Vienna - Blutgasse District

The Blutgasse District, just behind St Stephen's Dom is one of the oldest and most interesting parts of the city. The medieval houses, forming a complex of seven old buildings (others include Fähnrichshof Nos. 3-9), were restored and improved in 1965 in exemplary historical fashion. Where lovers of Schubert used to meet in the cafe whose name was altered to "Zur lustigen Blunze", there are now dwellings and artists' studios. The name "Blutgasse" (Blood Lane) is without historical warrant. According to legend, however, when the French Chivalric Order of Knights Templar was dissolved here, so many templars were slain that the narrow lane ran with their blood.

The Blutgasse District also has one of Vienna's special architectural features: the "Durchhäuser" (passage houses). The passages lead through one or more courtyards to the next street, passing from Blutgasse through picturesque galleried courtyards (the Viennese "Pawlatsch") into Fährichshof and further into Singerstrasse.