Kloster Ruins, a most favorite place


Tucked away in the small village of Frauenalb, Germany, the klosterruine are a true treasure and gem worth exploring.

Listed as a historic site and part of the National Park system, the ruins are filled with beauty and enchanting nooks and crannies. I hope you enjoy the tour.

Continue reading “Kloster Ruins, a most favorite place”

Bühl and the Burg Windeck Ruins


And of course, we had to stop for a coffee break!!!

St. Barbara Capella Ruins, Langensteinbach, Badische History


The St. Barbara Capella (church) was built in the beginning of the 1300s in the town edge
of Langensteinbach here in the Alb Valley.
A little history (compliments of the a German information website) tells the story beautifully here:

“The first documentary mention of the Barbara Chapel as “capella sanctae Barbarae” dates from 1432. The building itself dates back to the 14th century. Before the annexation of the chapel and the associated source to the Holy Barbara, a Celtic sanctuary was found there. Surely the dedication of the chapel is connected with it. Next to the church there was a graveyard for some time – wall remains can be seen on the square and foundations under the ground. Various legends surround the chapel and spring. For almost one and a half centuries, the chapel was a popular place of pilgrimage and the square before it was used for markets. A change took place in the second half of the 16th century with the rejection of the pilgrimage through the now reformed Wuerttemberg Duke. However, it would still be many years before the pilgrimage of the pilgrimage took place. In 1590, the church was still described as “a magnificent temple consecrated with artistic paintings on the Barbaraberg, sacred Barbara”. Twice a year in the presence of a large national market held before this temple. In the Langensteinbach camp book of 1605, however, the first records of the death of the church are described. The subsequent times of the Thirty Years’ War also made travel on land too dangerous, so that the pilgrimage finally fell into oblivion. The assignment of the church to the restituted monastery of Herrenalb did not change, as this was now impoverished. Only the market was continued on the Barbaraberg. In 1818 St. Barbara had completely ruined itself and remained exposed to the decay and plundering of the entire 19th century. In 1902 one remembered the ruin and began a restoration. Above all, the tower was to be used again as a lookout tower. During a new renovation, a massive spiral staircase was installed in the tower in 1966. The tower is open daily as a view tower and is located in the Waldpark St. Barbara in Karlsbad-Langensteinbach.”

 

Hauptfriedhof


 

 

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

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Laufenburg and Leistal, Switzerland


What a wonderful adventure–driving through Freiburg, Germany (where we stopped for a Cappuccino), we continued on the #5 interstate, through border control/inspection, and into Switzerland!! We were able to change countries in a matter of about 2 1/2 hours, which to my American mind, is just outstanding and so surprising.

I, with passport in tow, felt giddy to be going to Switzerland and was anticipating a stamp in my passport. Alas, it would not be possible as the border control did not have a stamp and only did visual checks. Bummer, alas that is the rule. The inspector said that passport stamps are usually only available via the airport.

I gawked as we drove thru Basel, Switzerland, which is 2 kilometers from the border, inside Switzerland. Remembering, albeit too late, that Switzerland is neutral and not part of the European Union, I did not think to convert Euros to Swiss Francs but I was in luck.

Upon arriving in Laufenburg, already having crossed the Rhine (Rhein) River, we pulled off in the Aldstadt (historic) district, which in part borders the Rhine. Opening the car door, the scents of a Swiss Spring filled the air with beauty and grace and the air smelled of sweet things verses grilled sausages (which is often an occurrence in Germany.) The Videos tell the rest of the story and how I was in multiple places at once (and we went further into Switzerland and shopped in Leistal.)

I can attest, Swiss crafted cheese and chocolate are absolutely amazing!!!

Saturday Evening Folk Concert, Schloss Gartenhalle


While walking to the tram one day,a poster, advertisement caught my eye. To my delight, it was featuring, showcasing an upcoming concert, featuring Folk Music from across the ages and the globe, instantly causing giddiness for me, even more so when I found that the event offered free entrance!!!

Delightfully, Thomas and I dressed for the occasion and off we went for a beautiful evening of enchanting music, which included folk music:

John Phillip Souza

Williams (English Folk Song Suite, Seventeen Come Sunday, Intermezzo, Folk Songs from Somerset)

Galle (Bohmischer Traum)

Llan Alcazar

De Meij (Songs from the Castskills)

Manilow/De Meij (Copacaban)

Grainger (Irish Tune from County Derry)

R. Hariman/Bernaerts (Lord of the Dance)

Please, listen to the videos below. I hope you enjoy the music as much as we enjoyed it.

Director: Julian Reichard

#Ettlingen #Folkmusik #Musikverein

MV “Harmonie” Ruppur

Spring time, Baden Wurtemburg (Southwest Germany)


April marks the one year mark of my being here in Germany, wow, time sure does fly!!  The natural ways have thus also come full cycle since I have arrived with all of its beauty and splendor!!!

The Earth is awakening, bring scents and blossoms of new growth and splendor!!!

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Karlsruhe Zoologisch Garten


An exciting Saturday afternoon together at the Zoo together, where even the Hippotamus eat Germain cuisine of potatoes and cabbage.

The zoo is much larger than what first meets the eye and it is beautifully laid out, including animals and venues from all continents of the world.

The Seels (also know as Sea Dogs in German) and the Hippopotamus (Known as the
“River Horse” when translated from German) were very active while the Elephants trumpeted at dinner time. A splash of a good time as the seels breached and barked in the water.