There aren’t any signs for this umbrella making shop in the heart of old Salzburg and we wouldn’t have known about it had it not been for our private guide, which is the only way you can visit the family behind old fashioned, traditional umbrella making – a lost art if you will…
In a small alleyway in Salzburg’s main shopping area, the shop of Andreas Kirchtag, a Schirmerzeuger, or umbrella maker is located in a space above another shop. It’s not easy to find, so if you’re interested, inquire with a guide to make sure it’s on the agenda you sign up for when planning your agenda. Their shop is located upstairs on the second floor which you access via a small elevator down a small alleyway.
We learn that Kirchtag’s family has been hand-making umbrellas for 100 years and after we explore the process and the high quality materials they use, I realize that I never want to own a cheap umbrella bought from some known or unknown market again. Take a look at the myriad of wood choices you have to choose from, and that’s just the beginning….
The handles and selection process is more complex than you might imagine….
SO many choices, so much to discover……the newer ones even fold, so you can put them in a backpack or briefcase. OKAY mobile warriors, how cool is that?
You can choose your own material too which makes the process that much more fun.
All the tools were there too so you could see what it took to produce a handmade umbrella with the finest of materials.
I loved the energy of this place — had I stayed for longer and had time to think about what and how I wanted to commission a personalized umbrella, I likely would have taken the plunge.
Below is a video I shot on-site so you can get a more textured idea of my experience in Salzburg. Two thumbs up — authentic and beautiful at its core!
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
