This country is full of surprises.
In Austria mainly speak German in this country — some of the most picturesque mountain villages and some fantastic ski resorts. But if you look a little deeper, you can discover some pretty strange and unusual places and sights.
With the most unusual of them we have today and will introduce you to:
10. The upside down house (Haus Steht Kopf), Terpens (Terfens)
Let’s start with the house, which looks as if it swept by a tornado and turned upside down. Not only can you go inside is also quite well-known “tourist trap”, and there is even a gift shop!
9. Beer pools, Starkenberger (Starkenberger Bier Pools), Tarrenz (Tarrenz)
You ever wondered how some people get such a beautiful Golden tan? I think in Austria it is still worth asking, because in this country, perhaps the answer is hidden in the fact that they bathe in beer!
For beer lovers this is one of the few places in the world where they can truly, that is, literally, to take in a beer. And the Austrian brewery “Starkenberger”s Castle” offers a full package of services, from sightseeing and exploring the history of beer and ending with a tasting of beer.
However, the most unique “attraction” of the castle are “the world’s only beer-swimming-pools” — seven 4-foot pools of warm beer (and some water), each of which is filled with 42000 Beers and where you can swim and relax fully immersed in beer. Except that beer is rich in vitamins and calcium, it is, say, a positive effect on the skin, helps to treat open wounds and psoriasis.
Beer pools appeared in 2005, when the old fermentation cellar for 700 years the castle fell into disrepair and was converted into a zone of “beer SPA”. The beer is maintained at a relatively high temperature, but on request you can enjoy pool and a cold beer. However, to drink from it would be very rash idea.
8. Green lake, or grüner see (Grüner See), Tragus (Tragöß)
Why is the water in this lake turns green? Because most of the year this lake is a Park with trees, shrubs and green grass, which once a year flooded by glacial water.
Green lake is called “the precious diamond” in the crown of Austria due to the natural phenomenon that occurs every spring, when the surrounding of the lake the mountains the snow melts, Park benches, flowers, bridges, trees and sidewalks disappear under water. Very cold, but crystal clear water attracts the attention of divers looking to enjoy the beautiful and absolutely stunning, if otherworldly, landscapes.
7. Eggenbergs crypt (Eggenburg Charnel), Eggenburg
Made of artfully stacked bones of 5,800 Austrians, this tomb is inside the Gothic parish Church.
Eggenbergs the crypt was created in the XIV century, and in fact, this place is awesomely beautiful. Intimidating because of the incredible amount of human remains, and beautiful in detail, as every bone, every skull is laid out in a symmetrical architectural splendor.
Twisting a wide, circular cylinder, Eggenbergs the crypt consists of the remains of more than 5,800 people. The first mention of this place date back to the year 1299, but most of the crypt was built in 1405. The Central focal point of the crypt is a small pile of skulls enclosed more long bones of arms and legs that formed a semicircle around them.
Currently, this place is surrounded with a protective glass, because the human remains are very fragile, so have a closer look at the bones and skulls impossible. Given that the crypt is at the bottom of the pit, the power of Eggenburg probably thought that few tourists will want to examine the bones at such a great depth.
6. Riegersburg Castle (Riegersburg Castle), Riegersburg
Not often you can see the castle located on top of a cliff. But this is not even on the top of the rock, and on an extinct volcano!
While most medieval castles have a long history, dominated by men, Austria’s Riegersburg castle is more famous, rich and powerful women, and the tragic fate of those who were under their influence.
The history of the castle began in 1122, when a knight built a small tower on top of an extinct volcano. This picturesque citadel for many centuries it was rebuilt several times, changing their owners, members of the Royal families and rich people, while in the XVII century the owner of the castle became the Baroness Katharina Elisabeth von Wechsler (Katharina Elisabeth von Wechsler), when it received its current appearance.
The Baroness was known in the whole of Styria as a strong-willed woman in a society of dominant men, able to do anything to protect his inheritance and the castle. When Katharina Elisabeth von Wechsler castle was on the rise by purchasing your current luxurious view with 108 rooms, five gates and thoughtfully designed.
Unfortunately, the lavish lifestyle, the background of Wexler’s sadly reflected in the fate of one of her maids. Baldauf Catherine (Katharina Paldauff) subsequently became known as the “flower witch”, unfortunately, became a victim of the Styrian witch hunt 1673-1675 years. Accused of “witchcraft bad weather”, she was brutally murdered that was a clear example of the then continuing persecution of women.
The castle remained in the possession of the Wexler family for centuries, and Katharina Elisabeth von Wechsler and her dead handmaiden Katarina, Baldauf was commemorated in two museums: one in honor of the famous women of Styria, and the other on the history of witchcraft and witch hunts in medieval times.
5. “Crystal worlds Swarovski (Swarovski Kristallwelten, Wattens (Wattens)
Not only that, it is one of the most strange and unusual falls beneath this grassy mound and set an extraordinary room of crystals!
Hiding in the green hills of Wattens, Austria is covered with foliage giant, spewing a waterfall from his mouth and guarding more than a dozen fantastic rooms, decorated with crystals. And it all belongs to Swarovski.
A surreal Museum and theme Park “Crystal worlds Swarovski” first opened in 1995 in honor of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the company. The exhibition itself consists of more than a dozen different rooms, decorated with Swarovski crystals, creating a theme, glittering space that could easily be the treasures of the king of the dwarves.
In addition, there are two “most-most” the crystal — the smallest and the largest, each of which entered the Guinness Book of records.
4. Of Werfen (Eisriesenwelt), Werfen
Even photos can’t show the real size and grandeur of the world’s largest ice caves! According to Austrian legend, this is the world’s largest ice cave is the entrance to hell.
Ice cave, called “the World of the ice giants”, is located in Styria, nearly 70 kilometers from Salzburg.
Eisriesenwelt — the largest ice cave, an unusual phenomenon that occurs when ice is formed under already-created lava or limestone caves under the earth. Often mistaken one for the other, glacier caves are formed within ice, while ice caves are formed inside the stone structures.
Despite the low temperature inside Eisriesenwelt believed the entrance to hell, according to the Austrian tradition. Because of its creepy reputation, the Austrians did not dare to explore the cave, while Anton Posselt (Anton Posselt) crossed its icy depths in 1879. The cave began to gain popularity among tourists in the 1920-ies, when it was built the first trails.
Today the Eisriesenwelt cave is relatively unknown throughout the world; it is visited by only about 200,000 tourists every year. Even those who are able to explore this huge cave, are only a small part of it — about one kilometer of the 42 kilometers of its length. To visit this cave, you can travel by cable car to the mountain refuge Oedl Haus, built in the 1920-ies for the first flow of tourists.
3. Observation tower, Vienna
Affording stunning views of the surrounding forest, this spiral staircase leading into the woods is clearly designed for people who are not suffering from a fear of heights.
Vista showed (translated as “jubilee tower”) — is a lookout tower, located on the outskirts of Vienna. Visitors can climb the spiral staircase around the tower to enjoy the view of the city and nearby forest.
The construction of the tower began in 1889 in honor of the 50th anniversary of the reign of Emperor Franz Joseph I, and to introduce commercial and industrial development of the region. Originally built of wood, later the tower was destroyed during the storm. A year later, held its second official opening of the tower, which this time has already built of steel.
During the Second world war it was partially damaged and completely destroyed in 1953. A few years later began another reconstruction of the tower, and in 1980-ies, when was the last large-scale reconstruction, it towers over Vienna in its present form, being a popular tourist attraction.
Near the lookout tower is a small Museum dedicated to the education and preservation of the local ecology of the region, often visited by school groups and tourists.
2. The Kunsthaus in Graz (Kunsthaus Graz, Graz
What could be better for the storage and exhibition of objects of art than a building that is itself a piece of art?! Although seriously speaking, it’s actually very strange. This ultra-modern art Museum looks like a giant alien heart Cthulhu!
Contrasting sharply with the more traditional and historic architecture of the city of Graz, the design of the Kunsthaus Graz art Museum was designed in a way to break out of the familiar architecture white box and all over the fact that he looks like a giant heart with unseen creatures from the future.
The modern Museum was built in 2003 in the framework of the program “Cultural capital of Europe”. Across the shiny surface of the Museum is built around 1000 fluorescent rings by which the building has become a media installation area of 900 m2. When in the dark they will glow, the Kunsthaus is a spectacular sight. Most of the energy of the structure is absorbed by the solar panels installed on the roof of the building, so the Museum is charged with energy, almost like a living thing.
The Museum definitely stands out from all the rest the usual historic buildings and is a favorite attraction of the city. The Kunsthaus is well worth a visit — whether you are a fan of art or just want to see how may look heart the unknown giant.
1. Wiener Riesenrad (Vienna Grand Ferris Wheel), Vienna
There is a very nice reason why this attraction is the first in this list. The giant Ferris wheel is the world’s oldest existing Ferris wheel! And before 1985 is a Ferris wheel located in the Prater (Prater Park), was considered the largest in the world!
