Today's blog is mostly photos. It is our last whole day in Germany. As our last tourist attraction, we went to Wartburg castle in Eisenach. This is the castle where Luther his away for 10 months and translated the New Testament. Being a castle and also such a significant place, many photos were taken.
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| nearly there, getting excited |
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| the castle in the distance |
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| Piggy is excited too |
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| castle on the hill |
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| the streets of Eisenach |
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| Eisenach church |
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| Piggy can see it in the distance |
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| there it is! |
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| map of the grounds |
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| lots of stairs |
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| view from the top |
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| overlooking the courtyard |
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| a sign |
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| more of that gorgeous view |
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| the tower |
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| entryway |
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| Piggy terrorizing the model |
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| the Knights bath chamber |
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| Piggy needs a bath |
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| artifacts inside the castle |
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| Capitals from the 12th century |
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| Memorial slab of Ludwig II, the Iron one |
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| Memorial slab of Ludwig the Leaper |
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| Model of the main castle building (phase 1 1156) |
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| Model of the main castle building (phase II 1160) |
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| Model of the main castle building (phase III - after 1162) |
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| Font 12th century sandstone |
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| Wall hanging featuring animals and mythical creatures 1440 |
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| Glass mural depicting the works and life of Saint Elizabeth |
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| These murals were added as a testament to her life |
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| They are found in the room called the ladies chamber |
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| The Knights had a hall for parties and so did the ladies |
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| Piggy enjoying the tour |
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| This one depicts her laying down the crown as a sign of Christian humility |
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| the fireplace |
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| even the light shades were pretty |
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| the doors were painted too |
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| curly staircase |
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| The chapel |
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| organ recitals and services are still held here |
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| a fragment of the original artworks of the chapel - the six apostles |
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| the baptismal font |
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| the pulpit and altar |
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| from the back |
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| the door |
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| in the Elizabeth gallery |
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| 7 acts of mercy |
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| Elizabeth arriving at the castle at 4 years old |
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| 7 acts of mercy |
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| The rose miracle |
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| 7 acts of mercy |
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| Ludwig IV's farewell before the crusades |
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| 7 acts of mercy |
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| the young widow leaving the castle |
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| 7 acts of mercy |
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| Elizabeth's deathbed in Marburg |
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| 7 acts of mercy |
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| Exhumation of her mortal remains before her canonization |
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| 7 acts of mercy |
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| another cool door |
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| The minstrels room |
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| Great Heidelberg song manuscript - written about the story of the 2 minstrels |
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| mural depicting the minstrel story |
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| Haidee being a minstrel |
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| Piggy found a bronze friend |
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| pretty columns |
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| wall murals in the glory room - a room simply for showing off |
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| these pictures tell the story of the castle being built |
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| he found the spot while hunting and wanted to build there but he didn't own the land |
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| so he sent his servants to collect some soil off his land and deposit it on the top of the hill. He then built on the hill with the claim that he was building on his own soil. |
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| chimney |
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| door |
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| an artwork |
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| in the great hall - an arm rest |
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| operas and concerts are often performed and even filmed here |
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| the roof depicts the story of Christianity vs pagans |
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| the great hall |
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| Luther and Melencthon |
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| Warthburg bible |
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| Luther's parents |
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| Wedding portraits of Martin and Katharina Luther |
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| cutlery from the castle |
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| the passageway to Luther's room |
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| the view from the corridor window |
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| the donkey worker's room |
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| a chest |
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| Luther's desk |
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| Luther's room |
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| Reading the Lutheran in Luther's study |
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| Luther's chair |
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| the stairs down from the room |
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| looking back up - the way Luther would have entered his room from the courtyard |
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| the castle tower |
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| Luther's room window |
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| the covered walkway to Luther's room |
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| crossing the drawbridge to the outside world |
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| view as we left |
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| going back down the hill |
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| "I don't want to go home!" |
After a walk back down the hill, we commenced our journey back to Rüdesheim. Along the way we made a stop for lunch at an old East Germany border patrol check station which is now a petrol station and restaurant. There's also a picture of a poker machine that all service stations have.
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| Having a coke with Philip |
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| Our group and trusty van |
On our way we saw a few huge man made mountains. They have mined salt and left this massive hills of tailings behind.
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| Salt Mine Tailings |
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| The old East-West border |
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| The skyline of Frankfurt |
Back in Rüdesheim we were in exactly the same room again with the terry toweling sheets. We had eisbein and beer for dinner.
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| Eisbein is made from ham hock - poor piggy - all 6 of us ordered it |
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| big German beers |
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| lovely outside cafe tables |
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| what a huge and delicious meal |
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| Piggy couldn't bear to watch |
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| Terry Towling Sheets |
Ooo. I bet that's the smallest pipe organ you've ever seen!
ReplyDeleteShame on me I had to look up the 7 acts of mercy. Pretty self evident when you think about them though I'm not sure I would have got visit the imprisoned.
That was a cool trick with the soil. I wonder if anyone else has ever thought of that!!!!
So. The second visit to Rudesheim completes chapter one. Hope the next episode is just as much fun. :)