Historical facts and classical music

So, I got up fairly early this morning – it was my last full day in Vienna, and I had a lot planned. First thing, I headed out to Schönbrunn Palace to do the apartment tour with an audio guide, which was also included in my Vienna Pass. I really enjoy things like that – where you not only get to see the rooms but also hear the stories behind them, what they were used for, and all those little historical details. I just really like that kind of stuff.

If I ever go back, though, I think I’d book the grand tour – you get to see way more rooms. And maybe I’d also visit the Hofburg next time to check out the interiors there too.

After that short excursion, I made my way directly to the palace gardens behind Schönbrunn. I walked through the maze – which, I’m happy to say, I successfully completed – and then continued up to the Glorietta, where I enjoyed a beautiful panoramic view of Vienna and the palace. In the sunshine, it was truly a wonderful sight.

Afterwards, I took another look at the Crown Prince Garden and the Orangery. Then I headed to the Naschmarkt, where I enjoyed a delicious lunch. After this short break, I finally made my way to the Zentralfriedhof (Central Cemetery).

What a huge place! I never would have imagined a cemetery could be this vast. People were riding their bikes through it, and the gardeners all use motorized vehicles – otherwise, it would be impossible to get from one side to the other. But the most surprising thing? The cemetery even has its own bus line. It runs in a loop with several stops, making it easy for visitors to get around. Pretty amazing.

It quickly became clear that Austrians – especially the Viennese – have a very different approach to death compared to what I’m used to in Germany. Some of the graves are truly grand and quite extravagant. I don’t think you’d see anything like that back home. Just look at the graves of Udo Jürgens or Falco – they look more like tributes or statues than traditional burial sites.

All in all, I was genuinely surprised by how unique and impressive this cemetery is. And, true to Viennese tradition, there’s a beautiful section where many famous classical composers are buried. Brahms, Strauss, and Beethoven rest side by side, with a monument to Mozart standing prominently in the center.

After the cemetery, I headed back into the city to the Prater, where I took a ride on the famous Ferris wheel. It’s pretty big and does sway quite a bit, but in the end, it’s just a Ferris wheel. After grabbing a quick bite, I went back to the hotel to freshen up before heading out to the final highlight of my day: a classical concert at St. Peter’s Church.

The setting, the music, the atmosphere – everything came together perfectly. It was a wonderful way to end such a beautiful day.Read more