In addition to the small canals, what caught my attention are the mosaics in the sidewalks that depict the medieval trade symbols.
Even the manhole covers are interesting. Click to enlarge.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Freiburg II
There is much inspiration in Freibug. The buildings in the historical center are beautiful, but one needs to remember to look down, as well as up.
In addition to the small canals, what caught my attention are the mosaics in the sidewalks that depict the medieval trade symbols.
Even the manhole covers are interesting. Click to enlarge.
In addition to the small canals, what caught my attention are the mosaics in the sidewalks that depict the medieval trade symbols.
Even the manhole covers are interesting. Click to enlarge.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Freiburg
Freiburg im Breisgau is a beautiful city.
Arguably one of the greenest cities in Germany.
Our B&B was located just 2 blocks from Freiburger Muenster.
New Town Hall.
Historisches Kaufhaus.
Scenes from various streets.
There are quite a few yarn shops in Freiburg. I found 2 just in the area near our B&B.
This shop is located on a little alley that leads to the Cathedral. It was closed when I first passed by, but I saw the window had sock yarn displayed in it. This shop is actually an undergarment shop...that sells yarn, especially sock yarn.
I found this one on a walk after dinner. Unfortunately it was closed.
Arguably one of the greenest cities in Germany.
Our B&B was located just 2 blocks from Freiburger Muenster.
New Town Hall.
Historisches Kaufhaus.
Scenes from various streets.
There are quite a few yarn shops in Freiburg. I found 2 just in the area near our B&B.
This shop is located on a little alley that leads to the Cathedral. It was closed when I first passed by, but I saw the window had sock yarn displayed in it. This shop is actually an undergarment shop...that sells yarn, especially sock yarn.
I found this one on a walk after dinner. Unfortunately it was closed.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Never Again
The most sobering day of our trip started behind this innocuous looking building.
Thousands of people filed through these gates, past this phrase.
Roughly translated - work makes you free.
Dachau was the first concentration camp, opened in 1933. It first housed "political" prisoners. It was the camp that clergy was sent to.
12 years.
206,206 prisoners.
31,951 deaths.
When liberated by the Allies, there were 63,000 prisoners and a typhus epidemic. The death rate was 200 people per day.
Unlike Auschwitz, there is no record of mass murder within the camp. Outside the camp at firing ranges, an estimated 4,000 Soviet prisoners of war were executed - some used for target practice.
The administration building.
Reconstructed barracks.
View from the barracks.
I had no idea how big this camp was. If you click on the photo, you can see that the concentration camp (outlined in red) - as large as it is - is just a small portion of what was an SS camp (outlined in green).
How can one fully comprehend man's inhumanity towards man? I would like to say something profound, but all I can do is try as best I can to explain my feelings about the visit.
When walking through the grounds, it felt as though one were at a funeral - people are quiet, speaking in hushed voices. Every now and then, though, one hears laughter or sees people lounging and chatting on the grass under trees. My first reaction was to wonder why these visitors don't have more respect for where they are. But then I realized these were actions which, during those 12 years, would have been punished.
I realized that rather than frowning at these visitors, a better tribute to those who were tortured, who died, who survived is for me to work for equality and justice. To do my part to make this a world in which hatred, oppression, torture, genocide, mass murder, and other ghastly terms are just words and not reality.
I recently saw a wonderful documentary about what happened to middle school students in Whitwell, TN when they began studying the Holocaust.
To watch it for free online, go here.
Thousands of people filed through these gates, past this phrase.
Roughly translated - work makes you free.
Dachau was the first concentration camp, opened in 1933. It first housed "political" prisoners. It was the camp that clergy was sent to.
12 years.
206,206 prisoners.
31,951 deaths.
When liberated by the Allies, there were 63,000 prisoners and a typhus epidemic. The death rate was 200 people per day.
Unlike Auschwitz, there is no record of mass murder within the camp. Outside the camp at firing ranges, an estimated 4,000 Soviet prisoners of war were executed - some used for target practice.
The administration building.
Reconstructed barracks.
View from the barracks.
I had no idea how big this camp was. If you click on the photo, you can see that the concentration camp (outlined in red) - as large as it is - is just a small portion of what was an SS camp (outlined in green).
How can one fully comprehend man's inhumanity towards man? I would like to say something profound, but all I can do is try as best I can to explain my feelings about the visit.
When walking through the grounds, it felt as though one were at a funeral - people are quiet, speaking in hushed voices. Every now and then, though, one hears laughter or sees people lounging and chatting on the grass under trees. My first reaction was to wonder why these visitors don't have more respect for where they are. But then I realized these were actions which, during those 12 years, would have been punished.
I realized that rather than frowning at these visitors, a better tribute to those who were tortured, who died, who survived is for me to work for equality and justice. To do my part to make this a world in which hatred, oppression, torture, genocide, mass murder, and other ghastly terms are just words and not reality.
I recently saw a wonderful documentary about what happened to middle school students in Whitwell, TN when they began studying the Holocaust.
To watch it for free online, go here.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Unser Kini*
Schloss Hohenschwangau
Neuschwanstein Castle
Pictures were not allowed in either castle. Hohenschwangau is very much more of a large home than a castle. Neuschwanstein Castle is completely over the top in all respects.
Mad King Ludwig was only 18 when he became King of Bavaria. He grew up in a spartan and sheltered environment with parents who didn't seem to enjoy each other's company and who didn't spend much time with their children. Composer Richard Wagner became very close friends with Ludwig, spending time at Hohenschwangau. Ludwig was engaged, kept postponing the wedding, and finally broke the engagement right before the wedding. While using his personal fortune to pay for his many building projects, he was deeply in debt to family members and ignored advice to stop spending so extravagantly. Although well loved by his people, a group of government ministers and his uncle (who would gain the throne if Ludwig was deposed) started a movement to have Ludwig declared insane. The day after he was arrested, he and his doctor were found drown in a lake after they went missing during a walk. The death was suspicious as Ludwig was accounted to be a strong swimmer and the lake was not deep. Some theorize that he and his doctor were killed while they attempted to escape and the manner of his death was covered up.
After touring both castles and learning the history of the family, DH and I are convinced that Ludwig was gay - and that the ministers and, especially his uncle, (who in all photos we saw was in hunting or other macho-for-the-time regalia) could not overlook Ludwig's sexual orientation. (I say overlook since acceptance - during the mid - late 1800s - would have been out of the question.)
*Translates as "our darling king."
Neuschwanstein Castle
Pictures were not allowed in either castle. Hohenschwangau is very much more of a large home than a castle. Neuschwanstein Castle is completely over the top in all respects.
Mad King Ludwig was only 18 when he became King of Bavaria. He grew up in a spartan and sheltered environment with parents who didn't seem to enjoy each other's company and who didn't spend much time with their children. Composer Richard Wagner became very close friends with Ludwig, spending time at Hohenschwangau. Ludwig was engaged, kept postponing the wedding, and finally broke the engagement right before the wedding. While using his personal fortune to pay for his many building projects, he was deeply in debt to family members and ignored advice to stop spending so extravagantly. Although well loved by his people, a group of government ministers and his uncle (who would gain the throne if Ludwig was deposed) started a movement to have Ludwig declared insane. The day after he was arrested, he and his doctor were found drown in a lake after they went missing during a walk. The death was suspicious as Ludwig was accounted to be a strong swimmer and the lake was not deep. Some theorize that he and his doctor were killed while they attempted to escape and the manner of his death was covered up.
After touring both castles and learning the history of the family, DH and I are convinced that Ludwig was gay - and that the ministers and, especially his uncle, (who in all photos we saw was in hunting or other macho-for-the-time regalia) could not overlook Ludwig's sexual orientation. (I say overlook since acceptance - during the mid - late 1800s - would have been out of the question.)
*Translates as "our darling king."
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Salzburg
In Salzburg we booked the Sound of Music tour - for the entertainment value for my nieces (luge ride halfway through the tour), but also for the amount of scenery for my parents.
Mirabell Garden
Schloss Leopoldskron used to film the back of the Von Trapp home.
View from the luge ride as I was being pulled up the hill.
The Stiftskirche Mondsee where the wedding was filmed. According to the tour guide, the filmmakers wanted a church with steps for "Maria" to climb to show off the magnificent train of her dress.
St. Joseph's Cemetery - inspiration for the graveyard in the Abbey.
Other sites around Salzburg
Two men challenging each other in mega chess.
Part of the trick water gardens at Hellbrunn Castle.
The Lake District.
St. Joseph's.
I had a bit of time on my own as I did our laundry while everyone else toured the castle in Salzburg. (I didn't mind as I had seen it 3 years ago.) To pass the time while waiting for the family, I explored the area near our B&B. While driving through a small village (it was either Glanegg or Grodig) I saw this sign.
While driving by.
Traveling 35 kph.
The Yarn Mojo can be quite strong.
This shop carried upholstrey, decorative fabrics, knick knacks, and yarn.
I bought 2 skeins of sock yarn.
Because you really should support your (temporarily) local yarn shop.
Mirabell Garden
Schloss Leopoldskron used to film the back of the Von Trapp home.
View from the luge ride as I was being pulled up the hill.
The Stiftskirche Mondsee where the wedding was filmed. According to the tour guide, the filmmakers wanted a church with steps for "Maria" to climb to show off the magnificent train of her dress.
St. Joseph's Cemetery - inspiration for the graveyard in the Abbey.
Other sites around Salzburg
Two men challenging each other in mega chess.
Part of the trick water gardens at Hellbrunn Castle.
The Lake District.
St. Joseph's.
I had a bit of time on my own as I did our laundry while everyone else toured the castle in Salzburg. (I didn't mind as I had seen it 3 years ago.) To pass the time while waiting for the family, I explored the area near our B&B. While driving through a small village (it was either Glanegg or Grodig) I saw this sign.
While driving by.
Traveling 35 kph.
The Yarn Mojo can be quite strong.
This shop carried upholstrey, decorative fabrics, knick knacks, and yarn.
I bought 2 skeins of sock yarn.
Because you really should support your (temporarily) local yarn shop.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
