Vienna Part Three

 Alas, all of a sudden it was our last day in Vienna! How did that come about so quickly? I swear we must have fallen through a time warp or something because 4 days cannot have come and gone already. But alas, they had!

Our final day was a packed one. We started off at the Leopold Museum, with its large collection of art spanning many years. Entry was from 17 euro's, and although the collection was not the best I've ever seen, the building was beautifully designed and had this lovely feeling of space and openness. No pictures allowed, so you'll have to use your imagination to see what it looks like!

However, what we visited next was for me, the highlight of our visit. Called the Virgil Chapel (Virgilkapelle), its located at Stephansplatz by the cathedral. It was found in 1973, and is one of the most atmospheric and enticing places you can visit. You get given a brilliant audio guide and descend down a dark metal staircase into the chapel. And it is phenomenal. Feeling like you're entering some kind of religious initiation, you start to see these glorious paintings on the wall in a commanding red colour. The space itself is small, but that doesn't matter. James found it an oppressive atmosphere, but for me, it found like a space to loose yourself in, and the atmosphere just made me want to learn more. It was built in the 13th century, and was part of a religious complex and church on the surface. However, the chapel is all that remains, and there is an outline of the former church marked in the pavement above.

There's a couple of display cases with some more of the stunning art work. I just love the way the white veil drapes around the woman's (I'm assuming she is Mary)

More of the red details in the alcoves. Imagine what this would have looked like when it was first built.

One of the red crosses as you come down the stairs. For only a couple of euro's entry, this was well worth a visit, and gets bonus points by having an audio guide that not only was dramatic, but also interesting and informative. Why can't all audio guides be like that? 

We then headed over to the Ephesos Museum, at the Kunst historisches Museum. Having been to Ephesus while in Turkey, and explored the sprawling site, I was excited to see some of it's treasures here in Vienna. And I wasn't disappointed. There was some incredible exhibits, from this stunning feathered pillar to the intricately carved bull with garlands. The museum itself is fantastic, full of marble, and some Harry Potter esque staircases.

Pretty grand eh? We then headed for our final attraction, the Imperial Treasury, giving you a glimpse of the extra-ordinary wealth of the rulers of the Habsburg empire. These items are astounding in thier cost, and the fact there was the resources available to make them. I can't imagine that crown was very nice to wear though, it looks far too heavy!

This would make an excellent centrepiece on my dining table!

The imperial treasury is open every day, with tickets starting from 13 euros. I'll say it now, the gift shop is just as expensive!

And it was back to the apartment to pack, for we were flying home early the next morning. But it was so good to be back in Vienna. Who knows when we might be back again? But please let it be soon!