Graz–Jul. 2, 2025

Leoben

I decided to take a quick day trip to Leoben, a town of about 25,000 people, located about 60 km. from Graz, and a 45 minute train ride away. So, a little bit fewer people than my home town of Pekin, Illinois, but with twice the area.

First, some pictures from the train station:

Then, on a walk to the downtown area:

Really? They have to explain who Martin Luther is?

One of the university buildings in Leoben.

The city flag

There’s a poster with “10 Smart Rules for surviving in style on two wheels”

1. Helmet on
   Your stylish head protection. You’re not a crash test dummy!
2. Traffic rules count
   Respect traffic lights unless you are an agent on a mission.
3. Street Champion
   Your arenas are the streets and bicycle paths, not the sidewalks!
4. Look out for pedestrians
   Be cool, let them pass you, let them admire you.
5. Ride sober
   The 100% rule: Don’t drink and drive!
6. Keep a safe distance
   It’s better be afraid of contact than have a total loss.
7. Hands on the steering column
   First one-handed, then no-handed, then emergency room!
8. Scooter pre-check
   Brakes, tires, steering; then you are safely under way!
9. Parking allowed
   You don’t want to be parked in a corner.
10. Show responsibility
    You have everything under control. You have EVERYTHING in sight!

Museum

I went to a museum with the history of Leoben. Not particularly wonderful, but nice.

Contribute to the Marshall Plan and your production - for an independennt Austria.

Miscellanea

Leoben is fairly picturesque.

Peter R.v. Tunner / To the great teacher and master 1840-1874 / From thankful students, colleagues, and admirers

Koloman Wallisch was an Austrian political figure.

They take their gardening seriously here.

Schwammelturm (Mushroom Tower)

As you see from the picture, that’s why it’s called the mushroom tower.

The inscription on the second picture says something to the effect of:

In 1280 I was constructed.
In 1794 I almost fell. I
am in any case very old
and older than all of you. I saw many
enemies go through me and remained,
however, standing upright. I saw
the Franks four times already.
But always firmly on the imperial throne.
I saw warriors recently from the East and
West. I remained firm in these storms.

Miscellanea

Geeks World

I like the use of the L and E as a design element.

A poster at the city theater. I seriously doubt that anyone under the age of 60 would recognize the black-and-white photo of Terry-Thomas and Red Skelton.

This pharmacy had a weather display of temperature, barometric pressure, and relative humidity. The caption says “In service to your health”

Römerquelle is a brand of mineral water. The tilde (~) is used instead of an umlaut, and represents an ocean wave, I guess.