A castle, a cathedral and music...

Posted Thursday, July 30, 2009 from Rome - photos taken in Austria on Wednesday.

The Ambras Castle was built in the 15th century by Archduke Ferdinand II of Austria.

Ceiling, of wood, in the Great Hall.

Paintings of Kings, Queens and royalty adorned the walls of the Great Hall.

Altar in the small chapel in the castle.

The Cathedral of St. James - built in 1717 - was heavily damaged during WW II. It ranks as one of the prettiest churches that we saw, in Europe.

High Altar

One of the paintings in the ceiling - which appears like a dome. The guide informed us that the painting is "as flat as a pancake" - but the technique used by the artist gives it a dimensional effect.

At the end of our day, as we finished our dinner, we heard the sounds of a parade. We followed the music and were entertained by an Austrian band. During the month of July, each evening different bands from the regions of Austria, as well as neighboring countries, play in the courtyard of the Imperial Palace.

Great way to end a perfect day - with music under the stars.