Snow globes: Souvenir from Vienna

If you're looking for an original and tradition souvenir from Vienna, then ask for the original Viennese snow globes made by Perzy. These glass globes, with their lovingly created winter landscapes, have enchanted people for over 100 years. Did you know that the snow globe is a Viennese invention? It was Sabine Perzy’s great-grandfather who stumbled upon this effect by accident while experimenting. And so, in 1900, the first Viennese snow globe was created.

The largest selection can be seen (and bought) in the manufacturer's snow globe museum, while selected pieces can be found in many souvenir shops and on Vienna's Christmas Market at City Hall during Advent.

Also available in the online shop

The Viennese snow globe factory resides in one of the old suburban houses in Hernals, one of the city's outer districts. Around 300,000 pieces are produced here every year and supplied to customers around the world. The recipe for the artificial snow is naturally a well-kept family secret. How do you make the snow inside the globe fall properly? Don’t shake it. Just turn the snow globe upside down and then right side up again. That guarantees a flurry of snow.

Pretty much any figure the customer wants can be built into the snow globe. Apart from special orders, there are numerous standard models: typically Viennese are the Giant Ferris Wheel, St. Stephen's Cathedral and City Hall. The assortment includes around 350 designs. New designs are added all the time, and slow sellers are phased out.