Franz Josef Exhibits

Hi,

It is, isn't it, 100 years ago. Thanks for the information. That had escaped me, I'm glad I'll be there in a month. There is also a Franz Joseph museum/house in Baden bei Wien. Take the public transportation from Karlsplatz across the street from the Staatsoper to reach Baden bei Wien.

If you're into seeing the history of the monarchy and of him personally, I heartily suggest doing a day to Bad Ischl,not far from Salzburg. Bad Ischl was site of FJ's summer residence, ie, the Kaiservilla. Since it is the 100th year, I would assume more would be on display/exhibit. It was at the Kaiservilla where FJ finally decided to write the war declaration against the Serbs to his Foreign Minister, not in German, but in French in July 1914 and where FJ wrote his "An meine Völker" speech. That desk and the speech are shown on the tour. You can only see the Kaiservilla by tour, the tour is given only in German, , just as in the old days, no audio phones. At least no one asked for one nor was it ever mentioned by the young female tour guide who just proceeded in German after collecting the tickets.

Fred , thanks for the heads up - we will be in Vienna in October , and Bad Ischl is now on our itinerary

I have been to the Kaiser Villa in Bad Ischl and it is worth visiting as well as the town.
Mike

Thanks for all the info! I hadn't had Baden bei Wien on my list, but if it's that close to Karlsplatz, I shouldn't have any difficulty fitting it in. Sadly, I won't make it to Salzburg this time around (my first, and I'm planning to just stick to the great number of sites available right in Vienna - I expect to span out more next time).

I just mentioned these two sites since they're the ones I expect to see, but there were a number of them having special exhibits throughout the country (with a discounted pass to see all of them, if one was so inclined), so check out the Schonbrunn palace site (or any of the major imperial sites) for more info. Fred, if you happen to come across either of the two I mentioned, I'd love to hear what you think of them.

Baden is an entirely different town quite south of Vienna. It is a 40 minute tram ride from Karlsplatz to Baden. Not saying that it isn't worth it, I just wanted to clarify that Baden is no where near Karlsplatz.

If this era and incident is of interest to you, then I am sure you have the Military Museum on your list as well (they do have the car he was shot in and the blood stained clothing):

http://www.hgm.at/en/exhibitions/exhibitions/sarajevo.html

@ cloos64....As pointed out it's from Karlsplatz where one can go to Baden bei Wien by public transportation, ie, no need to take the train. Since I've booked more than a week at the hotel in Vienna end of May/June, Baden bei Wien is on my itinerary too as well as taking that tour (finally ) to see the inside of Schönbrunn, to be sure this one historical part that was recommended to me. I am sure this 100th year mark of Franz Joseph will be have special exhibits, if my past visits in Wien falling on a historical year "anniversary" is any indication, such as in 2009, (a special exhibit on Napoleon in 1809 and Schönbrunn) and in 2014 because of 1914. In 2014 there was near the Albertina (I stumbled onto it) a special Franz Joseph exhibit on a huge long banner displayed with the title of his speech written in July 1914 "An meine Völker" when the monarchy went to war....just grim.

"...for someone who has studied a bit about that era?" I say see that Army History Museum (Heeresgeschichtliches Museum) as suggested above, especially if you have a good reading knowledge of German, the expanded and new WW 1 exhibit starting on the ground floor as you enter, through, a different perspective, historically esoteric to anglophone viewers, read the quotations shot against the wall, the realia on the K & K Army in the displays.

Someone kindly pointed out to me that I have confused the Franz. Same era, different Franz, but a worthy visit nonetheless. The 100th anniversary of his assassination was in 2014. Austrian history isn't my thing, clearly.

That was Franz Ferdinand, Heir to the Throne and assassinated in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914.

Thanks for clarifying about Baden. I clearly misread. I'll have to see how things go and make a decision while I'm there. I like to leave a lot of leeway for delays or just to spend more time enjoying something, so I may wind up with a free afternoon by the end. I had not considered the Military Museum, which sounds fascinating. I'll have to see about adding that as well. I really appreciate everyone's thoughts.

Hi,

"Fascinating"...it is indeed. Keep in mind as you go through the history in Army Hist. Museum (HGM) that from 1740 on Austria was on the losing side or only prevailed/won because of allies. Obviously, you don't sense that as you see the exhibits from 1740 to the end of the monarchy in 1918. The date 1740 is significant since it starts what the Germans call Dualism (Dualismus) in their history. Silesia in 1740 is taken from Austria, which it never gets back. That big exhibit under the title "Die Franzosenkriege 1789-1815" (the wars against the French) shows what happened on the the wall map against Revolutionary France and Napoleonic France but not the diplomatic results, ie Austria on the losing side four times from 1797 to 1809, all imposed by Napoleon. Austria prevails, is on the winning side against Napoleon in 1814 only with the help of allies. The monarchy barely survives the revolutions of 1848-49, only in northern Italy does it win a clear cut victory single handily; against Hungarians, only with massive Russian help do the Austrians prevail. Then from 1859 to 1867 the Austrians lose to the French (again), Prussia, and the Hungarians, (a political compromise/settlement), after which the monarchy has to settle for being the Dual Monarchy, Austria-Hungary.