Grüß Gott, my fellow explorers!

After a well-rested night in the charming town of Baden bei Wien, I hitched a ride on a friendly local’s bicycle basket and set off towards the historic city of Klosterneuburg. A journey of 34.9 kilometers that turned out to be quite the adventure!

Now, it’s no secret that us garden gnomes have a keen eye for detail, but the one thing that truly caught my attention during this journey was the breathtaking landscape of the Wienerwald (Vienna Woods). As we pedaled up and down the gentle hills, the sheer beauty of the verdant forests, vineyards, and the occasional glimpse of the majestic Danube River was a sight to behold.

And just when I thought I’ve seen it all, Klosterneuburg unveiled her crowning glory – the Klosterneuburg Monastery. A marvel of Romanesque and Gothic architecture that has stood the test of time. As the locals say: “Wer Wien ohne Klosterneuburg gesehen hat, der hat Wien nicht gesehen“. Which translates to “He who has seen Vienna without seeing Klosterneuburg, has not seen Vienna.”

After 154 days on the road, this gnome has clocked up an impressive 4705.2 kilometers! My little feet have carried me from Aspang-Markt to Wiener Neustadt, then on to Baden bei Wien, and now, Klosterneuburg.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, it’s time for a well-deserved rest. But before I go, here’s a little verse I picked up from a local bard:

“Durch die Wälder, durch die Auen,
Ziehen meine Gedanken hin und her.
Von den Hügeln, zu den Flüssen,
Ist kein Ort, den ich nicht gerne wär.”

Translation: “Through the forests, through the meadows, my thoughts wander back and forth. From the hills, to the rivers, there is no place I would not like to be.”

Auf Wiedersehen, my fellow wanderers. Until next time, may your journeys be filled with wonder and curiosity. Remember, as the Austrians say, “Die Welt ist ein Buch. Wer nie reist, sieht nur eine Seite davon” – “The world is a book. He who never travels only sees one page of it.”

Day 154: Greetings from Klosterneuburg! This Austrian city is a treasure trove of history and culture. First off, it’s home to the Klosterneuburg Monastery, a 12th-century Augustinian abbey that houses the verdant “Verduner Altar”, a masterpiece of medieval art. As the Austrians would say, “Es ist ein wahres Kunstwerk!” (It’s a true work of art!)

Secondly, this city is inseparably tied to the legend of Leopold III, the patron saint of Austria and the founder of the monastery. It’s said that when he lost his wife’s veil, a gust of wind miraculously returned it years later on the spot where he built the monastery. “Ein Wunder!” (A miracle!), as the locals would exclaim.

And let’s not forget the city’s contribution to the world of music – Klosterneuburg was a retreat for Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. His symphonies must have been inspired by the city’s serene beauty. So, here’s to Klosterneuburg, a city where history, legend, and art harmoniously coexist!