The Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit Church) was begun in 1627 at the peak of the Jesuit’s power, and has elements of the Counter-Reformation and is one of the best examples of Baroque churches in Vienna. The spiral columns are amazing and each niche has columns of a different exotic stone and is lined with other exotic and beautifully grained marbles. The church is also known for a trompe l’oeil dome which causes the viewer to believe the church is domed by a trick of the eye. However this was obscured with a spaceman moving across space on the ceiling as part of a Vienna “Art Week” installation, where all churches and buildings were opened and contained art for the public.

This church is followed by Stephansdom. Begun in the 1130s, reduced to rubble by fire in 1258, and work was begun on the current building in 1304. My favorite item in the church was the salamanders and toads creeping up the railing to the pulpit . At the very top is a barking dog keeping them at bay, or so history says. I prefer to think they suspected the theory of evolution was coming!

Walking around we passed store full of masks. Vienna is still the city of balls and dancing. The night life in this city is not to be ignored as well. We soon found favorite bars and coffee shops. I sampled the Eisekaffee across Europe, in Vienna with lots of cream and ice cream, in Munich with Cream and ice cream and liquor… ja wunderbar!