Italian Graces

During the 18th century, polite Europe discovered the relicts of the Vesuv's eruption in 79AD. A statue found at Herculaneum was the Isis-Fortuna, a 33cm tall bronze statue, then bought for the palace at Wörlitz, the residence and effigy of genteel and aristocratic elegance in 18th century Germany. The Prince of Anhalt-Dessau's palace and its garden/park are major attractions in Anhalt. The Isis-Fortuna is part of a decorative cycle of wall paintings and plasterings based on patterns found at Pompeji and Herculaneum. The exhibition ends 26th August 2012.

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Minnesongs at Castle Falkenstein

The duo Stella Splendens will appear at Castle Falkenstein (Harz) this Withsunday and sing Irish and English Medieval songs as well as sacral music from the song book of Anna of Cologne. Stages will be the Royal bedchamber and the Chapel.

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Frederic the Great vs. Count Brühl

Many exhibitions and events are planned this year for the Frederic300-festival. One series of exhibitions deals with the enemies Frederic the Great and Count Brühl. From the 25th of May until the end of October, the Pückler Museum Cottbus and the Marstall-Museum of Castle Branitz show the history of this enmity. Another exhibition starts in August at Count Brühl's residence Castle Brody in Poland.

These exhibitions try to tell the reasons between their hatred, show the violence in their actions and the different histories of their lives.

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Castle Bündorf

I posted about our trip to Merseburg before and on our way, we saw a really intricating palace in a tiny village. It is Castle Bündorf, a mid-18th-century stately home and farm. I think it was sold a couple of years ago to someone, but we couldn't see any changes to the state of the buildung. Castle Bündorf is known to have been in use as the gowager duchess of Saxe-Zeitz's home, Erdmuthe Dorothea, who died there in 1720. Her initials can be seen at the front gate. She was even buried in the ducal crypt at Merseburg Cathedral.

It was first mentioned in 1266 and belonged to the bishops of Torgau and later to the Bündorf family. During the 18th century it belonged to the ducal family of Saxe-Merseburg-Zeitz. Until the end of the Second World War the castle was owned by the Counts of Zech-Burkersroda, who were disappropriated by the GDR-government and a retirement home was installed. It is typicall for GDR-times, that buildings such as this were neglected and not repaired.

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Napkins at Castle and Cathedral Merseburg

Today we went to the Museum for Cultural History at the episcopal palace of Merseburg. Currently there is an exhibition on table napkins, but the other parts of the museum are exciting as well. We had not as much time as one needs to see all of the castle and the cathedral. But we saw the early modern and Prussian part. I was happy to see lots of needlework and other crafts exhibited. I took some photos, though I'm not sure, if it was allowed. Anyway, there were tatting tools as well as lace bobbins etc etc... See for yourself! One very interesting piece was a 'hair-work' made of real hair, wire and paper from the 19th century! A must-have was the guilded needlework-case featuring a mirrow and tiny boxes and all!

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Holiday in a Castle

You don't need to be a princess or duchess or whatever to spent your holidays in a real castle, a manor house or another stately home. A new network of castles, manors and farms offers holidays at Germany coastal state Mecklenburg-Vorpommern - former home of King George III's wife Charlotte - from 5-star hotels to huesthouses or farms. 34 locations invite tourists to their historical buildings. More informations on their website!

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9th May 1671

341 years ago the Irish adventurer Thomas Blood and his three accomplices were cought in the act of stealing the Crown Jewels of England from the Tower. Above the vault of the jewels lived the bailee's family. Disguised as a clergyman, Blood obtained their confidence by fraud. The robbery failed. Impressed by Blood's manners and demeanour, King Charles II. pardoned the thief.

More on Thomas and his life via wikipedia...

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Phantasie Spectaculum

For the first time the MPS, the medieval phantasy spectaculum, will perform at the airport Ballenstedt. More than 100  000 square meters will be transformed into a medieval world of more than 500 tents, structures and installations and more than 600 contributers.
This weekend from noon till night you can travel back in history in Ballenstedt!
Check the links for more information and the map for directions.

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Happy Birthday Friedrich!

Today is the 240th birthday of Friedrich of Hardenberg, better known as Novalis. He was born in 1772 in  Oberwiederstedt near Hettstedt and was one of the mysterious kind of poets.
Gerhard Schulz, professor for German Studies in Melbourne, Australia, published a new Novalis biography, which opens with an essay on the only acknowledged portrait we know of the genius. Novalis died too young, only 29 years old in 1801.
The author very successfully presents Friedrich of Hardenberg as a much stronger person than universally believed and contradicts older pictures about him. Novalis is still fascinating and will remain so inspite of the new book.
Gerhard Schulz, Novalis, Leben und Werk Friedrich von Hardenbergs, C.H. Beck, 303 pages, 24,95€ (as ebook too!, 19,99€)
Many works by Novalis are also available in English. Novalis in German as ebooks are available for free at amazon! - Novalis in English ONLINE.

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