I am a sucker for wrought ironwork. On a walk through Graz, I discovered this image of a praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) as a decoration on a house entrance. What might have been the motivation for this work of art? [German]
Klopotec in Slovenia
An iconic rural element in Slovenia is the Klopotec. It is a sort of bird-scaring rattle. You find it in many traditional Slovenian wine-growing areas. They are also common in some parts of Austria (esp. Styria) and Croatia (esp. Zagorje).
TAKRAF cranes in Rostock
Do cranes own personality? I asked myself this question while strolling around the city harbour of Rostock. There, I found two port cranes nicely coloured blue and yellow. They saw their completion in a GDR combine named TAKRAF in 1960.
Saint John of Nepomuk
This statue of Saint John of Nepomuk stands at a building named Eheschmiedhaus. The building dates back to the 13th century. The sculpture saw its completion in the first half of the 18th century. I love the levitating angel above his head. [German]
Sundial in Merano
While I walked through Merano in Italy, I came across this sundial. I was impressed by how many elements and codes are compiled in this depiction. For example, you see the motto of Frederick III (A.E.I.O.U.) as well as a skull with an hourglass on top of it. [German]
Satzvey Castle in Mechernich
The former moated castle is considered one of the best-preserved castles in the Rhineland. Its origins date back to the 12th century. Today, the walls of Satzey Castle (Burg Satzvey) serve as a venue for knight games and medieval festivals. [German]
Niederfalkenstein Castle
Niederfalkenstein Castle (Burg Niederfalkenstein) stands high over the municipality Obervellach in the Austrian state of Carinthia. This photo was taken from a train while passing the railway bridge Falkensteinbrücke.
Trenčín Castle in Slovakia
Trenčín Castle (Trenčiansky hrad) is a castle high above Trenčín, a city in the west of Slovakia. For many years, it was the residence of Máté Csák of Trencsén. Today, a castle museum tells about the history of the building and the region.
Moyland Castle in Bedburg-Hau
Moyland Castle (Schloss Moyland) in the Lower Rhine region houses a museum for contemporary art and an archive with works by the German artist Joseph Beuys. A noted library of art literature completes the offer.
Fillgraderstiege in Vienna
Architect Max Hegele built the Fillgraderstiege in 1905 – 1907. The outdoor staircase connects the Fillgradergasse with the Theobaldgasse in Vienna’s 6th district of Mariahilf. Architecturally, it is considered Viennese Art Nouveau. [German]
Archaeological Park Gorsium (Tác)
The Gorsium Archaeological Park near Tác tells about life in this region during the ancient age. The Roman influence started here with a fort protecting a road junction and a ford of the Sarviz River in the middle of the 1st century. [German]
City Walls of Passau
River cruisers may know the mighty Veste Oberhaus high over the Danube River. But there is also a town wall in Passau. You’ll find the depicted towers in the Innstadt area. This city district lies between the Inn River and the Austrian border. [German]