Sisi & Kursalon

After the cemetery, I headed over to Hofburg Palace which was built in the 13th century.  The Hofburg in Vienna is the former imperial residence. From 1438 to 1583 and from 1612 to 1806, it was the seat of the kings and emperors of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, thereafter the seat of the Emperor of Austria until 1918. Today it is the official seat of the Austrian Federal President.

 There is so much to see here.  I opted to just see the "Sisi Apartments."  How do I know about Sisi?  Well, an ex-boyfriend of mine made me stay up until 4am once watching an old movie about "Sisi."  Sisi is actually the nickname of the Empress Elisabeth of Austria.  She was from Bavaria, and is still a big celebrity around there even though she was assassinated in 1898.

According to the Vienna tourism website:  Beautiful and celebrated Empress Elisabeth has long since become a cult figure. The Sisi Museum in the Imperial Apartments of the Imperial Palace compares the myth and the facts. Among the highlights are numerous personal objects once owned by Elisabeth as well as the most famous portraits of the beautiful empress.

Elisabeth’s private life is at the center of the exhibition: her rebellion against court ceremony, her escape into a beauty cult, her obsession with being slim, athletic performance, and effusive poetry. From the carefree time as a young girl in Bavaria to the surprising engagement with the Austrian emperor to her 1898 assassination in Geneva, the museum shows the restless life of the legendary empress.

Photos were not allowed inside, but you can catch a glimpse of the apartments here.

Part of the famed "Milan Centerpiece, which is 30 meters long!

One of the many Christmas markets around Vienna.

Giving free trolly rides and chocolates!

I really wanted to see some shows while I was in town..  I booked VIP tickets at Kursalon which was built in 1867.  It included a 4 course meal, front row seats to the classical music concert and a CD,  

O Mio Babbino Caro is my favorite aria.