Incantato Concert Venue: Town Church of St. Peter and Paul (Herderkirche) in Weimar, Germany

Town Church of St Peter and Paul is popularly know as "Herderkirche" which gets this nickname from Johann Gottfried Herder. Between 1776-1803, Johann Gottfried Herder was the general superintendent and vicar at the Town Church and the people of Weimar also called the church the "Herder Church". The church is considered to be the most important church building in Weimar. The original church was built on the same spot from 1245 to 1249 and was then destroyed by fire in 1299 of which only the foundation remained. The foundations are among the oldest building sections in the town.  Then a second building was then destroyed by fire 1424.  The current church which is a three-aisled hall church in late Gothic style.  The church was built between 1498 and 1500.   Towards the end of the Second World War the damaged by bombs on February 9, 1945.  Restoration continued through 1977.  Since 1998, the church and the Herder House have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the "Classicist Weimar" ensemble of monuments.

Next stop Bratislava, Slovakia: Overnight the Mercure Hotel

Your next stop for the night of Tuesday, March 5 is the four star Mercure Centrum Hotel which is located in the center of the city of Bratislava (Slovakia) within a 10 minute walk from the Bratislava castle and the downtown pedestrian shopping area. A chill-out and bar area are available.

Each of the airconditioned 175 rooms is inspired by moments of pop-art. There is a dataport, safe deposit box, remote control tv and wifi access in each room.

Austria Trend Park Royal Hotel in Vienna

The Austria Trend Park Royal Hotel is where the Bellarmine group will stay for one night on Wednesday, March 6 as part of their Incantato Tour to Central Europe.

This recently opened four star very modern hotel (October 2011) offers 233 airconditioned guest rooms.  High speed Internet connections and flat screens are available in all bedrooms.
The hotel is walking distance of the Technical Museum of Vienna and opposite Schönbrunn Palace.

Two nights in Bavaria at the Ibb Passau Hotel

Once back in Bavaria, the travelers from Bellarmine University will be staying in the Ibb Passau Hotel for 2 nights Thursday, March 7 and Friday, March 8. http://ibbhotelpassau.de/index.php?page=ibb-passau-8
The 4 star city center hotel is situated directly at the river Danube and across the railway station.  The Danube bicycle path and the "Donausteig" pass by near the hotel.
Each of the airconditioned rooms have telephone, safe, radio clock.  The bathroom has bathtub/shower as well as hairdryers.

Home away from home in Prague: Jury's Inn

Welcome to Prague!
You will be staying two nights Sunday, March 3 and Monday, March 4 at the Jury's Inn Hotel .

This modern hotel is centrally located and near a metro stop. It offers 214 airconditioned bedrooms, each bedroom has a safe and mini-fridge. Bedrooms also have a flatscreen MultiChannel TV as well as complimentary toiletries.
A bar and restaurant are on the premises and for those caffeine addicts an all day coffee bar is available.  The hotel also has an onsite gym.

BU's final European Hotel: Maritim Munich

The Maritim Hotel  in Munich, Germany offers 347 rooms with a rooftop indoor swimming pool with view across the rooftops of Munich and the Frauenkirche. This will be the last night on your journey March 9th. Each room has airconditioning, satellite TV, wifi, room safe and minbar. Bathroom includes a hairdryer.

Confirmed Concert Venue: Thomaskirche, Leipzig

The St. Thomas Church, located near the center of the German city of Leipzig, has become famous because it is the final resting place of Johann Sebastian Bach. The German composer, organist, violist and violinist lived from 1685 to 1750, during the Baroque period.

While the foundations of the church date back to 1160, the altar sanctuary was rebuilt in 1355, changing it from a Romanesque to a Gothic style. The Romanesque nave was torn down in 1482 and replaced with a late-Gothic church hall, which still exists today. The steeple was completed much later, in 1702. With the exception of the steeple, the architectural style of the St. Thomas Church has not chaged since the end of the 15th Century. 
 
For the past 800 years, the Thomaskirche has also been the home of the St. Thomas Boys Choir. The most famous St. Thomas Cantor was Johann Sebastian Bach himself.

The year 2000 marked the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of Bach's death. It was at this time that the church received the new Bach Organ. 

Choirs visit the St. Thomas Church from around the world, because for many it is a special experience to sing in front of Bach's grave. On Sunday, March 3, 2013, the Bellarmine University Schola Cantorum has been granted permission to give a 20 Minute a capella recital from the steps of the altar room and in front of Bach's tomb.

 

The latest News from Vienna, brought to You by Incantato

 Continue reading to find out more of what is currently happening in Vienna:

2012
The 150the anniversary of the Austrian painter Gustav Klimt was a major success. Mullions of guests visited the various exhibitions of the founder of Vienna's Art Nouveaux and made it the most successful year it the history of the Viennese tourism board.

2013
2013 is the year of the art of enjoyment. 
Vienna is known around the world as a metropolis of art and culture. In light of this reputation, a total of three new cultural institutions will be contributing to the city's cultural attractions:
The Chamber of Art and Wonders in the Kunsthistorisches Museum is now shining with a new splendor.
The new concert hall of the Vienna Boys' Choir in the Augarten now invites visitors to regular performances.
The Stadtpalais Liechtenstein is now offering art of the Biedermeier and Classicism periods. 

A new and exclusive event series for visitors and Vienna residents are The Vienna Coffeehouse Conversations. They facilitate eventful trips to Vienna by connecting you with local residents one by one in English. They are reviving the history of Vienna coffeehouses and their particular culture, which is protected by UNESCO.

The Goldenes Quartier is located near the Old Town, in the heart of Vienna. It was names a UNESCO World Heritage site and is regarded as Vienna's top address in one of the oldest parts of the town. The famous streets Kohlmarkt Graben and Kaertner Strasse extend via the pedestrian zone to the Judenplatz and the Hof. It is here that you will find shops such as Louis Vitton and Prada, as well as Miu Miu, Armani and other brands opening stores in 2013.