Hidden treasure - the Türkenschanzpark

Up in Vienna's (relatively) leafy 18th district, right next to the university where I work, the Türkenschanzpark is a beautiful oasis of trees and grass, looped through by meandering paths. It is big enough to get lost in, and is landscaped in a more natural way than the geometric flowerbed approach seen in the more formal Viennese parks.

The "Turkish fort" of the park's name refers to a fortification located there during the second Turkish siege of Vienna in 1683. The park itself was opened in 1888. In 1991 a fountain dedicated to the Turkish poet and mystic Yunus Emre was added as a sign of Turkish-Austrian friendship.

A lake complete with ducks, overhanging trees...remind you of anywhere?

August.

Beginning of autumn.

Glorious colours.

My Paraguayan friend Susi...

...and her adorable son in one of my favourite trees.

Winter sunset. You can see the silhouette of the Turkish fountain.

By way of contrast - the Belvedere gardens, exemplifying the geometric flowerbed type.

As well as the park being a bit of a hidden gem itself, there is also treasure to be found - some friends and I found a geocache there.    https://www.geocaching.com/