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Vienna is a romantic place, full of imperial nostalgia, opera houses and exquisite cakes. With these few words I could synthesize the Austrian capital.
Even if Vienna is a growing up city,the obvious place to begin exploration is Stephansplatz, the pedestrianized central square dominated by the hoary Gothic Stephansdom.
Once off the subway, you are immediately immersed in the sea of people crowding the main square, all looking up to admire the cathedral.
   
The cathedral is an impressive Gothic edifice of dark stone with a colorful tiled roof and a north tower rising to 450 feet (135m) named Alter Steffl, "Old Steve."
    
It is possible to step over the bell tower and anjoy a nice view of the city.
   
Nothing symbolises Austria's resplendent cultural heritage more than its Hofburg, home base of the Habsburgs from 1273 to 1918. The oldest section is the 13th-century Schweizerhof (Swiss Courtyard), named after the Swiss guards who used to protect its precincts. The Renaissance Swiss gate dates from 1553.
     
Passing through the gate, you will get into the museums quarter, with the imponent twins buildings of the Art and Natural history museums, and the statue of MAria-Theresa facing them
    
 
Following the perimeter of the old town, you come across the parliament, in an ancient Greek style
   
And the Rhataus plaz, the Hall.
     
Where you can have a nice prospective of the Votive church
 
   
It is possible to step out from the crowd and enjoy quiet narrow alleys
    
And you can find churchs with little surprises, as the Minoritenkirche, with a copy of the last supper 
  
Placed in the north of the city, the Prater is an amusement park for many, place of nostalgic dreams for some, oasis of greenery for almost everyone. With its giant ferry wheel
  
April '17
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