You only see what you know (Goethe)
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.
An interesting detail of Graz: There are a lot of signs mentioning the string A.E.I.O.U. This was used by the Habsburg Emperor Frederick III who resided in Graz for many years. The meaning of this string is still unsolved. [German]
At the Schell Collection, also known as the Museum of Keys (Schlüsselmuseum), you can learn a lot about keys, locks, chests and jewellery boxes. Another focus is on decorative ironwork used for house signs, grave crosses, windows and doors. [German]
This house sign in Graz shows a bird standing on a combination of a star and a crescent. The combination star and crescent was already known in the Hellenistic period (4th–1st centuries BCE). The crescent represents the moon, the star represents the sun or the morning star.
The manhole covers in Graz show the city arms. It is a Panther with flames from all body openings. The depiction is similar to the Styrian coat of arms. However, the modern Styrian Panther has horns and only one flame from his mouth. [German]
This mosaic near the main railway station of Graz was created by Norbertine Bresslern-Roth (1891-1978). She is regarded as one of the most famous animal painters worldwide. Some of her works are displayed at the Neue Galerie in Graz.
At the inner courtyard of the priests’ seminary in Graz, Austria
Inside a shop people of Graz are very proud of. Lena Hoschek was born and grew up in Graz and opened her first studio in this city as well. In the meantime she have become an international recognized fashion designer.
Depiction of a praying mantis seen at a door of a Gründerzeit building in Graz.
At the beginning of the festival La Strada I watched the French group Décor Sonore playing in the streets of the city using hand rails, barriers, traffic signs and even balcony rails as instruments. By the way the German word for beginning is ‘Anfang’.
This sundial created by Wolfgang Buchner is situated at the Styrian state archive in Graz. The state archive is located at the Karmeliterplatz, a plaza in the centre of the city.
During summer 2013 the organization Steirisches Kürbiskernöl g.g.A. (Styrian Pumpkin Seed Oil P.D.O.) offers a tasting for pumpkin seed oil in a traditional restaurant of Graz. Opposite to other tastings of products, this event doesn’t present different types of pumpkin seed oil for selling but explain the difference between Styrian pumpkin seed oil and other oils from abroad.