Do cranes own personality? I asked myself this question while strolling around the city harbour of Rostock. There, I found two port cranes nicely coloured blue and yellow. They saw their completion in a GDR combine named TAKRAF in 1960.
Alter Brotladen in Melk
This romantic building with its dinky corner oriels is generally known as “Alter Brotladen” (Former Bread Shop). Three different bakers in Melk used it as a shared bread store. Some sources say it served as a Salzstadel (salt storehouse) before.
Slovenian Hayrack (Kozolec)
While travelling through Slovenia, I love to look for agricultural structures called Kozolec. These are traditional hayracks which are typical for this part of Europe. They are not only utilitarian but also known for artsy adornments.
Satzvey Castle in Mechernich
The former moated castle is considered one of the best-preserved castles in the Rhineland. Its origins date back to the 12th century. Today, the walls of Satzey Castle (Burg Satzvey) serve as a venue for knight games and medieval festivals. [German]
Roman Tombstone in Wels
During the Roman era, the city of Wels was known as Ovilava and served as the capital of the province Noricum Ripense. Ancient remains are still visible in the cityscape. For example, this tombstone is part of a building in the town centre.
City wall of Třeboň
The old town wall of Třeboň offers this romantic view. The walls saw their construction in the years 1525 – 1527. Another attraction of the city is its marketplace. The buildings lining the square date back to the 16th century as well. [German]
City Walls of Passau
River cruisers may know the mighty Veste Oberhaus high over the Danube River. But there is also a town wall in Passau. You’ll find the depicted towers in the Innstadt area. This city district lies between the Inn River and the Austrian border. [German]
Sator square in Golling/Salzach
You find this sator square on a facade in Golling an der Salzach. The sator square, aka rotas square, is a palindrome that one can read horizontally and vertically, forward and backwards. The oldest representation of a sator square was found in Pompeii. [German]
Clock Tower of Udine
After lunch at a peaceful inner yard near the Duomo, I visited the iconic clock tower (Torre dell’Orologio) in Udine. The tower is part of the Loggia di San Giovanni at the Piazza della Libertà.
Moyland Castle in Bedburg-Hau
Moyland Castle (Schloss Moyland) in the Lower Rhine region houses a museum for contemporary art and an archive with works by the German artist Joseph Beuys. A noted library of art literature completes the offer.
Black Elephant Inn in Scheibbs
Austria is not a natural home for elephants, leaving aside prehistoric ages. Nevertheless, you often find their depictions on old facades. For example, this inn in Scheibbs has been known as “Zum Schwarzen Elefanten” (Black Elephant Inn) since 1541.
“Die Reisende” (Robert Indermaur)
During a winter excursion on a UNESCO World Heritage route in Graubünden, my train stopped in Thusis. An elegant lady was sitting outside on the platform, waiting: “Die Reisende” (The Female Traveller), a work by the Swiss artist Robert Indermaur. [German]