History – Page 2 – SteveWhittythoughts1965

April 18, 2013

Photo of the Week – Statue of Ronald Reagan in Budapest

This week’s photo is of the Statue of Ronald Reagan in Budapest.

The statue is located in Freedom Square not far from the old Soviet Monument. The recent death of Margaret Thatcher has reminded me of the time they were both in power. The Cold War was at its height. Their role in ending the Cold War meant that whole of Eastern Europe was opened up to travellers to explore. I did not agree with their politics but as a wannabe traveller I am grateful to the pair of them.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

April 17, 2013

St. Stephen’s Cathedral, Vienna

One of the best attractions in Vienna is St. Stephen’s Cathedral. It is the most important religious building in Austria. There has been a church on the site since the 12th century.

When you arrive do not be surprised to see a lot of scaffolding and cloth covering the building. This is due to pollution turning the limestone exterior black. Restoration is currently underway. There is a scale model outside where you can get a perspective of what the cathedral looks like.

First thing to do is tour the outside of the cathedral. There are plenty of photo opportunities.

Inside the cathedral you can purchase an all-inclusive guide tour. This costs €12.90 and includes an audio guide, a tour of the Catacombs and access to climb both the North and South Tower. The tour of the cathedral with the audio guide follows a set path with twelve points of interest. This takes about one hour to complete. This tour can be purchased at a cost of €5.00.

The Catacombs can be toured separately for €5.00. Also known as the Ducal Crypt it holds the bodies and internal organs of over 70 members of the Habsburg family. The tour lasted for 30 minutes. Photography is not allowed.

I would love to tell you about the North and South Towers. However, I was visiting on Friday and the cathedral was closed for a lunchtime service. I could use my ticket for later on in the day. But I missed out as later in the evening as another service was taking place. My tip is to avoid visiting on Friday and Sunday.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

March 18, 2013

Vienna & Budapest – Day 5, 10 March 2013

My final day in Vienna and the batteries in my camera were starting to die. As it was a Sunday I noticed that no supermarkets were open. Being from the UK I found this unusual but I felt glad of this. It is important that people have rest from work. If the batteries give up I have the camera on my I-Phone as a backup. So I was not unduly worried.

My clothes needed freshening up so before I ventured outside it was off to the laundry. This gave me the opportunity to decide where next to visit. In the end I chose to visit the Schonbrunn Palace (Schloss Schonbrunn). According to Trip Advisor this is Austria’s most visited tourist attraction. By the time I left the Schonbrunn U-Bahn station I could see why. There were a lot of coaches parked and people queuing to get inside. There appeared a lot of coach parties from Russia and Serbia.

Once inside the palace grounds you see how magnificent it all looked. From the buildings to the gardens there is a majestic appearance that befits a royal palace.

I started off inside the palace on the Grand Tour. Like most museums in Vienna you are not allowed to take photographs. In fact you have to all your bags and coats in the cloakroom at no charge. You also get a free audio guide. The tour itself was alright however, I do feel that some of the information given did repeat from the Hofberg.

After leaving the Palace I made my way towards the gardens and for me this was the highlight of the visit. There are a few paths to walk to reach the end of the garden but once at the top you are rewarded with an impressive view of the city of Vienna.

This was the perfect opportunity for everybody to ask to take photos of each other using their camera. I must admit that I was nervous using better cameras than mine but everybody seemed happy with the results. One Japanese man was so impressed with my photography he asked me twice to take a photo. Making my way back down to the palace I walked through the woods. I had to stop while I saw this man feeding a squirrel. It was one of those moments where you had to stop and take a photo.

By mid-afternoon I decided that I needed to leave and make my way towards the Voltsplatz and explore the area around parliament. Also I was feeling hungary and I wanted to eat a Bratwurst. In the end I just wanted to walk through the city centre back to my hostel.

Tomorrow I leave for Budapest. It will be a new destination and I am looking forward to this.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

March 15, 2013March 17, 2013

Vienna & Budapest – Day 4, 9 March 2013

Another good nights rest was taken and another hearty breakfast had been eaten. I was ready to take on Vienna again. However, there was a slight setback. I had overspent yesterday and I needed to preserve my Euros. So I made the decision to visit landmarks that were going to be free of charge.

First stop was the famous Naschmarkt. This is an institution in Vienna.

A food market where you can literally eat the world. Another bonus point is the store holders who were on hand offering free samples so I could get fed as I was walking along. It is a big market and you can spend some time here. I noticed there was a hostel nearby. To have the ability to purchase and cook fresh produce daily. Being Saturday the Naschmarkt was also holding its weekly flea market.

I can only say that some people have rubbish they wish to sell. A lot of it was broken yet the locals seemed intent on buying it. Each to their own as they say. One nice thing about the market was the amount of vinyl records that were being sold. Flicking through the covers took me back to my youth where every Saturday was spent in record shops. I often wonder if CD's had not been invented would we still have record stores. It was while walking when I spotted something that literally stopped me in my tracks. Amongst the LP's the elderly gentleman was selling was a copy of Gobbels greatest speeches. I had to take a photo to share but the gentleman looked at me wondering what was the big deal.

Even though Germany invaded Austria in 1938 there were plenty of Austrians who were sympathetic to the Nazi values.

Fortified by an excellent Vanilla Custard cake that cost one euro I made my way towards the Stadtpark. It has an almost English feel to it. It contains a golden statue of Johann Strauss. Just be vary of people trying to sell you tickets to concerts. The park itself had plenty to see and photograph.

After a quick cup of coffee my final destination of the day was the Zentralfriedhoff or Central Cemetery. An unusual choice you may argue but there are some famous people buried in there. It was a long walk from the U-bahn station Stringasse. I knew I was getting close as I noticed there were a lot of shops selling gravestones.

How does one go about visiting a cemetery? After all it is a place of rest and reflection. It is Europe's second largest cemetery and is in use today. I could not get used to how large it was. As you walk you notice the gravestones. These were not individual graves but family plots that have lasted for generations. What I also noticed were how well looked after the graves were. I could see families taking as much care as if it was their own homes. It was touching to see. Also moving were the number of graves were one partner was buried whiles both names were carved on the gravestone.

You reach the main building where there is a map showing where the famous are buried. The highlight of the visit would be the grave of Beethoven and the memorial to Mozart. He is not buried in the cemetery. When Mozart died he was buried in a pauper's grave.

I also found the graves of Brahms, Joe Zawinul and Curt Jurgens. The only grave I could not find was 80's popstar Falco. Visiting the cemetery gave me time to reflect. We will all end up in that state one day. So it is best that we make the most of life while we can.

From the cemetery I made my way back to the Naschmarkt. Maybe there was a store open to get some food. By the time I had arrived there stores were closing so I made my way towards the city centre.

This is my second visit to Vienna but I had yet to see it at night time. I was simply bowled over by the sights. Again I was snapping away.

Being out at nighttime allowed me to try a Currywurst. This was not wrapped in a bun but sliced up and served on a plate with a bread roll. It still tasted delicious.

With my feet starting to feel like they could no longer take another step I made my way back to the hostel. Not before stopping off to purchase an ice cream. Yes, chocolate and caramel cone. The weather was cold but the temptation was there and I succumbed.

This was an enjoyable day where I proved that you do not need to have money to have a good time.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

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March 11, 2013March 17, 2013

Vienna & Budapest – Day 3, 8 March 2013

That was a good night's sleep. Sometimes it is good just to unwind and relax. The all you can eat breakfast is a great way to start the day. In my own mind I know what I want to do today. The thing is not to rush about and try to fit everything in one day but go at a pace I can enjoy. Anything I miss I can always catch up at a later date.

First stop after purchasing my Vienna Card is St. Stephen's Cathedral. This time I am going inside. It is a spectacular building. Initially I walked around the outside section clicking away on the camera like it was going out of fashion. I do admit to clicking too much when it comes to photography. I decided that I might as well pay the full admission fee. This will give me access to the Catacombs and entrance to the North and South Tower.

I took the self guided tour with audio guide. I followed the map and everything seemed to be going well until I reached the chapel. As I was about to look inside I was I informed that it was about to close. A christening was about to take place. Obviously, there are some well heeled families in Vienna. So I moved on to complete the rest of the tour.

When I returned my audio guide back to the counter I was told if I was quick I would make the tour of the Catacombs. I was waiting for the tour to start. However, the guide was trying his best to persuade a homeless woman that she should not be sleeping in the cathedral. She was trying her best to ignore him. So eventually we set off on the tour. There was no photography allowed so I can only describe to you what I saw. First off we were shown the final resting places of the Archbishop's of Vienna. Then we were taken to see the coffins of old Emperors. Bizarrely there were numbered containers on shelves. Each container held the internal organs of the Austrian Royal Family. The organs were preserved in vinegar. We were taken further below the cathedral. It began to feel cold and damp. The guide said this was down to the recent snowfall in the city. We were shown rooms where the bones were stacked on top of one another. There were rooms where bones appeared scattered everywhere. Then like that the tour was over and I made my way back to the cathedral. To my horror everything was closed as a service was being conducted. I asked the attendant if I could come back later to use the rest of my ticket. He said yes so it was off to the Hofberg.

From the outside the white building was a perfect photo opportunity. It is a beautiful structure.

Using my Vienna Card to get a discount I first entered the building to see the Silver Collection. It is not just about silver, there are displays of porcelain tableware as well. I came away with the impression that some people had more money then they knew what to do with.

Next stop was the Sisi Museum. I found this place to be interesting. Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) is held in great affection. This affection came after her assassination. What is interesting was that during her lifetime she was disliked for the way she treated her husband the Emperor Franz Josef. My impression was that she was a vain and self-centred woman. I could not but compare her to Princess Diana.

The final part of the tour was the official apartments belonging to the Emperor and Empress. What was pleasing about the whole Hofberg experience was the free audio guide. It helped with the whole visit.

I thought I would then make my way back to St. Stephens Cathedral to use the rest of my ticket. Again it was closed for a service. Somethings were not meant to be.

Feeling worn out I thought it would be best that I cook myself something to eat tonight. Chicken Wraps should do the trick. I just felt that I may have cooked too much.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

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March 7, 2013March 7, 2013

Photo of the Week – Model of Stephansdom

This week's photo is a model of Stephansdom (St. Stephen's Cathedral)

It is located outside the cathedral. It gives the visitor an idea of the cathedral while work is being carried out to clean the main building. It is also way of saying that I have arrived safely in Vienna after a long journey. I look forward to posting more about Vienna.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

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February 20, 2013

Golden Lane – Prague Castle

Golden Lane can be found in Prague Castle. It consists of small houses that have been compared to doll’s houses. Franz Kafka lived here with his sister between 1916-17. When the communists took over Czechoslovakia they nationalised the Golden Lane. They restored the buildings. Today the Golden Lane forms part of the Prague Castle complex. Which ever visit option you chose will get to visit the Golden Lane. However, you cannot visit the Lane on its own. It is a welcome change to all the castles and churches though it does get packed during peak times.

There is many sites to see on the Golden Lane. Just take your time and enjoy.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

January 15, 2013

St. Vitus Cathedral – Prague

St. Vitus Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral in Prague. It is part of the Prague Castle complex.

Dating from the 10th century the cathedral is an excellent example of Gothic architecture. It is also the most important religious building in the city.

Whichever tour Prague Castle option you choose St. Vitus is always included. However, I must warn you that it is extremely popular and you will find yourself being swept along with the crowds and tour parties. Despite that there is always a hush inside the building. It is only broken with sound of the staff warning you not to take photos with flash. This is the perfect opportunity for you not to use the automatic setting on your camera.

Inside the cathedral there is St. Wenceslas’s Chapel where the remains of the saint are kept. Sadly you will not be able to enter the chapel itself but can be viewed via a side window. There are plenty of statues and monuments to view that reflect the history of Prague.

It is important to take your time to explore the cathedral in order to take everything in. Otherwise if you allow yourself to be swept up in the crowds you may end up on missing out on a lot on what the cathedral has to offer.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

November 17, 2012

City of Lichfield

The city of Lichfield is situated in the county of Staffordshire and lies to the north of Birmingham. A small place given city status because of the cathedral. It is worth visiting from Birmingham to spend a city here. A historical city it is famous for being the birthplace of Dr. Samuel Johnson.

The best way to get to Lichfield is to take the London Midland train from Birmingham New Street to Lichfield City station. Journeys take around 40 minutes. The most expensive adult ticket costs £7.10 for a day return. Once you arrive into the station it is a five minute walk to the city centre.

There are several attractions to visit in Lichfield and I will list a few of my favourites. Firstly, I will point you towards the cathedral. Originally to be classified as a city in England you had to have a cathedral. What makes Lichfield Cathedral unique is that it is the only medieval cathedral that has three spires.

The next place I would recommend you visit s the Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum. Acting both as a museum and bookshop it tells the life story of Dr. Samuel Johnson perhaps Lichfield’s most famous son. Items that can be viewed in the museum include Johnson’s personal armchair and tea set. The museum is located on Breadmarket Street and has free entry.

website – http://www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk

Another attraction that you should visit is Erasmus Darwin House. Erasmus Darwin, the grandfather of Charles Darwin was a renowned doctor, inventor, poet and scientist who lived in the city for over twenty years. Included in the museum are two rooms with audio and visual exhibits. One pleasing aspect of the house is the Georgian herb garden that contains plants from the period. The museum is located on Beacon Street. Admission costs £3.00 for adults.

website – http://www.erasmusdarwin.org

A perfect place to go for a walk is Beacon Park. Originally marshland it was reclaimed in the 19th century. It is home to various sporting facilities used by the citizens of Lichfield. There are also monuments and statues. The most famous being of Edward Smith, the ill-fated captain of the R.M.S. Titanic.

If you are looking for entertainment then a visit to the Lichfield Garrick Theatre is a must. Opened in 2003, it is named after the famous 18th century actor David Garrick who was born in the city. The theatre shows plays and concerts while a local Rep company is based there.

website – http://www.lichfieldgarrick.com

Finally, if you are looking for somewhere to eat I would personally recommend ‘The Spark Cafe Bar’. Situated on Tamworth Street it serves excellent food at reasonable prices. The coffee is also excellent. There are plenty events that take place including live comedy and music. It is also home to a book club.

website – http://www.thesparkcafebar.co.uk

There is plenty more of Lichfield to see. It is a rewarding place to visit for the day. It has a small town feel where the pace is unrushed.

Until the next post, stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve

October 27, 2012

Museum of Communism – Prague

No visit to Prague cannot pass without mentioning the history when Czechoslovakia was under communist rule. The Museum of Communism tells the story of this time. Admission for adults 190 CZK, Students with ID 150 CZK. Children under 10 years of age have free admission.

Ironically the museum is located above a McDonald’s on Na Příkopě. Communism right next to an icon of the free market.

The museum is split into six sections and also include a cinema and a mock-up of an interrogation room.

The sections are:

The Origins
The Dream
The Reality
The Nightmare
Cult of Personality
Velvet Revolution

These sections follow in a chronological order to tell of life for the ordinary citizen. It looks at the various areas of everyday life such as politics, sport, daily life, education, propaganda, censorship, the army and police. There is also a display about the show trails that took place.

The Cinema shows a film about the struggle for freedom for the Czechoslovakian people. It particularly highlights the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution. It was certainly moving and I could see people having to wipe away tears from their eyes. It makes you grateful about the things you take for granted.

Would I recommend the museum as a place to visit. The answer is yes. One cannot separate communism from the history of Prague and how people suffered and why they took to the streets for their freedom. There are relics all around the city. It is a good way to spend an hour or two especially for the history fan.

Until the next post stay safe, stay healthy and keep smiling.

Steve