A full day (well, as much of it as is light) to re-explore Vienna. I had a couple of must-sees and then would see what happened.
Free brekky at the Novotel, which was a zoo - so many family groups! I greedily heaped the raspberry coulis over my bircher muesli and grabbed a banana. Some real cough coffee.
I have resisted understanding the Hapsburgs during all my interest in history (just too complicated) and I only reluctantly took more in here. I am, however, currently watching 'Empress' on Netflix about Sisi/Elisabeth, the wife of the second last, and last substantive Emperor of Austria, Franz-Joseph (he died 1916 and the empire ended in 1918).
Metro into downtown and thankfully less crowded than yesterday. First stop the State Hall of the Austrian National Library. I love a good library (and I know
@Drakecula does too) and this was a great one. Built in the 17th century, 80m long and 20m high; over 200,000 volumes with many from the 16th century. I've been reading The Library. A Fragile History
... and its a depressing read, going though how libraries were accumulated, then destroyed or dispersed time and time again. This had a collection of one of the early German prices.
What I wasn't expecting was the crowd here. Long line to get a ticket
And the gallery itself was very busy. But spectacular
What's on the shelves?
Of course there are always twits like these - the staircase is packed going up and down, but we can just sit there and play on our phones. Coz.
