The Opera. ðŸŽ
The Wiener Staatsoper is one of the most prestigious stages in the world. Tickets can cost €250+. But the locals know a secret.
Standing Room
Go to the "Stehplatz-Kasse" 80 minutes before the show. You can get a standing ticket for €3 to €10. The view is excellent, and the acoustics are identical to the royal box.
The Scarf Trick
Bring a scarf. When you enter the standing area, tie your scarf to the railing to "reserve" your spot. Then go have a drink at the bar. It is the unwritten law of the Opera.
The Golden Kiss. 💋
The Upper Belvedere palace houses the world's largest collection of Gustav Klimt paintings. It is the heart of the "Vienna Secession" movement.
The Painting
*The Kiss* (1908). It is actually covered in gold leaf. Klimt was the son of a gold engraver, and he applied the metal directly to the canvas. Photos do not capture the shimmer.
Judith
Don't miss *Judith I*. It is smaller but even more intense. It is the femme fatale archetype that obsessed Vienna's high society.
The Palace
The Belvedere itself is a Baroque marvel. Walk through the French gardens connecting the Upper and Lower palaces for a view of St. Stephen's Cathedral.
Golden Cabbage
Local Nickname
The Secession. 🌿
"To every age its art, to every art its freedom." This motto is carved in gold above the door. This building was the headquarters of the artistic rebels who broke away from the traditional academy.
Beethoven Frieze:
In the basement lies Klimt's 34-meter long *Beethoven Frieze*. It depicts humanity's struggle for happiness. It was meant to be temporary, but it was too beautiful to destroy.
The Golden Sound. 🔔
The location of the famous New Year's Concert. The *Goldener Saal* is considered one of the three best concert halls in the world for acoustics.
The Hollow Floor
Why does it sound so good? The wooden floor is hollow underneath, acting like the body of a violin to resonate the sound.
The Ladies in Gold
The balcony is supported by gilded caryatids (female statues). Unlike stone, they are made of hollow wood, which also helps the acoustics. In Vienna, even the statues serve the music.