This is a Vienna beauty that can be a bit hard to find, but is worth looking for! Hofburg, where the Austrian National Library and its State Hall (Prunksaal) is located, is a huge complex. Don’t know how many times I passed by the Spanish Riding School in search of this Baroque treasure 🙂 And the best of all, there was hardly anyone there, which means perfect photo ops! Just remember to bring a good camera as the lighting makes it hard to get good photos with a point-and-shoot. I did find the entrance fee pretty expensive at 7 euros (2014), but as I had the whole place to myself :), I could see past that.
Website: onb.ac.at/en/museums/state-hall
Wow! So beautiful! I’ve been to Vienna a few times, but never to the national library. So sorry I missed out. Hopefully there will be a next time. I love that you had the whole place to yourself 🙂
Usually these places are packed with locals/students and tourists, so I was very happy with this one 🙂
Hope I’ll be as lucky!
This place look gorgeous! I will like to visit. This is one of the things about Europe: places that serve an “ordinary: function (library, train station, city hall) are architectural masterpieces.
I have never thought about that! But, yes, many times they are. Enjoyed this one a lot.
Hi! I visited this library years ago. I still remember how impressed I was 🙂
I was so impressed by the fact that there was hardly anyone there! Loved the library too 🙂
That first photograph is gorgeous, I would love to visit someday.
With a little bit of “tweaking” it came out good! Very hard to get a nice photo with a regular camera. Great place, so recommend a visit 🙂