VIENNA’S GRAVE SENSE OF HUMOUR
The largest cemetery in Europe appears to hide a rather wicked sense of humour.
That sense of fun seems to be there with both the living and the dead!
Probably the most visited graves in this huge necropolis of the Zentralfriedhof in Vienna are those of some of the world’s most famous composers Beethoven, Strauss, Schubert and Brahms.
Therefore on the day of my visit it’s appeared to be surrounded with an array of water sprinklers that made for some very entertaining viewing of these world famous musician’s monuments.
Of course this was providing you were rather fleet of foot!
Sheltering from the water jets behind grave of Johannes Brahms.
What could be described as an incredible and accurate aquatic ambush that any military unit with weapons would have been proud of.
Any time longer than a few seconds viewing and a sweep of not just one but three sprinklers were like to home in on you with sprays of cooling water it must be said on a very hot day that could have come straight from the near by Blue Danube! Never the less us tourists rather than the grass appeared to be the more likely targets.
A Sense of Humour Needed
Perhaps it was just one of things and the cemetery gardening staff had not realized what they had done?
The grave of Franz Schubert came under fire.
Or were there hiding at a safe distance and enjoying the great sport of seeing some unsuspecting tourists cop jet water blasts from the mischievous and multiple mayhem they had created around this visitor hot spot?
The dead there also seemed to be having a go at creating some sense of humour.
Many monuments are what one could describe as being traditional and often very touching. However with the city being home to many artists and creative types it goes without saying that some of those want to leave a lasting statement even after they have passed over.
Franz West’s sense of humour with his grave left!
In one section very close to the middle of the cemetery and the church of Karl Borromäus” (St. Borromeo) artist Franz West, who died in 2012 certainly has left his unique and colourful mark for visitors to mostly admire with amusement I feel!
West’s works have over many years created laughter and loathing, with the former being the case as other visitors and I dodged the irregular irrigators and their incoming with hilarity.
Water music did come to mind!
However, Frederick Handel is buried in London not Vienna.
Just for fun other water inspired titles:
Chopin: The Raindrop
Dvorak: Watergoblin
Liszt: Walking on Water
Saint-Saëns: Aquarium
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Sea Symphony
Schubert: The Trout
Verdi:By the Waters of Babylon
