02/24/2007 | Hellbrunn - Trick Fountains

Schloss Hellbrunn is an old hunting palace on the outskirts of Salzburg. The schloss is also famous for its watergames in the grounds. These games were conceived by Markus Sittikus, a man with a keen sense of humour, as a series of practical jokes to be performed on guests. Notable features include stone seats around a stone dining table through which a water conduit sprays water into the seat of the guests when the mechanism is activated. However, one seat lacks the water: that of the Archbishop.

Other features are a mechanical, water-operated and music playing theatre built in 1750 showing various professions at work, a grotto and a crown being pushed up and down by a jet of water, symbolising the rise and fall of power. It should be noted that at all of these games there is always a spot which is never wet: that where the Archbishop stood or sat, which is today occupied by the tour guide. (Wikipedia - don't you love it)

It was a really fun outing and our favorite attraction in Salzburg.

11:14 Posted in Austria, April 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)