The Imperial Furniture Collection, formerly the Imperial-Royal Furniture Storehouse and later the Imperial-Royal Furniture and Materials Depository, today represents a singular combination of storeroom, workshop, administrative body and museum that is unique in the world. ‚Depository‘ in this context means the renovation, upkeep and administration of the holdings that are now accessible to the public in the new museum. The former ‚lumber-room of the monarchy‘ has over the centuries become one of the most important collections of furniture in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today a large number of original items of furniture belonging to the Habsburgs may be seen in the museum, from commodes to imperial thrones. Even exhibits that appear strange today can be seen, such as the spittoons that were de rigueur a hundred years ago. Austrian furniture designers and architects of the 20th century are also represented.

 

Organizationally, the Imperial Furniture Collection is part of the Schönbrunn Palace Cultural and Joint Operating Company (Schloss Schönbrunn Kultur- und Betriebsges.m.b.H.) All federal government ministers may borrow furniture for their chancellery for the time of their period in office. Embassies draw on furniture from this depot and film companies also use original furniture for their films.

The first weekend I was in Vienna, the first thing I did was to purchase the ticket bundle on Sisi Museum, as the most famous royalty of Austria, she has an immortal fame and mystique about her. Until 1918 the extensive palatial complex at the heart of Vienna was the political centre of the monarchy. Today it fulfils the same role for the democratic Republic of Austria. The rooms where once Emperor Joseph II drew up his revolutionary program of reforms, where the Congress of Vienna met and danced and where Emperor Franz Joseph held audiences, now house the offices of the Federal President, the ministers of the chancellor’s office and the secretaries of state.

In the Silver Collection magnificent dining services, centerpieces measuring up to 30 meters in length and exquisite napery give an impression of the lavish pomp of imperial banquets.

The Sisi Museum conveys a complex picture of Empress Elisabeth with numerous, partly very personal objects on display which afford fascinating insights into the official and private worlds of this unique woman. Here as in no other place the legend of Sisi becomes tangible, with this imaginatively designed display shedding light in the mystery surrounding the personality of this fascinating woman.

 

 

No one can deny that Schönbrunn Palace is a must-visit in Vienna, but to me this place is something else – paradise for runners.

Home to Mozart, Strauss, Freud, this country also takes pride in this former imperial summer residence located in Vienna. The 1,441-room Baroque palace is one of the most important architectural, cultural, and historical monuments in Austria. Since the mid-1950s it has been a major tourist attraction.

Its vast garden and trimmed trees provides nice shade in this hot summer, while one runs in it, the surrounding green acts like a sanctuary for our runners. On top of that, when you done exploring the forest, here goes the mountain located in the center of the park. The route on mountain itself is challenging, but the view afterwards is totally worth it.

In order to avoid the heat and tourists, I choose to run around sunset, and by the time I got to the top, I got to enjoy the night-time Wien.

Imagine yourself standing here, right in the heart of city center, yet can enjoy the luxury of peace and silence, as if you were on a spiritual tour, and finishing with stretching and meditating, with the company of the entire lovely town.

Love, Yuqing

In a hot summer afternoon, after me and my friend finishing the course at DeutschAkademie, we decided to take a detour to MuseumsQuatier.

After sunbathing for half an hour by the fountain, we wondered into mumok and totally dazzled by its unique building structure. mumok – Museum moderner Kunst Stiftung Ludwig Wien – is the largest museum of modern and contemporary art in central Europe. It is home to an extraordinary collection featuring major works of classical modernism, pop art, Fluxus, minimal art, and concept art, as well as Vienna Actionism and contemporary art.

On the first floor of exhibition, there were loads of screens hanging towards different directions, as well as headphones stringing down from ceiling. You may guess it by now, they’re for audio and video purposes, showcasing music of different genres, different times, different places. As a music lover, this particular exhibit can’t get any better. More and over, it was definitely an interesting scene that everyone was focusing on the screen in front of them, so much that felt like their minds were out of their bodies, which was strange and fascinating at the same time.

Hallo, I’m Yuqing and come from the greater China.

The first time I visited Vienna was for a medicine-related internship in January, coincidently this is also the first European city I’ve been to. Thus naturally, I fell for this elegant, yet somewhat wild city in no time.
The passion drove me back to Vienna just a month ago, and the German learning experience here at DeutschAkademie just made it even better, where I not only got useful language usages in everyday life, but also made a couple of very good friends.

1. Street Artists
It still wows me every time I walk by a street artist here, as the land of music, any random singer or band is above-average.

These brilliant orchestrators lighten winter nights in Vienna. Moreover, the beautiful harmony they played made the crowd immersed in a sense of romance.

2. Viewing Donau from the DC Tower
On a clear night, me and my friend went up the highest tower to enjoy a drink.
While I was up there looking at the Donau, with shiny neon lights, the breeze on my face, I have never felt more relax and carefree than that ever in my life. Vienna is not just a place for tourists, it is also a place where puts you at ease and makes you feel at home.

Hope you enjoy my piece and enjoy the city as much as I do.

Love, Yuqing