Hanging over narrow cobblestone streets, guild signs or emblems (zunftzeichen) left over from medieval tradition are eye-catching rewards appreciated in many old walking streets of mostly German-speaking regions of Europe, including Germany itself as well as Austria and eastern Switzerland and even Tyrolean Italy. This is especially noted in conservation-minded alpine towns where historic preservation is proudly valued. These guild signs were often crafted by specialized blacksmiths (Grobschmiede), and worked well as advertisements for purveyors of goods. While time-venerated wrought iron images of trade guild merchants were once common, including signs of locksmiths (Schlosser), bakers (Bäcker), pharmacists (Apotheker), brewers (Brauer), wine merchants (Weinhändler), tailors (Schneider), the tradition now includes many a small hotel and inn (Gasthaus) and just about anything else imaginable.
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