the Rathaus reaching to the sky. Each market stall was the same; a brown ski chalet styled cabin with their wares on display across the bench and up on shelves at each side. They stocked everything from decorations to woolly scarves and socks, candles and bags (though I do think these were imported) and one area set aside for the consumption of gluhwein and pretzels. Lights came on to illuminate us all early as by 3pm the evening began to emerge, and the sky darken.

Rathaus Christmas Market

Rathaus market stall 2

rathaus market stall

As tempting as many of the pretty things were, I wasn’t tempted to buy. At this market it felt like it was more commercial and manufactured rather than the crafted and singular momento I was looking for.

By the time I re-entered Das Tyrol I was cold and tired. There was no thick layer of snow on the ground so the ideal of a white Christmas didn’t eventuate, but it did snow. Tiny, icy droplet flakes fell from the sky but disappeared upon landing on one’s overcoat and hat, or pavement. I tell myself that this is snow these days. “Ah” the concierge says. “It used to snow but not now. Ten years ago, it would close the city but not these days”. Global warming seems to be the commonly acknowledge cause. I ponder this as I head towards the local restaurant offering warming pasta and chilled wine.