Hello everyone. Last month I went on a trip to Klagenfurt. It was my first time here and city did not disappoint. Klagenfurt is capital city of Austrian state/province Carinthia and sixth largest city in Austria. Klagenfurt am Wörthersee is full name of the city. I think the visit can be divided in three parts. First we started with exploring the city center and visit to Neuer platz. It is historical walk with all these old buildings guarding the streets. Then we went to the Lake Wörthersee. Beautiful lake with nice scenery. And third part was a hike to Kreuzbergl and visit to Klagenfurt Botanical Garden. Super place for a hike and relaxation. Lovely green part of the city.
This is the model of the city. I think this is model from past since there are stone walls surrounding city. Seeing the model of the city you are about to explore is very interesting. Having couple of these models around city and navigate through that would be nice challenge.
Along the streets there you can see older buildings. They are restaurated and in very good condition. You can see similar buildings in Sarajevo. Higher first floor for shops and mostly two upper floors used as residential space.
When you walk down the streets buildings are reminder of past. I think older buildings are more pleasing to an eye and more relaxing to pass by. They do not impose themselves by size but their presence fills up the space. This building is built in 1909/1910.
This building is Landhouse Klagenfurt or Klagenfurt Country House. It was built between 1574 and 1594. Today it servers as seat of the Carinthian state parliament.
Here is photo from the courtyard of the Landhouse. There is a passage between two towers so you can enter into the courtyard from that side.
After Landhouse we continued toward Alter platz. Alter Platz or Old square was cities center in past. You can see Baroque and Renaissance details on the buildings along the Square.
Now this is pedestrian are with many shops and coffees along the way.
On this mosaic you can see coats of arms of cities that are Klagenfurts twin cities. Mosaic is located in Kramergasse or pedestrian zone and this is first pedestrian zone in Austria established in 1961. Also this is one of three oldest street in Klagenfurt.
And at the end of the street we come to the Neuer Platz.
Neuer Platz is central square in Klagenfurt. In the middle of the Neuer Platz there is a Lindwurm Fountain or Dragon Fountain. It is one of the landmarks of city Klagenfurt. Beautiful square with trees and lot of space.
Lindwurm Fountain is connected to local legend. Legend says that dragon was living in these parts and it was attacking people. Local duke hired some knights and they managed to kill the dragon. Later after some bones and skull were found and taking that as a proof of dragon living there they decided to build fountain using similarity with found bones as memorial. It was built in 1583. Sculpture was built according to skeleton they found. However after some time it was discovered that it was rhino skeleton that was found.
On the table on the fountain says that death of the dragon (Lindswurm) who lived in swamp in Klagenfurt is connected with founding of the city. Interseting legend which Lindwurm Fountain captures nicely with all details on the scultptures.
After some time in Neuer Platz we continued our walk around the city.
And all of a sudden set of hands from a building are another fountain with drinkable water.
Next stop was Wörthersee. It is huge beautiful lake with 16.5 kilometers in length and 1.5 kilometers in width.
Along the lake are pedestrian areas.
There is a park that connects with lake. At the time some type of race took place near the lake.
This is the dock from where tour boats take off. It was Sunday and the dock was closed.
Walking path goes along the lake. We did not have much time and we cut our visit a bit short. Beautiful scenery and relaxing atmosphere. Place to visit again and spend more time fro sure.
In nearby park I found sundial. It was cloudy so you could not tell the time at the moment.
And there was a bit time for a chess as well. Unfortunately rain cut our game short.
After all sightseeing next day we went for a hike in Kreuzbergl. In the upper part of the map with blue is our hiking route. This hike was surprise since we did not know where will we go.
Kreuzbergl is local hill with forest where you can come and do lot of things. There are small lake or ponds, walking and playing areas and place where you can do a picnic.
You can choose your route and start hike.
There is small water pond with restaurant near by.
Pathways are nice and clean. There are signs everywhere and it is friendly to all age groups and animals.
Wooden banks on the pathways to sit, enjoy and relax.
Trees are very tall.
From distance we saw some kind of a shelter. Of course we will get closer. Maybe it is animal shelter. Lets see.
Looks like someone made themselves quick wooden house.
So many roads to choose. Heading to the top.
We reached the observatory in Klagenfurt or Sternwarte Klagenfurt. Excellent place to watch night sky and stars.
I think this is a super place for a Observatory. Here we took short brake and continued our hike.
You could sit on every wooden bank and relax for some time
I liked this wall very much. Stone covered with moss is such lovely sight.
And when you combine it with trees, path, wooden bank and more moss and stone you got very enjoying space.
It was time for a coffee and tea. There is restaurant with lovely view on the city.
This is a sneak peak on our next destination. You can see city in the back and Klagenfurt botanical garden.
Another open area with playground. There is one more water pond on this level.
After hike finished we visited Bodanical Garden Klagenfurt or Botanischer Garten Klagenfurt. It is founded in 1862 and contains local plants as well as many plants from all over the world.
Many pathways, small bridges and passages to go around and explore.
There are tunnels built to protect civil population in 1942. Part of the tunnels are used by Botanical Garden and other part is used as Bat tunnels since 2009. Here bats stay winter.
You can see how Bat tunnels look.
In the middle of Botanical garden there is water pond with plants that live in that areas.
Botanical garden is divided into areas of different plan types.
There are many interesting plants. For me cacti are one of those.
You can explore the botanical garden and enjoy surrounding.
This is waterfall that ends up in water pond in the middle.
(https://images.ecency.com/DQmT7NhG5cUXowxzyTkt9PwCxhkVUtrWFbPzBbu4m74prka/35.jpg)
Many variety of plants. There is area with common farmer plants. You can see different types of tomatoes, peppers and other plants.
(https://images.ecency.com/DQmd57NuKRewuQaP3vYVuNxvNXe6fKEhZ8PRju2sT2w8sDM/40.jpg)
If you want to read more about visit to Botanical Garden Klagenfurt you can check it here.
https://ecency.com/hive-140635/@sammy00/visit-to-botanical-garden-in
This was may first visit to Klagenfurt. I enjoyed the journey. There are more places to visit around the city. Since it is quite close to Bosnia this trip may be repeated. I had lovely time.
(https://images.ecency.com/DQmWhPi6yBn9Ep8TrocfixhDu89UcYgpqC9DEMjLCYqhDUv/57.jpg)
Photos by @sammy00.