31 Jul 2008
Places of Interest around Quedlinburg
My journey to the Harz and Quedlinburg was fun, but also very hot with about 32°C during the day and lots of sunshine. Fortunately, the nights were a bit cooler since the temperature in the Harz drops somewhat more than in Göttingen (which can be a steaming soup bowl in summer) and the hotel was situated at a little river that brought a cool breeze in the evenings.
Regenstein Castle
There were several beers with my name on them every evening, and they just evaporated somehow. I don't even want to begin and try to figure out how many litres of water I drank; it must have been a small lake. Ice cream is a good thing on hot days, too, especially iced coffee with vanilla ice cream and dab of whipped cream on top.
One of the caves in the Regenstein
But it was definitely fun, including the climbing of some rocks in sandals. I'm the proverbial German when it comes to wearing shoes unsuitable for mountains. Maybe I should volunteer as test person for sandals - if they survive the ways I walk, they will survive about anything.
Falkenstein Castle
The Harz was always a politically important area throughout history, not at least because it's rich in ore, and so Mediaeval times saw a lot of castles on the tops of those hills and mountains. Many of the about 500 Harz castles have left nothing more behind than some tumbled stones and traces in the ground that point to an ancient trench or earthen wall, but some are still formidable ruins or even reconstructed to mirror their former beauty.
Arnstein Castle, remains of the keep and great hall
They are less grand than the Norman castles because space on summits is more limited, but their owners and the architects sometimes got very inventive when it came to making the land - or rather, the bedrock - part of the castle construction. The Regenstein with its part natural, part artificial caves surrounding the keep is a fine example.
Arnstein, great hall
Not all castles were in the focus of the great history the way the Harzburg (which I hope to see in August) was, but they all have their stories. And legends. The Harz is rich in legends, and you'll learn some in the time to come.
I've got some Romanesque churches for you as well. There is a road - or rather, a number of connected roads all over Germany - leading to the most interesting Romanesque buildings. You can visit churches and a few castles and other buildings all the way from the Alpes to the Baltic Sea coast, following the Strasse der Romanik.
Quedlinburg Cathedral, main nave
I got only inside views of this one because the towers were wrapped in scaffolding, and since the catherdral sits on a hill, surrounded by other buildings, the towers are pretty much the only thing you can see. The inside has been renovated already and looks a lot better than last time I was there, but unfortunately, the crypt is still closed.
Chapter Church Gernrode, south side
This one is really beautiful and in good condition. Nice and cool inside as well. *grin* Churches are a good place to visit on a hot day.
Both Quedlingburg and Gernrode were Canoness Chapters for noble ladies who would live more or less like nuns only without taking permanent vows. That way they could leave and marry if family politics changed. But some stayed all their life and the Abbesses, esp. the ones of Quedlinburg, held a lot of power.
Konradsburg Monastery, crypt
Not much remains of the Konradsburg Monastery, only the choir of the church and the crypt which is undergoing restoration (almost finished, so I got some good photos). But the history behind it is interesting; Konradsburg is the only monastery that started off as castle (Burg = castle, you've seen that word in several names).
Here are some more photos from that tour. ¶ July 31, 2008
My journey to the Harz and Quedlinburg was fun, but also very hot with about 32°C during the day and lots of sunshine. Fortunately, the nights were a bit cooler since the temperature in the Harz drops somewhat more than in Göttingen (which can be a steaming soup bowl in summer) and the hotel was situated at a little river that brought a cool breeze in the evenings.
There were several beers with my name on them every evening, and they just evaporated somehow. I don't even want to begin and try to figure out how many litres of water I drank; it must have been a small lake. Ice cream is a good thing on hot days, too, especially iced coffee with vanilla ice cream and dab of whipped cream on top.
But it was definitely fun, including the climbing of some rocks in sandals. I'm the proverbial German when it comes to wearing shoes unsuitable for mountains. Maybe I should volunteer as test person for sandals - if they survive the ways I walk, they will survive about anything.
The Harz was always a politically important area throughout history, not at least because it's rich in ore, and so Mediaeval times saw a lot of castles on the tops of those hills and mountains. Many of the about 500 Harz castles have left nothing more behind than some tumbled stones and traces in the ground that point to an ancient trench or earthen wall, but some are still formidable ruins or even reconstructed to mirror their former beauty.
They are less grand than the Norman castles because space on summits is more limited, but their owners and the architects sometimes got very inventive when it came to making the land - or rather, the bedrock - part of the castle construction. The Regenstein with its part natural, part artificial caves surrounding the keep is a fine example.
Not all castles were in the focus of the great history the way the Harzburg (which I hope to see in August) was, but they all have their stories. And legends. The Harz is rich in legends, and you'll learn some in the time to come.
I've got some Romanesque churches for you as well. There is a road - or rather, a number of connected roads all over Germany - leading to the most interesting Romanesque buildings. You can visit churches and a few castles and other buildings all the way from the Alpes to the Baltic Sea coast, following the Strasse der Romanik.
I got only inside views of this one because the towers were wrapped in scaffolding, and since the catherdral sits on a hill, surrounded by other buildings, the towers are pretty much the only thing you can see. The inside has been renovated already and looks a lot better than last time I was there, but unfortunately, the crypt is still closed.
This one is really beautiful and in good condition. Nice and cool inside as well. *grin* Churches are a good place to visit on a hot day.
Both Quedlingburg and Gernrode were Canoness Chapters for noble ladies who would live more or less like nuns only without taking permanent vows. That way they could leave and marry if family politics changed. But some stayed all their life and the Abbesses, esp. the ones of Quedlinburg, held a lot of power.
Not much remains of the Konradsburg Monastery, only the choir of the church and the crypt which is undergoing restoration (almost finished, so I got some good photos). But the history behind it is interesting; Konradsburg is the only monastery that started off as castle (Burg = castle, you've seen that word in several names).
Here are some more photos from that tour. ¶ July 31, 2008
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I love the picture of the castle. My favorite picture though is the one of the river in the post below. You always take such beautiful pictures othe landscape. :D
What a gorgeous area. Glad you had a good time, and survived the heat - it's a steaming heat bowl here too!
Thank you, Meghan.
Wortschmiedin (cool name, btw), the area is lovely indeed.
Thanks Alianore. I suppose the Rhine isn't only a heat bowl, but also brews some fine thunderstorms already. I escaped them in the Harz, but they're going to hit up with me tomorrow, I'm afraid.
Wortschmiedin (cool name, btw), the area is lovely indeed.
Thanks Alianore. I suppose the Rhine isn't only a heat bowl, but also brews some fine thunderstorms already. I escaped them in the Harz, but they're going to hit up with me tomorrow, I'm afraid.
Good to see you back!
Glad you had such a good time and with better weather than Wales! I bet that you and those sandals are best buddies by now - perhaps you should get shares in the company ;-)
Those castles look really impressive and interesting - especially Regenstein. I had no idea you had so many castles in Germany!
Glad you had such a good time and with better weather than Wales! I bet that you and those sandals are best buddies by now - perhaps you should get shares in the company ;-)
Those castles look really impressive and interesting - especially Regenstein. I had no idea you had so many castles in Germany!
Lol, Lady D, it were the same sandals I was wearing at Chepstow. They got around a bit this year. :)
Actually, some of the Welsh wind would have been welcome.
Actually, some of the Welsh wind would have been welcome.
Photos of castles from the past, even if there are only ruins, fascinate me. Your photos are terrific.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time on your trip.
32 degrees - I wouldn't have come out of the caves in that heat :-) I take off my hat to you.
Amazing castles, especially Regenstein with the caves. (It looks like the natural habitat of plotbunnies....)
Amazing castles, especially Regenstein with the caves. (It looks like the natural habitat of plotbunnies....)
Thank you, Barbara, Carla and Bernita.
Yes, the Regenstein is a natural habitat of plotbunnies, and so is the Bode canyon. The good thing about the latter is that I already have an old scene taking place there that only needs a rewrite.
I had been to the area back in 1990 shortly after you could travel in east Germany, but while the nature was splendid, most buildings were in sore need of restoration. I went with my parents and we didn't stay overnight so it was only a peek into the valley, a visit to Quedlinburg Cathedral, and a short walk along the Rosstrappe cliff ridge. I got to see a lot more this time.
Yes, the Regenstein is a natural habitat of plotbunnies, and so is the Bode canyon. The good thing about the latter is that I already have an old scene taking place there that only needs a rewrite.
I had been to the area back in 1990 shortly after you could travel in east Germany, but while the nature was splendid, most buildings were in sore need of restoration. I went with my parents and we didn't stay overnight so it was only a peek into the valley, a visit to Quedlinburg Cathedral, and a short walk along the Rosstrappe cliff ridge. I got to see a lot more this time.
Yeah, we get terrific thunderstorms here - I think we're due some this evening! At least it's cooler today than yesterday - 34 and extremely humid. Bleugh.
You must have more castles than people over there. :) Very awesome way to spend your time. I'm jealous. *sniff*
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