The Bummerlhaus is a late Gothic mansion in the city of Steyr. It is considered one of the finest medieval secular buildings in Austria. Its first mention dates back to 1450, but its oldest part may be from the 13th century.
Villa Manin in Codroipo
On 17 October 1797, France and Austria signed the Treaty of Campo Formio in this villa. This event ended the War of the First Coalition. Today, the estate houses a collection of antique carriages and an armoury. In addition, the villa is a popular venue. [German]
Manhole cover in Schwerin
Schwerin is the capital city (Landeshauptstadt) of the German state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The manhole covers in Schwerin show the city arms in the version of 1991. The depicted knight represents Henry the Lion. The flag in his hand is a gonfalon. [German]
Gerersdorf Open-Air Museum
The Austrian state of Burgenland is part of the Pannonian culture sphere. Compared to the Alpine regions of Austria, life is different in this plain area. The open-air museum of Gerersdorf tells you more about the Pannonian farm life of the last three centuries.
Painted Apiary in Olimje
In the areas of Slovenian Styria (Slovenska Štajerska), Carniola (Kranjska)and the Austrian state of Carinthia (Kärnten), hikers find these traditionally painted bee boards (Panjske končnice). With the help of these paintings, beekeepers identify a particular hive.
Hohenzollern Castle
What a Lego®-like castle! But Hohenzollern Castle in Heiligendamm is more a guest residence than a castle. Grand Duke Paul Friedrich commissioned the building to accommodate his noble guests. [German]
Ritzensee Lake in Saalfelden
On my way to Ritzen Castle (Schloss Ritzen) in Saalfelden, I came across this lovely lake named Ritzensee. It is an artificial lake built in a former moor landscape. At the castle, I visited the local history museum.
“Beware of the squirrel” in Bük
This sign stands near a wood with a high squirrel population in Bük. It happens to be that the depiction of a squirrel turns into the mascot for children at the nearby Bükfürdő spa. The name of this very special squirrel is Otto.
Trompe l’oeil in Füssen
The High Palace (Hohes Schloss) in the Bavarian city of Füssen is known for its Trompe l’oeil architectural paintings. For example, I was impressed by the illusionistic oriel windows. They give the building a surreal touch.
Station Sign ‘SÜDBAHNHOF’
The railway station Südbahnhof closed in 2009 forever. Later, I saw the letters placed above the entrance of the Wien Museum. I wonder how many visitors realised the museum was labelled like a railway station.
Monument to Nicholas Winton
While waiting for my connection train in Prague, my eye fell on a group of bronze statues at platform 1 of Prague Central Station. A man and two children stand next to me. What’s the story behind them? The answer is: Nicholas Winton.
Chapel of Querfurt Castle
The chapel of Querfurt Castle (Burg Querfurt) in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt dates back to the 12th century. It stands free in the court of the castle. The decoration inside is in Baroque style.