You only see what you know (Goethe)
This pic portrays a sundial in Kufstein, a city in the Austrian state of Tyrol. It saw its completion in 1733, followed by renovations in 1881 and 1990. I am surprised that this sundial in the Austrian mountains depicts a big sailing ship in the background. [German]
Althofen is considered one of the oldest still inhabited mountain settlements in Austria. Besides that, there are still remains from the former town fortification. For example, the Annenturm. This tower saw its completion in 1307.
You find this sundial in a courtyard of St. Peter’s Archabbey (Erzabtei St. Peter) in Salzburg. The two crossed keys represent the abbey’s coat of arms. The aged man is Saint Benedict. With the rule book and a raven, you see two attributes of him. [German]
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.
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.
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]
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.
Though I don’t believe in fabulous creatures, I always love to see depictions of them. I found this pair of griffins guarding a bollard in front of a building on the historicizing Wiener Ringstraße (Vienna Ring Road).
The Mozartsteg in Salzburg is a footbridge named after Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The Art Nouveau-style bridge saw its completion in 1903. At that time, pedestrians had to pay a toll for using this privately owned construction.
The Goose Girl Fountain (Gänsemädchenbrunnen) displays a girl with three geese. Its creator was the Czech sculptor Antonín Pavel Wagner. The fowls refer to the first site of the fountain, which was the former poultry market of the city.
In the Austrian region of Weinviertel, you often see the model of a cat. This symbol is known as a cellar cat (Kellerkatze). Local people believe a cat living in a wine vault will always rest on the barrel with the best wine.
Mirabell Palace (Schloss Mirabell) is known for its marble hall as a wedding location. Besides that, its garden offers a magnificent view of the Hohensalzburg Fortress and surprises with several magical sculptures.