Between Paradeplatz and Enge and right next to the tram station ‘Tunnelstrasse’, that’s where my balcony can be found. It is placed at the corner of the crossroad, across from the Credit Suisse Bank, on the third floor of the private ‘Bank von Roll’.
One thing is definitely clear; this balcony was not built to spend time outside, eat or hang out with friends. There is no such thing as cosiness or privacy. More precisely the only function of this balcony is a clear demonstration of importance, power and wealth. Proudly it decorates the facade of the building, underlines how important it is for the city and that there are serious things happening inside. However, if you really want to use the balcony, it would only be for the sake of looking down on the people crossing the road.
Apart from the balcony there are other details that underline the importance of this place; for example, the entrance of the building with its golden plate on top of the door, which you can only attend by the stairs in front of it. The small but nevertheless remarkable statue of a well-educated man in front of the building can also be read as a sign of particular importance of this place. Not to forget of course all the figures, decorations and even some small columns which are worked into the façade of the building around the balcony.
