You only see what you know (Goethe)
This building generally known as Hoffmannsches Freihaus or Haus der Salome Alt was first mentioned in 1464. The name Freihaus (‘Free House’) refers to the fact that the residents of this building were outside the jurisdiction of the city court and were exempt from municipal taxes.
This is an interesting sign I saw at a restaurant in Wels, Austria. It says that the 10th glass of beer is paid by the mayor. Not sure if this a joke or a promise.
After leaving Wels Central Station, I came across this public art, created by Michael Kienzer and Jochen Traar. Fixed to flexible poles, the lights began to shake as soon as a breeze blew through the street. Solar panels provided the lamps with energy.
At a building in Wels I found this beautiful as well as huge coat of arms. It belongs to the noble family of Auersperg.
Austrian composer Joseph Haydn lived in this building from 1766 to 1778. Today, it houses a museum telling about his private life. For example, I learned more about his wife, Anna Aloysia. Another museum about Joseph Haydn is located in his former home in Vienna.
The Renaissance castle in the style of an Italian palazzi dates back to the 16th century. It houses a museum for local history and a female ghost. Porcia Castle (Schloss Porcia) is notorious for the White Lady Katharina of Salamanca, who is said to be cursed to haunt the rooms.
On my walk through Spittal an der Drau, I peeped into the courtyard of Porcia Castle (Schloss Porcia). Preparations for a theatre festival took place right at this moment. I guess such a Renaissance court is an excellent location for a classical stage play.
In front of Porcia Castle (Schloss Porcia) in the Carinthian city of Spittal an der Drau stands a historic pillory, a 16th-century stone column symbolising medieval justice. Once used for public punishment, it serves as a reminder of past legal practices and societal norms.
Interesting! If one finds anything (not that valuable) in the streets of Vienna one doesn’t have to go to the lost property office. One can drop it in one of these red boxes I came across here. Are there such boxes in your area too?
Classic bus Steyr 480A built in 1957 seen on the grounds of the railway station Payerbach-Reichenau in the Austrian state Lower Austria (Niederösterreich). This bus was operated by the Austrian mail service (Österreichische Post) which used to offer public transportation as well.
Inside this traditional bakery and café, one can order famous cakes like the “Linzer Torte”. The k.u.k. reminds us this shop was an appointed purveyor to the Chamber of His Majesty Archduke Peter Ferdinand of Habsburg-Toscana.
The Starcke Haus stands on a rock named Schloßberg in the middle of Graz. The German actor Gustav Starcke (1848-1921) lived here for many years and wrote some poems about the Schloßberg. Today, it houses a restaurant where one can have a fine meal with a view of Graz.