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Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg - Best Panorama of Vienna

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  Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg from Liechtenstein Collections   Kahlenberg and Leopoldsberg: The Best Viewpoints in Vienna After visiting Klosterneuburg Abbey, we made our way to Kahlenberg , one of the most spectacular lookout points in Vienna. The first landmark that catches your eye is the Josefskirche (St. Joseph’s Church), a protected monument with Baroque elegance and deep historical significance tied to the 1683 Battle of Vienna . A Visit in Two Different Years I visited Kahlenberg before, in 2014 and again in 2026, but this visit felt different. Last time, Kurt and I enjoyed the view from a restaurant terrace; this time, we explored the area more closely, taking in the skyline from different angles and adding a short hike to Leopoldsberg before heading on to Grinzing . The View from Kahlenberg From the terrace near Josefskirche, the view opens up beautifully over Vienna’s rooftops, the Danube and the surrounding countryside. If you want to linger, you can stop at Ca...
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Stift Klosterneuburg / Klosterneuburg Abbey - Unrealised Ambition

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  Stift Klosterneuburg: A Historic Abbey, Imperial Ambition and Austria's Oldest Winery Just outside Vienna, Stift Klosterneuburg ( Klosterneuburg Abbey ) arises above the town like a living monument to Austrian history. With its impressive architecture, centuries-old treasures and beautiful surroundings, the abbey is well worth a visit.  How to Get There We went from Währing to Heiligenstadt via S-bahn. Then a bus to the foot of the abbey. The views of the Klosterneuburg are gorgeous - mighty handsome buildings with blue sky and sunshine. On the way are nice meadows, flowers and pink cherry blossom at its peak time. Founded in 1114 by  Margrave Leopold III , the abbey has been continuously home to the Augustinian Canons for more than 900 years.  They were priests who lived in a community and followed a shared monastic way of life. Unlike traditional monks, they are ordained priests who actively serve the public through local parishes, education and charitable...
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Location: Klosterneuburg, Austria
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Secession - Rebellion against Traditional Art

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  Wish Come True I visited Vienna in summer 2014 and lately in March/April 2026. Last time my ex-colleague, Kurt, and I passed by the Secession Building ( Secessionsgebäude ). The golden leaf work dome ("golden cabbage") was extraordinary. But we did not have time to have a close look or walk into the building. It then sat on my bucket list.   Complimentary Visit Once a Month, First Wednesday After visiting the mother of my pen pal in Spielberg in 2026, I returned to Vienna on 1 April ( first Wednesday of the month ). Quickly I settled down in the rental apartment in Währing and headed to the Secession Building to enjoy the art with complimentary entry . Simultaneously, contemporary art exhibitions can be visited free of charge once a month.   Origin of Secession The term "Secession" relates to an important movement in art history. It was formed in 1897 by a group of formidably talented Austrian painters, graphic artists, sculptors and architects, including Jos...
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Location: Friedrichstraße 12, 1010 Wien, Austria
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Aufzug / Elevator Café - Rare Surviving Art Nouveau Style Elevators

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    A Cozy Escape in the Heart of the City When planning my trip to Vienna in March/April 2026, I also looked for cafes with nice coffee and atmosphere. A few with high scores and ‘like’ were bookmarked at TripAdvisor . The Aufzug Café was picked for its unique vibe and proposition: Jugendstil /  Art Nouveau style elevators in a café with superb coffee and wonderful homemade cakes. Positive comments are unanimous from various customers and across websites. An extra flavour – it is situated between the Main Railway Station (stone flow distance to my hotel) and Belvedere.       The Origin of Aufzug / Elevator Cafe Aufzug Café ’s owner, Christian Tauss , is a trained electrical engineer. His job involves repairing old elevators. He developed into an interest of collecting old elevators which saved them from landfill or incinerator.     A Jugendstil Gem Christian wanted to share the old Art Nouveau * elevators with the public, in everyday life ...
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Location: Wiedner Gürtel 4, 1040 Wien, Austria
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