Vienna, the City of Lights

Wow!!! Vienna is one beautiful city at Christmastime. If you have never been to Vienna this time of year, and ever get the chance, come!! Between the Christmas Markets all over town, the Gluhwein and Punsch (mulled wine and a hot punch with wine and rum) on every corner, and the incredible, beautiful lights turning the city into a virtual outdoor ballroom, this city is about as magical as any I've ever seen. Below are some interesting facts I found on the internet about the lights in Vienna, along with some photos I took yesterday afternoon in the city:

A brilliant Christmas - Have you ever seen Vienna by night?"Turn on the light!" is the motto for 40 shopping streets in Vienna on 1 December. They will be illuminated by festive Christmas lights, making Vienna one of the most atmospheric cities in the Advent season.Special Christmas lights were introduced in Vienna in 1962. The first lights were put up on Mariahilfer Strasse, Vienna's leading shopping street to this day, then on others such as Favoritenstrasse, Thaliastrasse and Reinprechtsdorfer Strasse, followed by Hütteldorfer Strasse, Klosterneuburger Strasse, Wallensteinstrasse, Alser Strasse and Nussdorfer Strasse. The number has been growing constantly - today, 40 shopping streets in Vienna display Christmas lights.

The total costs (operation, installation, removal, electricity, maintenance, storage) amount to around € 600,000. Half of this sum is made available by the City of Vienna, the other € 300,000 come from the businesspeople of Vienna's shopping streets themselves.Electricity costs make up around € 41,000, rates and taxes account for € 40,000, and the remaining € 520,000 cover the expenses for installation, removal, maintenance and storage. Despite many new technologies it is mostly light bulbs that are used (40,000 in total) - plus 150,000 LEDs (light emitting diodes) on Graben street alone. Most are arranged in festoons and other motives. Many facades, balconies, terraces and trees are decorated as well.40 electricians were practically working around the clock in November to ensure that all the bright Christmas lights are in place on time. Around 200 maintenance hours (wind damage, broken bulbs, snow damage, etc.) will be necessary from late November to early January.










Viennese street entertainer




















Horse-drawn carriage in front of St. Peter's Church

















Beautiful Viennese storefront





















The famous and beautiful St. Stephens Cathedral

















Lights!!





















More lights!!!

And more lights, still!!!!