Balkans
France
IDEAS AND CURIOSITIES
Frederick Hundertwasser and Landstrasse district:
Painter, sculptor and architect, his genius gave birth to some of the most eccentric and bizarre works of Europe. In order to embellish a degraded area as Landstrasse district, he conceived building asymmetrical, colourful houses, surrounded in vegetation. In this district, constructions aren’t following the usual firm rules, they are instead following the irregularity and sinuosity of nature.
SISSI MUSEUM:
Elisabeth of Hapsburg has always been a legendary character, the beautiful Empress full of followers. The Sissi Museum, located inside the Hofburg Imperial mansions, offers us a comparison between fantasy and reality. Between several interesting things in the inside, it is recommended to see the great amount of the Empress’ personal effects and some of her portraits. The museum shows the busy life of the Empress, starting from her cheerful childhood in Bavaria, until the unexpected engagement with the Austrian Emperor. A beautiful life ended with a suffered assassination in 1898, Geneve.
MOZARTKUGELN:
Mozart Balls (in the english translation), originally called Mozart-Bonbon, were created in Salzburg in 1890 by the pastry chef Paul Furst, in honor of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, the composer, quite hundred years after his death. The pastry is formed by marzipan-pistachio pralines covered in gianduia chocolate then dipped in dark chocolate. In Salzburg there are currently 3 pastry-shops making them the original way, by hand. The Konditorei Furst (in Getreidegasse), the original one, the Konditorei Shatz (between Universitatsplatz and Getreidegasse) and last but not least, the Confiserie Holzermayr (in the Altermarkt).
SALZBURG FESTIVAL:
The festival contributed giving Salzburg the notoriety now has, being one of the most prestigious classical and lyrical music festivals of the world. The event, taking place during summertime, has always distinguished for the high quality of its music, some international artists attendance, the successful intersection created between innovation and tradition.
