11/29/13   Vienna, Austria

The Austrian Parliament Building looked festive with the large red bow.


The lavish Hofburg Palace housed some of the most powerful people in European and Austrian history, including the Habsburg dynasty, rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire and served as their principal winter residence.  It currently serves as the official residence of the President of Austria.  The front section of the building was completed in 1913, whereas the older sections of the building date back to 1279 AD.


In an older part of the Hofburg Palace, the Vienna Lipizzaner Stallions Training School is located.


The Vienna City Hall Building is ready for Christmas with the Christmas Market located in front of the building.


We enjoyed browsing the gigantic Christmas market.   It is one of the largest Christmas markets in Europe.


On the streets we saw several horse drawn carriages for hire.


We enjoyed seeing the trams run along the streets of Vienna.


St. Stephen's Cathedral is the seat of the Archbishop of Vienna.   The current Romanesque and Gothic form of the cathedral was largely initiated by Duke Rudolf IV (1339–1365) and stands on the ruins of two earlier churches, dating back to 1147 AD.


Beneath the Hoher Market Square are Roman ruins dating back to 27 BC.