Last Friday, the WGA team enjoyed an inspirational autumn trip to Krems, a city that is not just known for its wine production but also for its impressive architecture. The day was filled with sightseeing, culinary delights and cultural highlights.
The excursion started in the historic centre of Krems, where the charming narrow streets and historic buildings welcomed us. There was a charming little market with regional specialities on Trinity Square, in the centre of which is the Trinity Column.Another highlight was Gozzo Castle, which is a fascinating example of how contemporary architecture can be combined with a historical building.
The oldest church in the city, the Piarist Church, made an impression on us with its Gothic style and the opulent decoration inside. Next we walked to the town hall, which is a magnificent building with a splendid façade and an impressive arched bay window from 1548. An additional architectural highlight was the Steiner Gate, one of the oldest town gates in Krems. The HTL-Krems is located in the former Herbert barracks, was next on the programm. After a leisurely walk, we arrived at the Krems campus, which has been recognised for its modern architecture. The contemporary buildings and the creative design of the grounds emphasise the high value placed on education and research in this region.
At lunchtime, we stopped at the Salzstadl, where we enjoyed a delicious lunch. After lunch, we visited the NÖ State Gallery, a museum whose modern architecture and changing exhibitions provided an exciting contrast to its historical surroundings. The current exhibitions in particular, such as Claire Morgan’s installation focusing on plastic pollution, were impressive and stimulated a great deal of discussion. The cartoon museum with the exhibition ‘The Simpsons’ was another of our highlights. The humorous examination of the popular series offered an entertaining perspective on the cartoon art and made the group laugh a lot.
The gateway to the Wachau, designed by the architects Najjar & Najjar which symbolises the connection to the renowned wine region, was also another stunning sight to behold. Before we got on the bus home, we made a quick stop at Krems City Park, where we enjoyed some fresh air.
All in all, the office trip to Krems was not only a welcome break from the day job, but also an inspirational journey through the architecture and history of one of the most beautiful cities in Lower Austria. We are already looking forward to the next shared experiences!