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.”

 

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!!!

RosenMontags, Deutschland


Woohoo!!! Attending Rosenmontags Festival today is beyond description, the hooping, hollering and joy was infectious, and everyone was in attendance, including this American ( I even dressed up as little red riding hood, sans wolf.)

Here is a bit of history (which I had to look up to get a better understanding.) Compliments of Wikepedia

In parts of East and South Germany, as well as in Austria, the carnival is called Fasching. In Franconia and Baden-Württemberg as well as some other parts of Germany, the carnival is called Fas(t)nacht, Fassenacht or Fasnet; in Switzerland, Fasnacht.

While Germany’s carnival traditions are mostly celebrated in the predominantly Roman Catholic southern and western parts of the country, the Protestant North traditionally knows a festival under the Low Saxon names Fastelavend [ˈfastl̩.ˌɒːvm̩t], Fastelabend [ˈfastl̩.ˌɒːbm̩t] and Fastlaam (also spelled Fastlom) [ˈfastl̩ɒːm]. This name has been imported to Denmark as Fastelavn and is related to Vastenoavond in the Low-Saxon-speaking parts of the Netherlands. It is traditionally connected with farm servants or generally young men going from house to house in the villages and collecting sausages, eggs and bacon, which was consumed in a festivity on the same evening. While going from house to house they wore masks and made noise. The old tradition vanished in many places, in other places under influence of German carnival traditions it came to resemble carnival with its parades.

Beginning and peak of the festival season

The carnival session, also known as the “Fifth Season”, begins each year on 11 November at 11:11 a.m. and finishes on Ash Wednesday of the following year with the main festivities happening around Rosenmontag (Rose Monday).

Although the festivities and parties start as early as the beginning of January, the actual carnival week starts on the Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) before Ash Wednesday (in Germany). The big German carnival parades are held on the weekend before and especially on Rosenmontag, the day before Shrove Tuesday, and sometimes also on Shrove Tuesday (Faschingsdienstag or Veilchendienstag) itself in the suburbs of larger carnival cities.

Innenstadt, Ettlingen


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On the Auction Block


Auction!!!!

Spring is just around the corner and there are so many wonderful treasures and gifts, bobbles and wonders on the auction block. I ship worldwide, Happy Bidding!!! Below are just a few samples of the treasures to be found on the Auction

No Bake Tuna Noodle Casserole


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An Evening of Chiming Bells


A long day of walking and siteseeing wound down with a lovely evening of church bells chiming to ring in the beauty of the day, which, of course, included a dark-strong coffee in a Italian cafe on the river’s edge. The river and the bells provided a lovely musical venue, with a menagerie of lyrical beauty.

There is a beautiful, old fashioned wooden bridge that crosses the river Murg, providing an exquisite view of the Murg Valley and Murg River, bubbling over stones and dancing its way through the village.  The cool, balmy air filled the senses with the delights of the earth, wood burning stoves and roasting sauages in the market square.

A delightful evening of pure enjoyment for all the senses–a quiet village well worth seeing–and a wonderful place to stay even longer.

 

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A small village Church, St. Ulrichs Mörsch


 

 

Mixing it up with Coffee


m3 m2

 

This evening Thomas and I drove to Karlsruhe to help reamp the battery as it had died (resulting in our car needing to be jumped) so we drove around, grabbed coffee at McDonalds (which tastes very different than the blend in the United States.)  A fun evening, taking a ‘Sunday Drive’ around the region, drinking coffee (which is always a good idea) and putting some charge back in the battery.

Check out the awesome treasures on my eBay

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Chriskinder Market, Baden Baden


What a fascinating event and a very unique experience. By taking two buses and two trains and taking a walking Adventure I came across the Baden Baden Christmas Market here and bad wartenberg Germany.

Upon entering the market the first thing I came across was a live nativity

scene complete with donkeys and goats the fresh scent of straw and wood shavings lining their bed in the manger. It was quite a sight to behold and the air smelled of all things Christmas and of all happiness. I spent over 6 hours just alone in the Christmas Market and I think I ate enough for 3 people for 2 days, sampling everything from specialty sausages to mustards 2 pastas to Crepes and vegetable,  fruit Delights in all kinds of sauces and creams. My waistline is surely expanding this Christmas but it is well worth it and I figure if I keep walking around maybe I’ll burn off a fraction of the calories I’ve consumed today.

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