Fodor's Expert Review House of the Black Eagle (Hotel Salva Guarda)

Now a hotel and restaurant called Salva Guarda, the site of this building was, in the early 15th century, a grand family home. In 1560, however, it was reconstructed in Renaissance style by Italian architect Ambrogio Balli. The building's black facade was decorated with white biblical motifs, like very early upscale graffiti. Emperor Ferdinand III stayed here in the mid-17th century and bestowed upon the building a protective mark called Salva Guarda, thus protecting it from looters and the military; look for this on a small stone plaque on the front of the building.