Stock-im-Eisen, Vienna Travel Guide

The Stock-im-Eisen, meaning "staff in iron" in German, is a captivating piece of Vienna's history, found at Stock-im-Eisen-Platz, now part of Stephansplatz. This ancient tree trunk, embedded with hundreds of nails, is preserved behind glass on a corner of the Palais Equitable, located at the intersection of Kärntner Straße and Graben.The tradition of hammering nails into the Stock-im-Eisen dates back to the Middle Ages. It's believed that traveling smiths and apprentices drove nails into the tree for good luck, a custom that gained popularity from 1715 onwards, especially among journeyman locksmiths. The tree itself, a forked spruce, began growing around 1400 and was felled around 1440. Examination in 1975 revealed regrowth in the trunk, indicating blows from an axe.Legends surround the Stock-im-Eisen, with tales dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. One legend claims it's the last tree of an ancient forest, while another suggests the Devil himself guarded it. The earliest written record of the Stock-im-Eisen is from 1533. In 1891, the Palais Equitable was built incorporating the Stock-im-Eisen in a niche. Today, it remains a symbol of Vienna's rich cultural heritage, drawing visitors to admire its historical and artistic significance.