AUSTRIA - Best of Europe 2014 - page 40

▲ St . Michael'sChurchCrypt Finalrestingplaceofabout100wealthy18th-century
Viennese. Hours: By tour Mon-Sat at 11:00 and 13:30. See here .
▲ Natural History Museum Big building facing the Kunsthistorisches, featuring the
ancient Venus of Willendorf . Hours: Wed-Mon 9:00-18:30, Wed until 21:00, closed
Tue. See here .
▲ Karlskirche Baroquechurchofferingtheunique(andtemporary)chancetoridean
elevator up into the dome. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:00-18:00, Sun 13:00-18:00. See here .
▲ Academy of Fine Arts Small but exciting collection by 15th- to 18th-century mas-
ters. Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon. See here .
▲ The Secession Art Nouveau exterior and Klimt paintings in situ . Hours: Tue-Sun
10:00-18:00, closed Mon. See here .
▲ Naschmarkt Sprawling, lively outdoor market. Hours: Mon-Fri 6:00-18:30, Sat
6:00-17:00, closed Sun, closes earlier in winter. See here .
▲ Museum of Military History Huge collection of artifacts tracing the military his-
tory of the Habsburg Empire. Hours : Tues-Sun, 10:00-17:00, closed Mon. See here .
▲ Kunst Haus Wien Museum Modern art museum dedicated to zany local artist/en-
vironmentalist Hundertwasser. Hours: Daily 10:00-19:00. See here .
▲ Imperial Furniture Collection Eclectic collection of Habsburg furniture. Hours:
Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, closed Mon. See here .
Thepresentchurch(from1733)standsatopearlierchurchesdatingback1,600years.On
either sideofthenaveareglass cases containing skeletons ofChristian martyrs fromRoman
times.AbovetherelicontheleftisapaintingofthemodernsaintJosemaríaEscrivá,founder
of the conservative Catholic organization Opus Dei, of Da Vinci Code notoriety.
Mozarthaus Vienna
Exhibits fill the only surviving Mozart residence in Vienna, where he lived from 1784 to
1787, when he had lots of money (and produced some of his most famous works, including
The Marriage of Figaro and Don Giovanni ). Opened in 2006 to commemorate Wolfgang's
250th birthday, this museum is easy to get excited about, but it disappoints. While the mu-
seum might be worth the time and money for enthusiasts, I much prefer the Haus der Musik
(described earlier).