The Hofburg in the heart of Vienna is a large rambling complex that served as the winter residence of the imperial family and "office" of the emperor year round. It was begun in the 13th century and was expanded for centuries by successive Habsburg rulers; the last addition was built in 1913, just a couple of years before the end of the monarchy. I've always liked palaces (big surprise there) but the Austrian experience also revealed to me my fascination with crystal chandeliers.
We begin at the "front door" and its enormous porte-cochรจre.
the gown Empress Elizabeth (Sisi) wore for her coronation as Queen of Hungarythe emperor's conference roomEmperor Franz-Josef's office (my grandparents couldn't possibly imagine their grandson could be standing here)the emperor's bedroomlunch!even little rooms had their chandelier the empress's bedroomlove the monogrammed sheets! Sisi's bureau some of her gym equipment; she was way ahead of her time with physical fitness
her bathroom
Sisi's salonnice clock!Since 1946, part of the palace has been the official workplace of the Austrian Federal Chancellor.
her bathroom
I, too, have a thing for quality crystal chandeliers. These are some beauties.
ReplyDeleteThey must have quite the detailed cleaning staff to keep everything so sparkling!
ReplyDeleteThe palace has a whole system of corridors behind the walls of the formal rooms where the servants moved around, so as not to intrude.
DeleteI. can read your smile in this post.
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DeleteMy grandparents had a crystal chandelier in their old farmhouse dining room. I loved it when when the sun would shine through the windows and the prisms would make rainbows all over the walls. One of my cousins has the chandelier in his dining room and ROYGBIV shines on his walls these days.
ReplyDeleteNice!
DeleteI don't miss the empire but I miss the emperor.
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