Gypsy travels to Vienna, Austria

On our gypsy travels around the world, our next stop is in Vienna, Austria where our Crew member Sanna Lippert takes us for a walk in the warm spring sun…

Vienna is the capital and the largest city of Austria. The city’s roots lie in early Celtic and Roman settlements that transformed into a Medieval and Baroque city, and then the capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Vienna is steeped in history. It is well known for having played an essential role as a leading European music centre, from the great age of Viennese Classicism through the early part of the 20th century. The historic centre of Vienna is rich in architectural ensembles, including Baroque castles and gardens, and the late-19th-century Ringstraße lined with grand buildings, monuments and parks. Here are some useful links, should you be interested in getting to know more about Vienna: http://www.visitingvienna.com/ , https://www.wien.info/en

The city is filled with “worth-to-see” places and events. Let me scratch the surface from a different angle today that might also get you interested in adding Vienna to your travel plans! Fleamarkets, antique and junk stores!

One of the most well known flea markets takes place every Saturday at the parking lot of Vienna´s far most famous and most luxurious food and produce market called Naschmarkt (which loosely translates to: “market for eating sweet things”). Explore not only the great edible delights of the main market, but pick up a souvenir or two from some old Austrian attic or garage! There is a big variety of junk, old objects, alterables and antiques to be found. Not everything is a bargain, but if you take time and are willing to seach, you can make good finds. Over 200 stands guarantee, that there is everything from old postcards, records, cutlery, books, buttons, clothes, furniture and anything and everything you can imagine to be found at this flea market. It is open every Saturday, all year around, from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.

I go for a visit a few times a year just for fun and I always come home with some fun objects to add to my artworks. The great thing about this flea market is that when you get hungry or thirsty, there is a full food market just a few steps away. There are also many more junk and antique stores to be found across the city. You can also make great finds at those. They are scattered around the city and you can find at least one in practically every district in Vienna. Smaller flea markets also take place in Vienna and in the outscirts on regular basis. Those are usually listed in internet. For antique stores seach for “Altwarenhandel” and for flea markets look for “flohmarkt.at”. That should get you started.

I´ve done some pretty nice finds both at Naschmarkt flea market as well as on smaller fleamarkets around the city during the past year. Old music note books, old mirrors, tins, dominoes, old notebooks and tiny metal finds. Anything and everything in between. I try not to spend much money on these things, so everything I buy, has to be cheap. Considering these things usually get altered and will not be kept in their original state, there is no use spending plenty of money or buying true antiques for this purpose.

One more thing besides the objects at the flea markets that will get your creativity going is the beautiful architecture scattered all around the city. Just look at the facade/forefront of these buildings alongside the Naschmarkt.

Sundays the stores are closed, so it is a perfect day for window shopping. You can wander around the city and its small streets and find lovely window displays and take a break at a coffee house.

When in Vienna, I highly recommend doing some sightseeing and visiting some of the museums. There is plenty to see and to get inspired by!

Public transportation is great for going from one place to another in Vienna and its surrounding areas so if you have the time, visit some of the surrounding towns and areas. Take a walk in the wine gardens, have a glass of wine and something good to eat. You will not regret it. And once you get home, you can get started with your flea market finds and create something fun!

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