We arose early as Cousin Fritsch called at 9 to take us to the Kahlenberg. On our way there, we passed, among other handsome buildings, the imposing Reichsratsgebäude (Parliament) built in 1883 in Greek Style. The Chamber of Deputias on one side and the Upper House on the other form two independent buildings adorned with marble statues and bas reliefs and crowned at the corners with bronze quadrigal. The portico borne by columns is surmounted by a pediment group representing the “Granting of the Constitution.”

Austrian Parliament building, Vienna.

Between the broad approaches leading to the portico is the imposing Minerva Fountain, 50 feet high, crowned a colossal figure of the old girl with a Nike in the left hand. Below are allegorical groups of children. The approaches again are flanked by bronze groups of horse tamers and, at the top, eight statues of Roman and Greek Sistorians. A wonderful building.

We ascended the Kahlenberg, which is 1400 feet high, by a “Zahuradbahn” (cog wheel or rack and pinion system) and reached the top in one-half hour, passing through vineyards and fine woods. We then climbed some 100 steps up to the top of the Stefaniewarts, or view tower, and had a fine view of Vienna, the Danube and environs also of the Alps.

At a restaurant, we lunched and went into the little church which is connected with the village. Returning home, I skipped off by myself to see Cooks, and from there I went into the Augustiner Kirche, where I saw the beautiful marble monument of Maria Christina, daughter of Emp. Maria Theresia who died in 1792. It is by Canova and consists of a fine Pyramid into the opening of which Virtue steps with an urn.

In the Chapel of St. George I saw the monument of Emp. Leopold II who died in 1792, this is of marble. I also passed through the Loretto Chapel where the hearts of all the Emperors and Empresses are preserved since the founding of the Imperial Burial vaults in the Capuchin Church.

Passing along I came to the Joseph Platz and saw the fine bronze equestrian statue of Emp. Joseph II; also to the Michaeler Platz with the old Hofburg. From here I had a fine view of the Hercules groups and the two fine fountains. I looked in at the Church of St. Michael erected in 1219 and altered in the 17th and 18th century. Over the High Altar is an immense group representing the Fall of the Angels, made in stucco. Many tombstones of the 16th to the 18th century are in this church.

Home for supper at the restaurant with Aunt Kinsky and Alfred. After supper, we went to see the Hochstrahl Brunnen (fountain) play. It was illuminated in various colors, and it made a beautiful sight. At the same time a band played, and they kept this up until 10:30 p.m. They are a wonderful set, these Viennese, and they know “How to do things.”

Right in this Schwarzenberg Place is a Public Toilet for men and another one for women. It is under the ground, right in the center of the place. A flight of stairs lined with pretty tiling leads down to it, and the place itself is fitted up with fancy tiling, the woodwork finished in mahogany, art glass in brass and all the latest sanitary arrangements. Above these rooms, on the surface, is a pretty garden, with flowers and shrubs surrounding the skylights, which given the light for below. The funniest part here, as well as in other places, is that a woman attends to the place for men as well as women.

Vienna, Fountain of Light
[Editor’s note: this is not the fountain Hermann refers to above.]