These sculptures in Erfurt show two protagonists from the children’s show ‘Die Sendung mit der Maus‘ (The Show with the Mouse). Since 1971, this German TV series has been explaining complex facts in easy-to-understand terms. For entertaining the children, informative stories alternate with humourous clips. [German]
Eberhard I (1445-1496) is considered the first Duke of Württemberg. In numerous publications, he is also referred to as Eberhard im Bart (Eberhard the Bearded). This equestrian statue made of bronze stands in the courtyard of the Altes Schloss (Old Palace) in Stuttgart. Today, the castle serves as the location of the Landesmuseum Württemberg. [German]
This manhole cover on a platform of the main railway station in Prague (Praha hlavní nádraží) shows the historic station building. The structure was designed by Czech architect Josef Fanta in the years 1901/09. The entrance hall of the building is now off the beaten track and forms an oasis of Art Nouveau. [German]
The sundial is located in a courtyard of St. Peter’s Archabbey (Erzabtei St. Peter) in Salzburg. The two crossed keys under the picture represent the coat of arms of the abbey. The old man seems to be Saint Benedict, whose attributes rule book and raven are to be seen. I wonder what the raven is telling him? [German]
The Art Nouveau hall in Prague’s main train station (Praha hlavní nádraží) is a bit hidden. Once it represented the splendour and glory of the Habsburg Empire. Today it is located away from the streams of rail travellers and only fanciers make their way to the hall. The structure was built in 1902/12 according to the plans of Josef Fanta (1856-1954). [German]
On the way to the railway station Reichenau I cross the Schwarza on a pedestrian bridge with filigree iron construction. The view of the nearby mountains makes me want to go climbing. The lanterns on the bridge remind me, however, that I am still in a valley on the grounds of a famous spa town in the era of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. [German]
The monument to Alexander Girardi (1850-1918) lies on a small green space between the traffic streams on Girardiplatz in Vienna. So the actor and operetta singer does not have to complain about a small audience, even if the most car driver passes this park without taking a notice of the white statue. [German]
The excursion along the Ilm Valley Cycle Path (Ilmtal-Radweg) takes us to the garden of Kromsdorf Castle. At first, the Renaissance Castle looks like many others. But his park is special. 64 stone busts adorn the garden wall. The exact assignment of the busts is controversial, which even increases the appeal of a walk. [German]
Not far from the artificial ruins in Ilmpark stands a monument to the English writer William Shakespeare. The tribute of a British poet in Weimar surprises, but there are interesting links. Goethe is considered one of the main protagonists in the German Shakespeare reception in his time. [German]
On the way from the Duchess Anna Amalia Library to the market, I pass a Renaissance portal with a strikingly large number of coats of arms. The windows have colourful lines like fresh make-up. The gate belongs to the Red Castle (Rote Schloss), which was built in the years 1574/76 as a widow’s residence for Duchess Dorothea Susanne. [German]