Vienna’s atmosphere is crisp, clean and sophisticated. The buildings and structures have much historic meaning and are very aged, however they keep their pristine look and feeling. The Karlskirche building has two distinct plague columns in the front.
From far away you cannot see, but if you look closer you can see the columns are engraved with hundreds of people spiraling up the column. These somber people are victims of the plague and add a powerful detail to what otherwise looks like another beautiful Viennese building.
The statues of the people atop the building look welcoming and peaceful. Some of them are angels, but all of them have open arms, relating to the baroque style of the church. There is a large pool of water in front of the church where locals dipped their feet in and relaxed while reading a book or chatting with friends. The Karlskirche seemed to be a place for the people of Vienna to spend time together and hang out, whether that be by the water or right on the front steps. Considering how people hang around this building, it is well respected and cared for.
The University of Vienna was not what I expected it to look like. It is quite amazing and resembles more of a museum than a typical university that I am used to. The university has large, welcoming arches. Some of the windows are surrounded by these arches or have simple square frames.
Again, I got the impression of the historical importance of this building but also noticed how well maintained it was. Just like most universities, the University of Vienna has obvious pride in their notable alumni, one of whom is Sigmund Freud. They have a beautiful wall of names of alma maters and pictures of their most famous alumni.
The domed ceilings have intricate artworks that surround the circular glass for the sun to shine through. The natural light makes the room look warm and highlights the details of the ceiling nicely. The architecture and presentation of the university looks to be a priority of the institution. The main hallways and stairwells are open and wide. The actual classrooms are much smaller and not as beautiful as the rest of the school. They are very bare and condensed compared to the openness of the main walkways. The university ensures that it looks grand and sophisticated to the public eye.
Viennese buildings prioritize their façade and appearance to the crowds. The Karlskirche building is a place of worhsip, but was mostly built to symbolize the end of the plague and is a place of union for the Viennese people. The university is obviously and educational institution, however it also showcases it’s historical significance and beauty to the public eye. These great architectural works have shown me how passionate the people of Vienna are about the appearance of where they live and how they take care of their home.
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