Inter-national influences

Some aspects of Austria reminded us of other countries, other holidays.

This struck us first in Vienna, when we saw Stephansdom, the cathedral. One of the wonders of the cathedral is its roof. This has glazed tiles. We were instantly taken back to our French holiday earlier this year, and the Hôtel Dieu at Beaune. There, too, were magnificent glazed tiles. I did a little reading & discovered Maximillian I, ruler of Austria & emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, married Mary of Burgundy in 1477, not long after the hospital was founded. I find myself wondering if she didn’t bring with her a taste for some things that reminded her of her childhood home, such as these beautifully glazed tile roofs.

Stephansdom, Vienna

Hotel Dieu, Beaune

The other aspect that reminded me of elsewhere is the fact that the Austrians seem to share the same reluctance to leave any bit of bare plaster undecorated.

St Gilgen, Austria

St Wolfgang, Austria

Molveno, Italy

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                
For that matter a plank of wood for them is an excuse to produce something more interesting. 

Hallstatt, Austria

Again there is maybe good reason why the one country should have influence the other. After all the Dolomites of Northern Italy were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for many years.

Whatever the reasons, one thing is for sure. These decorative features do make for a more visually exciting world.