Coat of arms in Graz

Coat of arms of Graz, Austria

The coat of arms above the gate of the Styrian Armory raises questions. It looks like a Styrian Panther mixed with the detail of a Graz Panther. The red horns make it Styrian. The crown, on the other hand, makes it look like a Graz coat of arms.

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Memento mori in Haus

Sundial at the winter museum in Haus, Austria

A thoughtful adage seen at a sundial in Haus written in old German: ‘Eyne von diesen wird auch die deyne seyn’. It means: One of these hours will be yours. This writing is a kind of memento mori reminding us that everybody will die one day.

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Emblem of Bad Aussee

Emblem of Bad Aussee, Austria

The emblem of Bad Aussee is showing two vats for transporting salt (German: ‘Kufen’) and a char (German: ‘Saibling’). The vats refer to the salt production in Bad Aussee. The char is a tasty food fish which is featured by the Austrian ‘Genussregion Ausseerland Seesaibling’.

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Group Décor Sonore in Graz

Décor Sonore playing a traffic sign in Graz, Austria

At the beginning of the festival La Strada, I watched the French group Décor Sonore playing in the streets of the city using handrails, barriers, traffic signs and even balcony rails as instruments. By the way, the German word for beginning is ‘Anfang’.

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Dürnstein Castle in Styria

Burgruine Dürnstein in Styria, Austria

Dürnstein Castle (Burgruine Dürnstein) was first mentioned as castrum Dierenstein in 1144. The castle is placed right at the border between Styria and Carinthia. I took this photo while riding a train between Friesach and Unzmarkt. One can see the catenary of the railroad on the left side of the picture.

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Maßenburg in Leoben

Maßenburg in Leoben, Austria

The Maßenburg is a castle ruin on a hill high over Leoben. It was probably first built in the 13th century. Today hikers have there a great view of Leoben from a viewing tower built on the ruins of a former watch tower.

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