Name/Title
StereographEntry/Object ID
2023.055.3.0274Description
A black and white stereograph. Image is of a church surrounded by many trees. Above the image "T379 (Star)" is printed, below the image "5323T Picturesque Church in the Mountains, near Semmering, Austria." is printed, to the left of the image "Keystone View Company COPYRIGHTED Manufacturers MADE IN U.S.A. Publishers" is printed, to the right of the image "Meadville, Pa., New York, N. Y., Chicago, Ill., London, England." is printed. On the reverse the following is printed:
5323
PICTURESQUE CHURCH IN THE MOUNTAINS, NEAR SEMMERING, AUSTRIA
The eastern limits of the Alps are marked in Austira by the Semmering railway which crosses at the lowest pass of the entire range at an altitude of 3,216 feet. The railway, the oldest of the great continental mountain raods, remarkable for its engineering, its many tunnels, viaducts and galleries, was constructed in 1848-54. The scenery is delightful and along the road's winding course and through its galleries o views the borad splendid scence of wooded hills and verdant valleys. Semmering, about 70 miles from Vienna, is a popular resort both in witner and summer. Of unusual interst are the many churches of the village and the shirnes which are encountered everywhere. These are popular expressions of the religious faith of the country where
"Every vineyard has its crucifix,
Each path its wayside shrine"
You cannot go far in any direction without finding on hill or in valley, - along road or winding path some small shrine. Many are works of art, others merely a crude pciture attached to the gable of a house or a gateway or a tree. Often an offering will lie before one of these, and here pauses the weary toiler to lay aside his burden and stand with folded hands and bowed head before a crucifix or other sacred emblem. It is regrettable that peasant art and dress are fast disappearing form many parts of Austria where only on fete days are to be seen the traditonal costumes which were once worn everywhere. The mountain peasants seem to cling more to both dress and old labor methods, their preservation being a matter of pride with them. But since so many thousands visist here, the simplicity, quaintness, and distinctive local charms are rapidly being lost.
Copyright by Keystone View CompanyCollection
Photograph Collection