Everybody gone. Just Eva, James and me. We contemplated where to go and what to do. We decided on the Wartburg in Eisenach. We would have liked to see the Inselberg (lots of memories there from childhood) but the weather just didn't cooperate.
It was very foggy and we could hardly see any of the mountains and many castles (lots of them ruins though).
Nevertheless the car ride was fun. If you squint really hard you can see a castle on that hill.
Parked the car, paid for that, had the choice of a shuttle or walk.
The little huffing and puffing was good for me.
It is going to be very difficult to give a good impression of this. It is quite a large place and it doesn't all fit in a photo.
The drawbridge!
Looking back from the drawbridge.
Entering the first courtyard.
It's where we bought the tour tickets. And looking back.
This is the window of Martin Luther's room where he translated the New Testament and wrote many other things.
The second courtyard.
We had to wait for the next guided tour. This model was interesting.
It gave you a better idea of this place. Front left the drawbridge. In the very back is where we are now. The entry to the earliest rooms.
Actually these are gravestones of the earliest owners/builders and we are in what used to be the stables.
The earliest private rooms of the prince or count.
The little plaque on the side explained: wallhanging with animals and mythical creatures.
about 1440 from Basel Switzerland, wool, woven
I think it is so amazing.
Depiction of the legendary singers' contest. A fresco over a whole wall in this room. The story is very interesting.
After seeing the "official living quarters" we entered the museum with the promise of the peek into Martin Luther's room.
Interesting things here too. This piece of textile art was called "Birth of Christ". Woven silk and linen from the end of 13th century. How cool is that?
And here a picture for William. An outfit a knight would wear.
And even peeking through the windows was a delight.
And how cool is this door?
And finally ... the room where Martin Luther spent 10 months.
And that's it. Lots of nooks and crannies to look at. The stonework, the half-timbered buildings, even these fan-tailed doves are special and called Wartburg Doves.
It was way past lunchtime so some refreshment was desired. There was an almost new hotel (19th century) attached to the burg and it had a terrace cafe with a glass roof.
Esel (donkeys) are quite important here. I remember as a child you could ride up on one of them. And I think in summer you still can. No wonder there is a beer named after them. It was delicious.
This place seemed all about Klöße. The next board advertised the "Klöße-museum". Hope you are not sick of them because I sure am not.
I loved the menu.
Eva and I had the Klöße in cremigen Pilzen (in creamy mushrooms).
James had Klops and Kloß (meatballs and potato dumplings in capers sauße/gravy).
There were even cuddly plush fabric ones in two sizes to buy named Klaus?
Even the dead mouse on the glass roof couldn't take our appetite away. We discussed though how it got there and why no bird has claimed it yet.
But then it was time to find the way back to the car.
Still no weather to visit the Inselberg. The Grandfather of Eva and me (Opa Otto) was part of building the tower. Would have been nice. But without the view ...?
So wie decided to stop in Gotha instead. That's where our grandparents used to live. Lots of childhood memories for both of us.
We had no particular agenda. Just walked around. Looked into a shop here or there. Had to have a coffee of course. James decided he needed to try his third Sachertorte, all had been different. We decided next time we are in Vienna we will try the real thing.
And while we are still at the square in front of the Rathaus the Glockenspiel started. Here is a video (will be added at home).
Almost back at Eva's we stopped in at the supermarket. James is looking at a nice size beer. Don't worry. This is not what we bought but a bottle of bubbly instead (and a bottle of Eierliquör I wanted to take home but had to leave behind for Eva because my suitcase was too heavy already).
Last evening here. Eva prepared a light (but oh so nice) supper.
And dessert. Something special again.
We don't need to pack tonight because we have plenty of time tomorrow morning. So we just had a nice comfy time.
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Great blog. Love it
ReplyDeleteHow incredibly lovely! You are truly making me yearn for a Germany trip, my friend!
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