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.
Tag: Lower Austria
Cellar cat in Poysdorf
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.
Gloggnitz Castle in Gloggnitz
High over the Austrian city of Gloggnitz, a former Benedictine monastery forms a romantic place. The church in the middle of the court reduces the square to a small lane. Today, Schloss Gloggnitz (Gloggnitz Castle) serves as a venue for weddings.
Hundertwasser’s ship Regentag
Artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser redesigned this former freighter for many years. Finally, he used the Regentag for a cruise to New Zealand. Since 2004, the ship has been on display in the harbour of the Austrian city of Tulln. [German]
Altenburg Abbey in Waldviertel
The architecture of Altenburg Abbey in the Austrian region of Waldviertel reminds us of a Baroque abbey you see in Austria many times. But it hides an older monastery below its floors. Visitors walk through the ages by climbing the stairs up and down. [German]
Diesel railcar ÖBB 5144
Passengers of trains running along the Semmering Railway World Heritage Site may have seen this diesel railcar at Semmering station. It is a railcar of the ÖBB Class 5144, dating back to 1951. [German]
Sgraffito House in Wiener Neustadt
You find this building with lovely sgraffito at Neunkirchner Straße 19 in Wiener Neustadt. Around the gate, visitors see mythological creatures and the date 1584. The core of the house dates back to the 14th century.
Rothschild Castle in Waidhofen/Ybbs
After staying a night at the former Zell Manor, I came across this castle on my morning walk. It is generally known as Rothschild Castle (Rothschildschloss) since it was rebuilt in Neo-Gothic style by Albert Salomon Anselm von Rothschild.
Yellow brick road in Poysdorf
Once upon a time, some parts of Austrian roads were paved with clinker bricks produced in Schattau, the Czech Šatov today. In Poysdorf, you still find a mile with these typically yellow bricks (Schattauer Pflaster).
MAMUZ Archaeological Park
The archaeological open-air site next to Asparn Castle (Schloss Asparn) belongs to the MAMUZ Museum of Prehistory in the Austrian region of Weinviertel. Covering an area of 19,000 m², reconstructed buildings dating from the Palaeolithic Age up to the Iron Age are displayed. [German]
Hundefräulein at Schallaburg Castle
If you look at the sculptures decorating the courtyard of Schallaburg Castle (Schloss Schallaburg), you may discover the “Hundefräulein” (Dog Lady). This is the bust of a lady whose head looks like the head of a dog.
Prugg Castle in Bruck/Leitha
Whereas Prugg Castle (Schloss Prugg) is privately owned and can not be visited, the former castle garden is open for public. From there I took this photo of the castle’s garden side. In 18th century it was rebuilt by architect Johann Lucas von Hildebrandt. In 19th century British architect Edward Buckton Lamb added the Tudor style.