On my wanderings I was fortunate enough to find quite a few of them – walk in, appreciate the architecture and the cool air, and continue my explorations. As with many of the churches I’ve explored on this trip, there really isn’t too much else to say about it… it’s a beautiful gothic / baroque style building, nicely quiet and serene.
It’s simply there, as a beautiful example of architecture and design. No more, no less.
After emerging from the endlessly ornamented underground crypts of the Hapsburgs, I felt like I needed a bit of opulence to make up for the sudden lack of decadence.
I set my sights on the Natural History Museum – the twin to the Art History museum, one that I expected to fully satiate my need for incredibly ornamented beauty. On the way, though, I found their equal – or even their better, if you’re interested in gothic architecture over baroque.
St Stephen’s Cathedral, a landmark of soaring gothic buttresses and spires.
I… uhh… I explored it. Went in, looked around, took some photos… I mean, it’s a cathedral, but it didn’t have an unexpected concert going on, so I didn’t really have much reason to stay too long. There were some beautiful paintings, of course, but… well, I wandered, explored, and moved on.
Now, to be clear, I could have explored much further. There were catacombs and tombs, from what I could gather, along with a bell tower that could be visited. All of those, though, required one to book a tour… which only ran at certain times of the day.
For one reason or another, I was feeling a bit antsy. I wanted to walk, and to move, and to do my own thing on my own timetable. I avoided the tours, and set my sights on my next stop – relegating the various tours and options to my list of things to see the next time I visit Vienna.
My adventures brought me to a town I can’t pronounce.
Translated, the name means “Church Farm Cloister”, which is a very direct and simple description of the town – there’s a church, there’s a farm, and there’s a cloister. Or… there was, back when the name was picked. Or someone was describing it, and the other person thought that was the name? Man, I don’t understand people today, much less vikings.
And that’s a neat part! This town WASN’T founded by Vikings! At least, not entirely…. the cloister was founded by Irish Monks, who practiced and early form of Christianity back when Iceland was primarily following the Norse religion. It’s a beautiful down, snuggled into a valley with the standard huge soaring cliffs and cascading waterfalls that’re so common in Iceland.
Of interesting note – there’s two great restaurants, and Iceland’s tallest tree here.
Of also interesting note – There’s one of Iceland’s first hydro power generation facilities here! I can’t really call it a “generation plant”, since it’s approximately the size of my bedroom, but… very neat piece of previously-lost history, reclaimed by Icelandic artists.
Of further interesting note – Great hiking. We had a grand old time braving the rain and kicking around the trails around town, above town, and through town. Definitely worth the visit if you happen to be in the area!
