In the Aida Window

Chocolate renditions of Stephansdom cathedral on display in the Aida Cafe window:

A cheerful yellow Easter cake next to Aida's version of the Sachertorte:

Curly Door

One of Vienna's many ornate doors, this one to a clothing store on Kartnerstrasse. 

Trekking Up the Tower

The 343 spiral stairs up Steffl, the largest tower of Vienna's Stephansdom cathedral, provide some good exercise.  Luckily, the occasional windows en route provided a chance to catch my breath under the guise of another photo op.

While most of this magnificent Gothic cathedral dates to the 14th to 16 Centuries, and part of it to 1200, the structure was bombed and burned during the last two weeks of WW II and had to be rebuilt.  The restoration crews did a marvelous job. 

Some of the views from the tower:

That's Belvedere Palace with the large garden:

Sights on the way back down:

Patterned Textures in Stone, Iron and Shadow

Stone and iron details at the entrance to Vienna's Stephansdom cathedral.

Signs of Spring in Pink and Green

From the window of the always-gorgeous flower shop behind Stephansdom in Vienna's city center.

Chocolate Fantasy

This too-cute-to-eat chocolate fantasy inhabits the Gerstner window on Vienna's Kartnerstrasse:

The Old Dorotheum Today

Founded as a pawn shop in 1707 by Holy Roman Emperor Joseph I, Austria's Dorotheum is the oldest of the world's large auction houses.  Like a swanky flea market, it's where unwanted items find someone to appreciate them again. There's much value in creating quality items that can be used and passed down repeatedly; it's a sustainable practice that makes economic and cultural sense and is more caring of the environment than trashing old items.  Housed in a grand palace, it's a treat to see the furniture, art, lamps, dishes, coats, jewelry and other household items of high society from days—or centuries—past.

Incense in Stephansdom

Incense smoke lingered in the air, softening the stained glass tinted sunlight, after Sunday morning services at Vienna's magnificent Stephansdom cathedral.

Snowdrops Near Tulln

Taken along a country road near Tulln, Austria last weekend.  Snowdrops are said to bloom just before the vernal equinox which, in this case, was right.

Alte Bücher

Flashing neon directs the pedestrian to an antique bookshop on Vienna's Wollzell.

These old books are a bounty of visual exuberance.  Splendid flourishes and old Germanic fonts grace this 1881 German edition of Andersen's Fairy Tales.

Found: Trousers and Shoes

From the Odd File:  In Vienna, it's quite common to see found items like a mitten or hat that someone lost and someone else picked up and put in a visible place for the owner to retrieve.  This is the first time I've seen a pair of adult-sized pants and shoes. Very curious as to the story behind them.

News Dressing Over Time

Dresses made of newspapers and magazines displayed against a swiftly moving clock grace the main window at Swarovski's large Kartnerstrasse shop in Vienna's city center.

Petal Heads

Spring, when a young woman's thoughts lightly turn to...flowers?

Mannequins in Vienna's Steffl shopping center, First District.

Lucky Doors

Despite the neglect they have suffered, these dusty doors in the center of Vienna still convey a measure of poetic dignity. Their green color and glass designs are reminiscent of lucky four-leaf clovers, appropriate for St. Patrick's Day....Which reminds me, what a great time to wish good luck to you!

Flowerful Chandelier

Bright Blumen