A Place Called Roam
  • Home
  • Tao of Travel
  • The Best Of
  • Archives
  • About
  • Contact Me

DUSK REVEALS TRUE MAGIC OF LINZ, AUSTRIA

1/15/2013

 
There’s something magical about a city at dusk, especially a city halfway around the world.

Like fireflies blinking with the excitement of nightfall just a breath away, Jimmy and I, along with two friends, took to the streets of Linz, Austria for a stroll. Seeped in history and her unique blend of old and new, the magic of the moment was both colorful and ephemeral, our
delight in simply savoring the sights and sounds of Austria’s third largest city memorable.  
Picture
Life appears a bed of roses (okay, flowers) based on Linz Main Square. Trinity Column tops it all.
The Lentos Art Museum, a monolith of bright lights heralding Linz’s faith in the new millennium since 2003 seemed a fish out of the blue Danube waters nearby, juxtaposed as it was so close to the 14th century in which the Main Square of Linz has reigned for thousands and thousands of years. 
Picture
Linz's Lentos Museum of Modern Art is as purple as she is passionate about her cultural contributions.
Poised between heartbeats, the next wave of energy to breath life into this industrial, economic and commercial hub of 200,000 people was patiently waiting for the sun to fade and the sky to turn to indigo blue.  
Picture
It was easy to see why Linz is an economically vibrant and busy industrial city.
We observed electric trams and trolley buses sharing quiet passage with the pedestrians lining the cobblestoned streets of Altstadt (Old Town), the picture of tranquility a true rendition of this relic of the Roman Empire.
Picture
The future rides straight through Linz's past via these sleek trains.
Just beyond the Main Square, we spotted the twin towers of the Church of St. Michael and St. Ursula. Once a former nunnery built between 1736 and 1772, it was abandoned by the ursuline sisters in 1968 and purchased by the Upper Austrian State in 1973.  Today it’s a  cultural center lending credence to Linz’s distinction as the European Capital of Culture in 2009.
Picture
All railroads obviously lead to Linz's twin towers.
Picture
This Baroque beauty's charms were not resticted to her two best features.
We let curiosity be our guide, opting for the tallest landmarks to set our course;
Picture
And your point is . . . ? 135 meters tall.
serendipity carried us down quiet narrow streets that would suddenly intersect
Picture
There were no dark alleys in Linz - only labyrinths of intrigue.
busy avenues charged with electricity feeding the diversity of people and culture unique to Linz.
Picture
Linz's Provincial Government State House keeps an eye on her subjects.
We strolled past store fronts filled with relics from the past one moment, the next
Picture
One person's trash is another's treasures.
moment boasting modern marvels of the twenty-first century.
Picture
Joan was 'sew' excited to spot this creme de la creme sewing machine, the Bernina.
We reached the Cathedral of Saint Mary as dusk bathed this French neo-gothic landmark in shades of mystery and history.  The imposing edifice of Austria’s largest church (it seats 20,000) suggested there was no doubt all 150+ years of history were significant.  
Picture
No sign of Batman, but I think I might have seen a robin.
Picture
The place was filled with shadows of the past.
I was wistful as we made our way back to the Main Square and the ship that was our home away from home in this world of antiquity.  

The warmth of Linz’s old world charm defied the cool temperatures that had slipped in along with nightfall.  As much as I wanted more, I knew too, the mystery of it all was part of her charm. 

From our ship I watched the last of the light fade and darkness turn the blue Danube jet black. As our ship prepared to launch into the night and head for yet another European port, the city of Linz was gracious in bidding us farewell. 
Picture
International powerhouse Ars Electronica dazzles Linz with nightly light shows.
Joan
1/15/2013 05:29:13 am

That was a special nighttime walk. Thanks for the memory; I'd forgotten about the Bernina.

Sherry
1/15/2013 05:54:30 am

The pictures certainly help with the memories.


Comments are closed.

    About

    I'm searching for more meaning, magic and mystery in life through travel.  If you're searching for more info about me click on this link.   

    Categories

    All
    Attractions
    Botanic Gardens
    Cities
    Cruises
    Culture
    Europe
    Food
    Fun Foto Friday
    How You Venn?
    Islands
    Lake Geneva
    Life's Mysteries
    Middle East
    Museums/Memorials
    National Historic Landmark
    North America
    Nothing To Do With Travel
    Parks/zoos
    Photos
    Random Thoughts
    Restaurants
    This Thing Called Travel
    Top Ten
    Tuesday Travelista
    UNESCO World Heritage Site
    Who Knew?
    Zen Travel Moment

    View travelbug's photos on Trover

    Blog Roll

    This Is Indexed
    NatGeo Travel
    Science Dump
    Traveler Writers Exchange
    Matador 
    Brain Pickings
    House By the Sea
    Time Goes By
    The Happiness Project
    Dictionary of Obscure 
       Sorrows

    For Automatic Blog Updates
    in same time click the RSS Feed button below and sign up for email notices or click the Like button below for automatic updates to your Facebook page. 

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly