Document

Tourist Attractions

Description

  • Schloss Schönbrunn, Rococo-style 1,440-room summer palace of the Habsburgs in Vienna. Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach’s first design for the building, meant to rival France’s Palace of Versailles, was done in 1690. A second, somewhat less ornate, plan, however, dating from 1695–96 was adopted, and the palace was finished by 1711.

    • Hightlights

  • The palace and its gardens were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996.

    • Description

  • The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna is one of the foremost museums in the world, with rich holdings comprising artworks from seven millennia - from Ancient Egypt to the late 18th century. The collections of Renaissance and Baroque art are of particular importance. The KHMs extensive holdings are on show at different locations:The main building on Ringstrasse houses the Picture Gallery, the Collection of Greek and Roman Antiquities, the Egyptian and Near Eastern Collection, the Coin Collection, and the Kunstkammer that will reopen in February 2012. Other collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum are housed in the Neue Burg (the Collection of Historical Musical Instruments, the Collection of Arms and Armour, and the Ephesus Museum), in Hofburg Palace (the Treasury), and in Schoenbrunn Palace (the Collection of Historical Carriages). The collections on show at Ambras Palace are also part of the holdings of the Kunsthistorisches Museum. 2001the Museum of Ethnology on Heldenplatz and the Austrian Theatre Museum on Lobkowitz Square have been incorporated into the KHM. The Planning of the Ringstrasse began in 1857 and included the project to bring together and show the imperial collections in a grand new building featuring state-of-the-art technical and display facilities; it took, however, another ten years until the competition to design the new museums was actually held. The architects who participated in 1867 were Hansen, Lehr, Ferstel and Hasenauer, all of whom worked in Vienna. When jury and patron failed for months to agree on a winner, Gottfried Semper, the internationally-renowned architect known for his museum designs, was called in as an advisor in 1868. The Emperor then decided to commission Semper to alter and complete the plans initially presented by Hasenauer. He also enlarged them. His designs were informed by urban planning in ancient Rome to create what was known as the imperial forum: He envisaged an additional also symmetrical - pair of buildings aligned with the two museums, each of which featured a semi-circular facade. These two buildings were to flank the Hofburg's Leopoldinische Trakt (the wing of the old palace erected under Emperor Leopold) for which Semper planned a modern facade and that would house the throne room. However, only the two museums and the part of the Neue Burg (new palace) facing the Burggarten (palace garden) were realised. Work on the museums commenced in 1871 and twenty years later, in 1891, they were formally opened to the public. Semper had moderated Hasenauer original design for the fa=E7ades and they now feature a complex art-historical programme of sculptures and reliefs.

    • Hightlights

  • The building's internal structure combines two architectural traditions: entrance hall, staircase and cupola hall form a dramatic unit that celebrates the imperial patron and his predecessors. An additional elegant feature is the circular opening in the ceiling of the entrance hall that offers visitors their first glimpse of the cupola hall. Ascending the stairs, visitors pass Antonio Canova's "Theseus Slaying the Centaur" on their way to the cupola hall, the apex of imperial display. Along this central axis a wealth of neo-baroque decorations create one of the most solemn and splendid interiors of late-nineteenth-century Vienna, probably unrivalled in any other European museum. (For further information see: Caecilia Bischoff, The Kunsthistorisches Museum. History, Arcitecture, Decoration, Vienna 2010)

    • Description

  • The zoo traces its official history back to the husband of Empress Maria Theresa; Emperor Franz I established a private menagerie at Schönbrunn in 1752. Court diary reports from the time mention how the Emperor would visit the zoo after morning Mass in the company of various courtiers.

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  • The amply-wigged Franz was an open-minded and progressive thinker (at least for the times), known particularly for his interest in science and nature. For example, his natural history collections provided the foundation for Vienna’s Natural History Museum.

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  • Vienna's Imperial Palace, the Hofburg, was for centuries the seat of the Habsburgs, rulers of Austria until the end of WWI. A great deal of European history was written here, in particular by Empress Maria and, for a while, the German Emperor.

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  • Today, this spectacular palace is used as the official seat of the Austrian Head of State, the Federal President.

    • Description

  • The Belvedere in Vienna is one of the leading museums worldwide. Its famous art collection includes works ranging from the Middle Ages to the present day. Austrian art in an international context is presented in three locations. Highlights include the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings as well as prominent works from the periods of Viennese Biedermeier, Austrian Baroque, Vienna around 1900, and French Impressionism.

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  • The institution's central tasks focus on exhibiting, researching, collecting, communicating, and preserving. Ongoing advancements and digitalization in all areas ensures the Belvedere’s significance as an outstanding museum of the future.

    • Description

  • Saint Stephen’s Cathedral, also called Stephansdom, or Stephanskirche, cathedral in Vienna that was burned out in the course of the Battle of Vienna in April 1945 and was reconstructed by 1952. Saint Stephen’s was established in 1147; only the west facade remains of the late Romanesque edifice that burned in 1258. A Gothic nave was built from 1304 to 1450, with a Gothic tower and spire on the south transept completed in 1433.

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  • A distinguishing exterior feature is the tiled roof in a coloured zigzag pattern.

    • Tourist Attractions

    Description

  • "Taking up a prime harborside position, the extraordinary complex of Diocletian's Palace is one of the most imposing ancient Roman structures in existence today, and it's where you’ll spend most of your time while in Split. Don’t expect a palace, though, nor a museum – this is the city's living heart, its labyrinthine streets packed with people, bars, shops and restaurants.

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  • Although it's easy to lose sight of the palace amid the bustle of Split's waterfront promenade, take time to step back and look up. The original arches and columns of the palace wall can be easily discerned above the shops and restaurants. It would have presented a magnificent face to the sea, with the water lapping at the base of the walls. It's not hard to see why Diocletian built his imperial apartments on this south-facing side of the palace, gazing directly out over the water."

    • Description

  • "The Riva started to look the way it does today two centuries ago, when the French, in time of Napoleon ruled these parts through Marshal Marmont. Today this promenade is the cities living room, the most popular and most important public place in Split. In the meantime it has been widened and reconstructed several times, but it was always blessed with the most spectacular set, the south facade of the Diocletian Palace, with the entrance into the Substructures, and later on with the buildings that were built west of the Palace, also the Franciscan monastery with the church of St. Francis, and the Bajamonti Dešković Palace and last but not least the Port Authorities building on the east end.

    • Hightlights

  • Riva today is a pedestrian heaven, thrusting with Cafés and restaurants, an ideal place for having your morning or afternoon coffee, or for an evening out with friends over drinks. Riva is the stage of the city life of Split, a venue for numerous cultural and entertainment events, boisterous Split carnival, as well as the stage for meeting Split sportsmen after countless successes, such as Goran Ivanišević, Hajduk football club players and Jugoplastika basketball players, Olimpic medal winners... Riva is also a political forum, with decades of political opportunities being depicted through mass rallies. Naturally, Riva is always at its best in time of Sudamja, a celebration dedicated to St. Domnius, the patron saint of Split."

    • Description

  • “Let's go to Bačvice” is the famous anthem of this Split bathing area officially opened in 1919. Bačvice is a natural phenomenon, a sandy beach in the heart of the city, next to the city port, and it can accommodate more than 10,000 bathers. With the appearance of the spring ebb tide Bačvice becomes Split's own Copacabana where many famous football players began, where Split rugby was born, where today both in summer and winter the game ‘picigin’ is regularly played.

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  • Today Bačvice is Split’s promenade for walkers of all ages, whilst at night it is the centre of fun for youngsters.

    • Description

  • We are completely enamored by the historic cities along the Adriatic Coast. While they are each unique in their architecture and culture, they are – to a degree – similar in their setting: cobblestone streets, narrow alleyways and wide squares…and not a whole lot of green space.

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  • Split, Croatia, however, boasts historic lanes and parks. Just steps from Old Town Split, Croatia is Marjan Hill, an expansive nature retreat.

    • Tourist Attractions

    Description

  • "Visit us and be amazed with the breathtaking views of the Old City of Dubrovnik, the crystal clear Adriatic Sea, and the numerous islands. Enjoy all the comforts of our facilities. Have a drink, snack or a meal at the snack bar or in the restaurant overlooking the Old City. Go on an adventurous ride with the Buggy Safari tour. Visit the souvenir shop, the Ohrid pearl shop or the coin blacksmithing shop and take something home to remind you of your trip.

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  • The best views of Dubrovnik and the surrounding area are, without doubt, experienced from the top of the Srd Hill. The Dubrovnik Cable Car was built back in 1969 and was enthusiastically used by millions of visitors who wanted to enjoy the most beautiful panoramic views. On a clear day, you can see up to 60 km (37 miles). For this reason the neighboring Imperial Fortress was strategically built on this privileged spot, back in the early 19th century."

    • Description

  • No visit to Dubrovnik is complete without a walk around the spectacular city walls that encircle its historic core. They're among the finest in the world and are the city's defining feature.

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  • From the top, the view over the old town and the shimmering Adriatic is sublime. From the sea, the juxtaposition of pinkish-grey stone and azure waters is mesmerizing, while from above the tight maze of church steeples and terracotta roofs is the setting for a fairy tale – or, at the very least, some Game of Thrones episodes.

    • Description

  • "Stradun (or officially ‘Placa’) is the main street in Dubrovnik Old Town. It divides the Old town (part of Dubrovnik built within medieval walls) on two, more or less, equal parts – northern and southern. Stradun is stretched from Pile Gate (western entrance to the old town) to the Old Town’s port. It used to be a channel that divided small island on which Dubrovnik was built from the mainland. Later on, the channel was filled to create the main town’s street.

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  • The street is completely pedestrianised for almost 50 years and acts as the main local promenade. As Stradun is closed to traffic, making it accessible to pedestrians only, both sides of the street are stuffed full of cafes, shops and restaurants."

    • Description

  • "One can approach it from the little Pile beach climbing the flight of stairs in the shadow of pine trees. The people of Dubrovnik built the fort in order to protect the western sea access to the City, particularly from the Venetian fleet. The construction began in 1018 and was completed in the 16th century. The thickness of the walls facing the sea is between 4 and 12 metres. Above the entrance is an inscription in Latin language: NON BENE PRO TOTO LIBERTAS VENDITUR AURO (Freedom is not sold for all the gold of the world).

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  • The fort houses a chapel of St. Lawrence, and its courtyard with a cistern serves as a magical venue for theatrical performances. A large number of plays has been performed here within the Dubrovnik Summer Festival programme. Compared with Elsinore, Lovrijenac Fort has become the perfect world famous setting for Shakespeares Hamlet. The fort is opened for visitors.

    • Description

  • "One of the most prominent and most visited Dubrovnik’s protecting towers as well as the highest point of its defence system, is the Minčeta Tower.

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  • Locally known as Tvrđava Minčeta, the fortress was named after the Mencetic family who owned the ground which the tower was built upon. And it was originally built in 1319 by a local builder Nicifor Ranjina, as a strong four-sided fort after the fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire (1453)."

    • Description

  • With beautiful views over Dubrovnik Old Town and Lokrum Island, Banje Beach is located in front of the eastern entrance to Dubrovnik Old Town (Ploče Gate), situated on the seashore of hotels Excelsior and Argentina.

    • Hightlights

  • The beach has its reception, restaurant and sleek and minimalist cafe bar on the waterfront with often snobbish clientele. You can rent your deck chair and parasol, jet ski, speed boat, and god knows what else – it keeps changing from summer to summer. Banje is well known among visitors to the town so it can be very crowded in the summer seasons.

    • Description

  • "Taking up a prime harborside position, the extraordinary complex of Diocletian's Palace is one of the most imposing ancient Roman structures in existence today, and it's where you’ll spend most of your time while in Split. Don’t expect a palace, though, nor a museum – this is the city's living heart, its labyrinthine streets packed with people, bars, shops and restaurants.

    • Hightlights

  • Although it's easy to lose sight of the palace amid the bustle of Split's waterfront promenade, take time to step back and look up. The original arches and columns of the palace wall can be easily discerned above the shops and restaurants. It would have presented a magnificent face to the sea, with the water lapping at the base of the walls. It's not hard to see why Diocletian built his imperial apartments on this south-facing side of the palace, gazing directly out over the water."

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