Walking in the Schönbrunn Park

Last Saturday (February 13) I planned to go visit the famous Werkbundsiedlung neighbourhood in the western part of Vienna built by the architects and the designers 70 years ago. I watched the documentary about it in MAK. People who lived there shared there thoughts on the life there and problems. I was interested to see it with my own eyes and prepared a plan to go by Ubahn to Schönbrunn Station, take the bike and then quickly reach this settlement which is approximately 4 kilometres away from the castle and the park. But my plans changed a bit and I am happy because of it. What happened?

Well, earlier I found out about one Instant Flohmarkt event and wanted to visit it. Since it was sunny and warm I decided not to take any public transport to get me there (and it was also relatively close) so I just put on my hat and headphones and walked to Kandlgasse. It took me maybe 15 to 20 minutes to get there. Unfortunately, it was close and everything was sold the day earlier already. So I went to Burggasse-Stadthalle which was directly accessible from the street I was in. I contacted my friend who told me he was going to be in the bar and potentially see each other later. I told him I would go to Schönbrunn and maybe further away. He wanted to accompany me for Schönbrunn so I thought to skip the visit to Werkbund settlement and enjoy the walk around the castle. Also, I was not sure if there was going to be another chance to see him in Vienna since I am leaving in 4 days. I took the ride to Längenfeldgasse UBahn station and then walked one more to Meidlinger where we were supposed to meet. I again enjoyed the view from U6 and decided that the other day I have to record the ride (and I did that, video and stories soon! ).

I waited 10 more minutes for him down at the station and then we finally met. We have not seen each other since the beginning of November when we actually met for the first time in person and went to one Erasmus party in U4 Club together. Now he broke his leg unfortunately recently but wanted to walk.

We decided that we can go by foot to Schönbrunn without using the metro.

For the first time visiting Schönbrunn when it was nice weather

And yes, I was in the good mood as well as it was sunny. The last time I was here it was around zero degrees and I was freezing, not to say that while climbing on the hill it was so misty you could not see the castle anymore (and the urban landscape as well! ).

We entered it straight away at the entrance near the UBahn station not to waste time walking till the main gates in the middle. And then small shortcut though the park and continued walking towards the hill and the road there. I took several photos of the building from the centre of the park. The pool that was in front of the monument and statues of Greek gods at the bottom of the hill was now empty. Last time it was frozen

We then went to eastern (or left there) side and started climbing up. It took us maybe 10 minutes or less to reach the top. There were again hundreds of people around, not just tourists but the locals as well. Some were running, some just walking and some came for the first time (tourists I guess) to take pictures. We stopped at the top and tried to figure out which buildings are there.

Being on the top for the first time

I was also excited a bit to see what was up there since I have never visited it earlier. There was also this huge monument and building at the top that was so familiar to me and could not remember where I saw it. Then after few seconds I got it - it is on display for the temperatures in the busses and trams! And its name is Gloriette.

There was a lake in front of it and the stairs from both sides to climb. I took my analog camera to take a picture of Schönbrunn from the centre and hoped for the best. We then climbed up to it and took more pictures. I was even asked by some weird tourists to take a photo of her and with the castle and the city in the background. On the other side huge thing was another lake or actually a pool, but not that interesting to go there and see it closely.

After one more analog portrait we started going down slowly and had fun talking about stereotypes about people and ethnicities living in Vienna and some other stuff related to languages. The time passed quickly and because of a talk we did not feel that it was all very slow and boring.

We left the complex at the same place and walked until Meidlinger metro station. There I told my friend about the Erasmus meeting this day (I came from it few hours ago) and about the German Cafe so I hope we meet again. If not there then in Zagreb.

I went home and talked with my Swiss flatmate who had her last night here before going home. I also felt tired of everything. The problem is... there are still lots of places to visit but not enough financial resources to make it possible, and I need money for food and few more bars before Zagreb. I guess I can visit Vienna anytime for anything else.

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