Eight!
Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg, May 2018
Apparently, pleasure palaces were all the rage in the early seventeenth century, and Archbishop Markus Sittikus helped set that trend. He became Prince-Archbishop of Salzburg in 1612 and didn’t take long to place his mark on the city. The foundation stone of the new cathedral was laid in 1614 and work on his palace seems to have started in 1613. Hellbrunn, named for the clear spring that provides water on site, was a palace designed for relaxing and entertaining; for day visits not for accommodation; for fun not serious. He ensured the place was adorned with quirky and amusing items to be enjoyed by the archbishop and his friends.
The place is now open to the public and its water fountains are a particular delight for summer visitors (you will get wet!) whilst, inside, there are stuffed unicorns and paintings of unusual animals. As for the eight-legged horse that came to Hellbrunn in 1673, according to its inscription, little is known, but it may well have take some inspiration from the Norse myth about Odin’s horse, Sleipnir. Whatever his heritage, he is a fine-looking steed.
Copyright Debbie Smyth, 2 March 2021
Posted as part of Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge
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Travel with Intent 
oh wow, great picture
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Wow, that is a great find, Debbie!
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And I’m so glad I had tagged it with “eight” in my archive or I would never have found it again.
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So hard to find stuff in archives… lucky you put it in the proper folder.
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I allocate keywords when I import them into Lightroom. Though I have been lazy about it recently and will regret it.
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Haha but it doesn’t seem like it. Your compilation of photos are amazing! Have a good day Debbie!
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Thanks Teresa
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WOW! To me, as a horse person, that looks pretty weird. I think it must be a myth . But thanks for sharing it and the history of the place where it is found.
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Yes that is quite unusual
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Definitely weird. But I think he has portrayed it quite realistically. And just think how many different gaits we could learn too ride
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I guess he can run twice as fast as an ordinary horse but the farrier bills would be a bit much!
janet
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And he looks like a very comfortable horse. I wonder if 8 legs make it smoother or more jarred.
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Great find Debbie 🙂 🙂
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Erm….lost me there!
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Must have cost a few bob in farrier fees that one!
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Ha ha! Hadn’t thought of that
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Boy, you really have to look at this photo to fully appreciate the eight hooves. 😀 Marvelous post. 😀
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Thanks Cee. It was an unusual find. So pleased you went for an eight theme!
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What a great find and how lucky we are to have you show this and give us the history. I didn’t visit the Palace when I was in Salzburg – my mistake as I see now.
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It’s out of the centre of town but worth the effort of you get back there.
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Oooh, I like your makeover very much Debbie. Very classy. And as ever, I love it when you share so much more than your (always stimulating and enjoyable) images, and give us a story.
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Thanks Margaret. I always enjoy reading up for the post. It’s what I term post-travel 🙂
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I love the word-play!
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