A Chaotic Senior Trip: Austria, Vienna - 2nd Day

Early in the morning, we returned to Vienna from Budapest by train. The journey took less than three hours. After checking in, we headed to the Old Town. Vienna's Old Town is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site under the name "Historic Center of Vienna." It's very compact and easy to explore. We visited the iconic St. Stephen's Cathedral, a symbol of Vienna. Its colorful tiled roof is particularly striking. The cathedral is not only the burial site of the Habsburg dynasty's rulers but also the venue for Mozart's wedding and funeral. Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Sisi of the Habsburg family also held their wedding ceremony here in 1854. Entry to the cathedral is free, but there is a fee to climb the tower. The intricate carvings both inside and outside were truly impressive. The dim lighting added to the solemn atmosphere. A small Christmas market had already started, and the cathedral was beautifully illuminated. Nearby, we found St. Peter's Church, one of the oldest churches in Vienna. While its exterior may not stand out, the interior is incredibly lavish and left us astonished. I hope to visit again during daylight hours. Vienna also has a Plague Column, created to commemorate the end of the plague. It stands out prominently on Graben Street.