Vienna’s famous Christmas bow has been banned

Now you can buy it on a T-shirt

Every year in the run-up to Christmas, Vienna’s city centre transforms into a true winter wonderland. One of its most recognisable festive decorations is the giant red bow adorning the façade of the Popp & Kretschmer fashion house, at the corner of Kärntner Straße and Weihburggasse.

It has long been more than just a seasonal decoration — it has become a true symbol of Christmas in Vienna. Tourists would regularly stop to take pictures in front of it, while for many locals, its appearance was a sure sign that the festive season was just around the corner.

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However, the familiar sight will be missing this year. The famous bow will no longer adorn the shop’s façade due to new, stricter safety requirements introduced by Vienna’s city authorities, according to «Heute».

The decision was prompted by the crowds of people gathering to take pictures with the decoration. Following last year’s overwhelming popularity, the city administration imposed additional requirements on the store. Among other things, Popp & Kretschmer would have been required to arrange for a dedicated security team to manage the crowds, which would have involved considerable expense. The company ultimately decided that the additional costs were not economically viable.

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There were further restrictions, too: if crowds became too large, the bow’s lighting would have had to be dimmed or even switched off completely. As a result, the decision was made not to reinstall the famous decoration on the building’s exterior this festive season.

Vienna’s famous Christmas bow has been banned

Still, Vienna will not have to say goodbye to its beloved Christmas symbol altogether. The red bow has been moved inside the store, and it is now getting a new incarnation — as a fashion item.

Popp & Kretschmer has unveiled five different T-shirt designs featuring the iconic Christmas decoration. They are already available in the brand’s online store. This way, the photo backdrop beloved by tourists has been transformed into an original souvenir — a little piece of Vienna’s festive atmosphere that people can take home and wear.

The T-shirts are priced at €79.