Piber Castle (Schloss Piber) is a palace in the Austrian state of Styria. It stands next to the Federal Stud Piber. The stud breeds the famous Lipizzan stallions who are performing at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna.
Tag: Styria
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 Bruck an der Mur
This sundial on a residential building shows two depictions of the Styrian city of Bruck an der Mur. In the upper part, you can see Landskron Castle and parts of the former city walls. In the lower part, several residential buildings represent the modern Bruck an der Mur. At the bottom right, the city arms complete the presentation.
String A.E.I.O.U. 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.
Summer house of Eggenwald
In this summer house formerly owned by Josef von Eggenwald (Eggenwaldsches Gartenhaus), the Peace Treaty of Leoben was signed between the Holy Roman Empire and the First French Republic on April 18th, 1797. This was an important event at the end of the ‘War of the First Coalition’. Today it houses a branch of the museum for local history.
Schell Collection in Graz
At the Schell Collection, also known as 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.
Crescent with a face in Graz
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.
Manhole cover in Graz
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 Styrian Panther is horned and has only a flame from his mouth, since 1926.
Town pharmacy in Knittelfeld
This house sign is located at the former location of the town pharmacy in the building Hauptplatz No. 10. Since 1674, a gingerbread baker has been proved here. A pharmacy was run in this house since 1841. The house sign dates from the 19th century.
Mosaic created by Bresslern-Roth in Graz
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.
Coat of arms of Kindberg
On my walk to an industrial heritage site next to Kindberg, I came across the city arms of Kindberg depicted in a not official town sign at the city boundary. The pic displays the inverted side of the city arms. The meaning refers to a legend that after a flood a missed child was found on top of a hill playing with flowers.
Coat of arms of Roßdorf in Kindberg
On my urban walk through Kindberg, I came across the coat of arms of Roßdorf. This is a place near Darmstadt in Germany. I love the dreamy moon in these city arms. Why is this coat of arms displayed in Kindberg? The simple answer is: Kindberg and Roßdorf are twinned.