After a morning filled with historic museums, cathedrals and significant sightseeing attractions, we chose a quiet walk in the Stadtpark near the city center instead of an afternoon tour. What a pleasure to escape the crowds and madness for a quiet stroll in this world-famous 28 acre park which straddles the Danube. The park dates from 1862 and inviting walks, eye-catching monuments and secluded benches for quiet conversation beckon to weary travelers.
Manicured paths lead past marble statues honoring Vienna’s famed artistic types: Painters Hans Canon, Friedrich von Amerling, Hans Markart and Emil Schundler along with Composers Johann Strauss the Younger, Anton Bruckner and Franz Schubert. Ducks and swans skim the tranquil waterway as gorgeous young couples walk hand in hand beneath an umbrella of trees.
Two old men sat talking and smiling on a bench in front of the gilded statue of the "Waltz King" Johann Strauss. They seemed pleased that we too were enjoying the beauty of 'their' Park. The statue of the younger Strauss, Violin in hand, above a field of flowers is the most famous statue in the park. We sat on a nearby bench for a short time, enjoying the warmth of Vienna’s June sun, before deciding it was time to move on.
As we exited the park, we found vendors and stands flooded with gigantic bunches of colorful flowers. Although we knew we would only be in Vienna for a few days, we decided to buy an armful to brighten our hotel room. A GREAT investment--for just a few schillings we had a roomful of color and fragrance during our stay in this beautiful city.