Former Civic Armoury

We are still on the Am Hof square. The central fire station is located on one side of this square. The fire equipment used to be stored in the adjoining Vienna Civic Armoury, built in 1530. Initially an unadorned, functional building, it was redesigned in 1731/32 into a splendid building with a Baroque façade which shows the Habsburg shield and allegorical figures created by the Italian sculptor Lorenzo Mattielli.

Am Hof #2

Here's another view of the square Am Hof. A grandaunt of mine is living here - not a bad address...

Am Hof #1

Am Hof is the name of the largest square in the city center. The history of the square goes back to the Roman era, when a garrison was built here. In the 12th century the Babenberg duke Henry II Jasomirgott built a castle on the Roman foundations. The castle was the residence of the dukes of Austria from 1156 until 1220. The square in front of the castle was first used for jousting tournaments and later became a market square.
This is the view of the square during my ride on the ladder of a fire truck 30m above the ground.

Easter Bunny #2

Here´s one last Easter bunny, I discovered it at the Arts and Crafts Market Am Hof.

By the way: I read in the newspapers that the Viennese Economic Chamber is very satisfied with this year´s total revenue of 46 million Euros of the Easter business  (9 million Euros more than last year). I´m not used to making big presents at Easter, my friends and family have to content themselves with sweets and self-coloured eggs... How about you?

Urbanihaus

The recently renovated Urbanihaus, originally erected between 1630 and 1639 with a facade from 1716/18 is one of the many Viennese buildings under historical preservation protection.