Saturday 22nd November 2025
Ringstrasse : Stadtpark : State Hall of the National Austrian Library
Today, we went to Vienna by train, once there we took the underground to Karlsplatz (Charles Square). A huge church dominates the square. Many workmen were in the square setting up a Christmas market.
Our first intention was to ride a couple of trams to see what we could of the grand buildings on the famous Ringstrasse. Unfortunately, the first tram that we boarded, turned off the grand boulevard after only a couple of minutes. It was a good job we had purchased day tickets as the second tram we got on did the same!
Well, it’s third time lucky as the saying goes and we did manage to go around most of the Ringstrasse, getting off a couple of times to see places of interest.
The Grand Opera House was the first major building to be built on the city’s ring road which circles the historic centre. One of our stops was at Stadtpark (City Park), this particular park has the largest number of statues of the city’s parks. This includes the iconic gold plated Johann Strauss Monument which is believed to be the most photographed subject in Vienna.
Without doubt, the Ringstrasse is home to many examples of imposing architecture. The uses of the buildings have altered over the years, some are now offices and luxury residential apartments and also, these days, there are quite a few Air BnB’s too!
One of my favourite structures is the Austrian Parliament Building which was constructed in the Greek Revival Style in the late 19th century.
From here, we headed to where we were on our first day in Vienna, the Hofburg Palace. We had decided to visit the State Hall which is situated within the Austrian National Library (which is within the Hofburg Palace Complex).
The library was on our list of possible things to do. It was an easy choice, partly due to the below freezing temperatures and the cold wind. Hopefully we would warm up inside!
I stood at the entrance and gazed in awe at the magnificence of the Baroque State Hall. As people walked passed me, all I could hear were exclamations of “Wow!” This lavishly decorated hall was constructed as part of the Court Library in the 18th century.
Thousands of ancient tomes on wooden book shelves line the hall. Mobile wooden steps with handrails stand here and there. One bookcase was open revealing yet another bookcase behind it. All of this reminded me of a couple of scenes from Harry Potter’s Films.
The hall’s pièce de résistance is the glorious colourful cupola fresco.
Afterwards, we walked through the stunning archway of the Hofburg Complex again and admired some more of the Statues of Hercules.
It was time to head back to the railway station for our journey back to Bratislava. In summer apart from the option of bus and train, there is also a possibility of taking an hour’s boat ride along the Danube. Apparently, the boats travel regularly and connect the two capital cities in just over an hour.
Christmas lights illuminated the popular thoroughfare named Graben. Hundreds of folk, wrapped up against the cold, were wandering down the street on one of the busiest Saturdays of the year.
We circled St. Stephen’s Cathedral and browsed the Festive Market that surrounded it. People were stood drinking hot gluhwein and punch and eating various traditional snacks.
There was a convivial atmosphere.
Then we used the underground to return to the train station, we, or perhaps I should say Dave is now getting accustomed to the public transport system. As soon as our train reached Bratislava, we took a tram to the centre where we decided to have an early dinner. Breakfast had been our last meal.
For a shared starter we ordered Bryndzové Haluŝky, the national dish. I chose roast beef (Slovakian style) for my main course and Dave ordered Hungarian Goulash served with bread dumplings and a side of rice (he was hungry!).
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