The story of Princess Sissi, her hiking and pretty towns- awesome travel ideas

25.06.2019.

Did you like watching films of historic thematic? In my childhood were very popular films dedicated to Sissi, very expressive and romantic. With Romy Schneider in the main role they followed a picturesque way of life of austrian empress. The traces of Sissi are following me everywhere I go or find myself surrounded by every chance. Let’s collect all those places.

Vienna

Let’s start with Vienna as her birthplace with the largest collection of memories here. In fact, Sissi was born in Bavaria, but marrying to Emperor and the king Franz Joseph she moved to Vienna. Later, she became the queen of Hungary following the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. At that time she was only 16-year-old and her nickname Sissi takes roots in her childhood. Her exquisite beauty was something to remember.

Palaces in Vienna dedicated to Sissi

Her name shines at two places in the charming Vienna: Schonbrun Palace and Imperial Palace. Imperial Palace in the centre of Vienna was once her residence, the place where she lived with her family. It’s now home to the Museum of Sissi, but also to other museums: Spanish Riding School (Horse Lipizzaners), Art History Museum, Albertina with its graphical art of worldly importance, Collection of Historic Musical Instruments and other valuable collections. The Imperial Palace is one of the world’s most significant palaces as well as the largest one.

Sissi Museum brings a fascinating collection together and Volksgarten amazes with more the 400 types of roses.

Schonbrun Palace as one of the remarks of Vienna delights with the permanent exhibition dedicated to Sissi.

Germany- Posenhofen at lake Starnberg

Sissi is born 1837. in Posenhofen at lake Starnberg but she grow up in Munchen. Possenhofen is the home of the Empress Elisabeth Museum at the train station.

Merano- the favourite retreat of Sissi

Merano is the place where Sissi spent the relaxing days at her residence at castle Trauttmansdorff surrounded by extraordinary gardens. One of many promenades of this sweet little town calls her name- Sissi Path, it’s exactly the one that follows from castle Trauttmansdorff to the center.

Sissi indeed chose the dreamy destination to spend any day off as Merano is filled with nature, castles and mountains. Even the flower sculptures.

Geneve

Geneve finds also the statue of Sissi at the promenade near the lake. The tragic event happened to her here as she was assasined by anarchists. Sissi is everywhere, it was very surprise to stumble upon her statue in this beautiful town.

Zell am See- hiking adventures of Sissi

At Zell am See, the famous austrian ski town, I also found the table dedicated to Sissi. But not only that, mountain Schmittenhöhe with the view to the lake holds a little path that takes her name as well as the little chapel. Her love for hiking and long walking trails finds her expression also here.

It’s a surprising fact that she crossed to the peak Schmittenhöhe in 2 hours which usually takes 3-4 hours. It all started with one visit 1885. in her private train. Cable cars didn’t exist, it was a night walk and sunrise that Sissi wanted to see. A boat on the Schmitten was named „Kaiserin Elisabeth“ in the memory of her. Sissi is remembered for her beauty that accompanies her through different trainings, diets and nature excercises.

Madeira- symbolizes Sissi’s love for travel

Sissi statue in Funchal at Madeira island captures her love for the island, for travellings. Her long walkings and love for the mountains and flowers took the right expression here. That’s why she was not just a tourist. Actually, Sissi came firstly to Madeira to recover her cough at the seaside place. In the park in front of the Casino Imperial Hotel stays her statue.

Kempten, Germany- the caffe of Sissi

Lovely town Kempten in south Germany has a the pink caffe that holds a name of Sissi. How delightful, isn’t it? I haven’t been to Kempten, but my friend tells me these stories from her visit. She even says her hot chocolate was pink, but all the offer of cakes and drinks has the pink colour. The caffe is beautifully ornated with pink. It’s actually pastry shop and caffe all in one.

Not only in Kempten we can find Sissi caffe but also in Merano, Berlin, in Munich exists restaurant Sissi and Franz at the airport, in Karlovy Vary in Chech and maybe somewhere else?

Corfu island, Greece

I haven’t visited much of Greece, only Olympus and Meteori but while talking about Sissi let’s not skip other places where she loved to travel and left her traces.

At Corfu island the whole palace was built for Kaiserin Elisabeth, the place Achilleion. After the loss of her son and to the suggestion of Austrian consul Alexander von Warsberg this palace was built. Today the palace serves as a museum colouring the richness of greek islands. Even some films have been shooted at the Palace like James Bond For Your Eyes Only and The Gaze of The Gorgon by Tony Harrison.

Ireland & England

Sissi used to visited Summerhill, the country residence in Meath due to the royal connections. She later rented a place here to enjoy the nature, horse riding and hunting. The similar story follows up with England.

Budapest

As Sissi was queen of Austro-Hungarian Empire, there are numerous places left in her memory. Some of them are:

Statue of Sissi at Dobrentei square, one of the most marvellous statues dedicated to her;

Royal Palace Godollo near Budapest, the largest castles in Hungary which can be a unique trip idea;

Erszebet bridge which divides Buda from Pest and holds her name in hungarian version;

Erszebet varos, the quarter of Budapest with which night life which holds her name;

Ersezebet tower at Janos Hill is the highest place in Budapest. Check it out for some enchanting hikes and views. Have you already heard of this place in Budapest?

Final thoughts

I didn’t find myself following Sissi, it’s just everywhere I’ve been Sissi is following me. Her kindness is remembered and her love for hiking, her ability to be melt in nature and to find her place in the travellings she adored. I hope Sissi will help you to find the inspiration for your next destination or to immerse yourself with hiking better, with excellence it brings surrounded by nature.

Pin it for later: