18th-century palace reborn as museum

Vienna, Austria — An 18th-century palace in Vienna has been reborn as a world-class museum.

The Liechtenstein Museum, built as an urban garden palace for the Prince of Liechtenstein, today houses a collection of European art that includes masterpieces by Raphael, Rubens, Rembrandt, Pieter Breughel the Younger and Jan Breughel the Elder.

The interior of the museum is covered with finely crafted baroque stucco work. Visitors will also see frescoes, sculptures, tapestries, fine furniture, formal gardens and, a magnificent coach used to carry a royal bride in the 1700s. The original royal library has also been refurbished and is open to the public.

The paintings and palace have an unusual history. The Liechtenstein royal dynasty dates to the 13th century, the dawn of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When World War II broke out, the Liechtensteins took refuge in the tiny principality nestled between Austria and Switzerland that bears their name.

When they fled Vienna, the paintings accompanied them. Until the museum reopened last spring, with the art returned to their palace, the works had not been on public view in Vienna since the 1938 Nazi invasion.

The museum, located at Furstengasse 1 in Vienna (a mile and a half from the famed Vienna Opera House), is open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The museum has a shop and there are two restaurants on the grounds. The Liechtenstein Museum provides brochures, audio guides and guided tours in English.

CNN in New York opens studios to visitors

New York — In the 17 years since CNN opened its Atlanta studios for tours, more than 300,000 people a year have gone for a behind-the-scenes look at cable news production. Now CNN in New York is offering a similar tour of its studios in Manhattan’s new Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle.

The 45-minute guided walking tours began Sept. 1. Visitors will learn about journalism history and technology and get a look at a working newsroom.

Tickets are $15 for adults, children (ages 4 to 12) $11; children under 3 free; visitors over 65, $13.

The “Inside CNN” tour will take place Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last tour at 8 p.m.) and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last tour at 5 p.m.).

For reservations, (866) 4CN-NNYC or visit www.cnn.com/insidecnn.