In the Austrian region of Weinviertel, you often see the model of a cat. This symbol is known as a cellar cat (Kellerkatze). Local people believe a cat living in a wine vault will always rest on the barrel with the best wine.
Tag: Austria
Kunsthaus Wien
There is a splash of colour in the grey streets of the 3rd district of Vienna: the Kunsthaus Wien. The former furniture factory for Thonet chairs now houses a museum for Friedensreich Hundertwasser and shows photo exhibitions that attract attention.
Templar museum
The Templar Museum at Lockenhaus Castle (Austria) presents the history of the Knights Templar. Besides that, it tells about Austrian places related to this military order.
Michaelertor in Vienna
On your walks through the historic district, you will almost inevitably pass through it: the Michaelertor in Vienna. The baroque portal frames the shortest path from the Heldenplatz to the expensive shopping streets near the Wiener Graben. [German]
Wels Castle in Upper Austria
The castle in Wels is generally known as the Castle (Die Burg) or the Wels Castle (Die Welser Burg). It was first mentioned in 776. At that time, the site was just a wooden building with palisades. The construction in stone took place in the 12th or 13th century. [German]
Diesel railcar ÖBB 5144
Passengers of trains running along the Semmering Railway World Heritage Site may have seen this diesel railcar at Semmering station. It is a railcar of the ÖBB Class 5144, dating back to 1951. [German]
Sundial in Prägraten
An intriguing version of a sundial seen at a chapel in Hinterbichl, a district in Prägraten am Großvenediger. The table provides info on how to calculate the exact time considering the different altitudes of the sun during the year.
Silent Night Museum in Hallein
In August 2006, I went to the Silent Night Museum (Stille-Nacht-Museum) in Hallein. It primarily deals with Franz Xaver Gruber who is considered the composer of the famous Christmas carol Silent Night (Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht).
Lower Belvedere Palace
Lower Belvedere Palace (Unteres Belvedere) and Upper Belvedere Palace (Oberes Belvedere) constitute an ensemble near Vienna Central Station (Hauptbahnhof). In the beginning, the Lower Belvedere Palace served as the home of Prince Eugene of Savoy.
Franciscan Church in Graz
Two beauties of Graz: The landmark of Graz named Uhrturm in the background and the Franciscan Church (Franziskanerkirche) in the foreground. The church is part of the oldest monastery in the city. Sometimes I walk through the hidden cloister for relaxing from the hurly-burly of the shopping streets in Graz.
Sundial in Tamsweg
This sundial on the parish church of Tamsweg was created in 1741. It shows James, son of Zebedee (Jakobus, Sohn des Zebedäus) The saint is also known as James the Great (Jakobus, der Ältere). The depiction of this structure refers to the fact that James is the patron of the church. [German]
Sundial in Maria Saal
Sundial fans find this piece on an outer wall of St Mary’s Church in Maria Saal. The church is also known as Propstei- und Wallfahrtskirche Mariae Himmelfahrt or Maria Saaler Dom. [German]