It’s Almost Summer, Let’s Go to The Summer Palace!

The Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens was the summer residence of the Imperial Family of Austria, and is only a short tram ride from Vienna.  The project to build the palace was started in 1695, and only completed in the mid 18th century.    The Baroque palace is surrounded by extensive gardens, even with a zoo, and many fountains and statues on either side,with walkways and pathways in between.

The Gloriette

This is the Gloriette, or summer house – not the type of summer house that would fit in my back garden!    In front you can see Neptune’s Fountain, a very detailed piece of sculpture.

The Roman Ruins

You will also find some Roman Ruins in the garden, not really from Rome, but copied in 1778 for the Empress Maria Theresia by the same architect who designed the park’s Gloriette: Johann Ferdinand Hetzendorf von Hohenberg.  Nevertheless, even though they are copied, they are still interesting and impressive.

For me, the most interesting part of the garden was the Obelisk, with its fountain and river gods.  There were so many  different creatures and symbols here, and the obelisk itself rests on the back of four turtles, which is meant to be a symbol of stability.    The main god, with water spewing from his mouth into three basins, and then into the main pool, with his long hair made from leaves and flowers, is really something worth seeing.

 

Photo 101 Day 12 – Architecture

Every time we see an unusual or interesting building, we remember that it’s all down to the architecture, which makes the building pleasing, or otherwise, to the eye.

My photos were taken at John Lennon Airport in Liverpool yesterday, and the car park is cleverly disguised by the colourful panels, as you can see.  Some of the panels are made out of coloured glass, that reflect the airport building and it’s surroundings.

Liverpool Airport Car Park

I converted the photo to monochrome, with a bluish tinge, which also looks interesting, with the blue sky in the background.

With a hint of blue.