On a sunny spring day in 2012, I came across this sculpture in Ehrenhausen. At first view, it looked like public art portraying something fictitious. But this is wrong. It stands for a real sport with official championships: Finger pulling.
Colonia Iulia Iader (Zadar)
During the Roman period, Zadar’s name was Iader or Colonia Iulia Iader. Near the coast, you will find the remnants of the Roman Forum. Additionally, two museums provide you with remarkable ancient Roman stuff. [German]
Goliathhaus in Regensburg
The Goliath House (Goliathhaus) in Regensburg shows the legend of David and Goliath. The first depiction dates back to the 16th century. Several renewals followed. That one from 1900 produced an unusually relaxed Goliath. [German]
Vorarlberg Museum in Bregenz
The Vorarlberg Museum in Bregenz offers some fascinating architectural details. The play of colours in the stairwell results from stairs made of oak and a handrail made of brass. [German]
Anthony the Great in Olimje
The Baroque church of Olimje castle offers not only a fine altarpiece. In a side chapel of the church, I discovered a statue dedicated to Saint Anthony the Great. One attribute of this saint is a pig, which appears at the feet of the saint.
Saalburg in Bad Homburg
The Saalburg is a reconstructed Roman fort in Hesse. Inside its walls, a museum tells about the life of the soldiers along the border. The castellum was a part of the Upper Germanic-Rhaetian Limes. Today the remains of the Limes are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Site. [German]
Kronland (crown land) in Winkl
On my walk from the railway station of Traunkirchen to the town centre, I came across this vintage place-name sign. The Austrian State of Upper Austria (Oberösterreich) is still labelled as crown land (Kronland).
Bogenšperk Castle in Slovenia
Bogenšperk Castle (Grad Bogenšperk) was the home of the natural historian and polymath Johann Weichard Valvasor (1641-1693). He became famous for publishing several books about topics like the Karst or the history of Carniola. [German]
Procession of Princes
The Fürstenzug (Procession of Princes) is a 102-meter-long mural in Dresden. It is applied to 23,000 Meissen porcelain tiles and displays portraits of 35 members of the House of Wettin. These people formed the rulers of Saxony between 1127 and 1904. [German]
Majolikahaus in Vienna
The Majolikahaus saw its completion in 1898. The architect of the building was Otto Wagner. His student Alois Ludwig created the floral design on the façade. The decoration with Majolica ([ger.] = Majolika) elements leads to today’s house name.
Pharmacy in Uherské Hradiště
An old pharmacy, a burbling fountain, an empty market square. I experienced this quiet moment in front of a townhouse with a Renaissance façade in the Morovian city of Uherské Hradiště. The building’s diverse structure made me linger longer. [German]
OEG Salonwagen in Mannheim
Shortly after discovering a museum-related manhole cover, the next surprise overtook me. An OEG Salonwagen (saloon car) in the design of the 1920s rattled past me. Inside, passengers chilled and enjoyed the view. [German]