Stallburg in Vienna

Lippizan horses in their boxes

A chance to see the famous Lipizzaner horses of the Spanish Riding School for free is at the Stallburg building. This former residence is placed next to the Winter Riding School. Between the training and the performances, the Stallburg is the home of the white stallions.

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Ottoneum in Kassel

Ottoneum in Kassel, Germany

The building was erected as a theatre by architect Wilhelm Vernukken in 1603/1606. The commissioner was Landgraf Moritz, who named the Ottoneum after his son Otto. Today, a natural history museum is housed here. [German]

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Knappenwelt in Angertal

Furnace at the pitmen's world in Angertal

The Knappenwelt (Pitmen’s World) in Angertal is an open-air museum about the late medieval gold and silver smelting in the Gasteinertal area. It is a station of the Via Aurea, which focuses on gold mining in the Austrian Tauern mountain ranges. [German]

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Klopotec in Slovenia

A traditional bird scarer named Klopotec, seen at a vineyard in Prekmurje, 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).

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Wiesberg Castle in Tobadill

Railview of Wiesberg Castle

The castle above the mouth of the Paznaun in the Stanzer Valley dates back to the 13th century. Several of today’s structures result from a renovation at the beginning of the 20th century. In May 1945, parts of the German Wehrmacht surrendered to American troops after negotiations in this castle. [German]

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Sundial in Merano

Sundial in Merano, Italy

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]

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Yenidze in Dresden

Former cigarette factory Yenidze in Dresden

The former cigarette factory building was designed by architect Martin Hammitzsch in 1907. The company name referred to the Ottoman place Yenidze (the Greek Genisea of today), where the tobacco was bought from. Today, the house serves as an office building. [German]

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