A common man marvels at uncommon things. A wise man marvels at the commonplace. CONFUCIUS

Thursday 9 July 2015

Witches And Artists

The church of Saint Sebastian, Friesenhagen . . .

Opposite the church are two more Fachwerkhäuser, or half-timbered houses . . .

On Blumenberg ('hill of flowers') above Friesenhagen lies the chapel of Saint Anna. It looks peaceful enough today, but on this very spot around 400 years ago 200 women were branded as witches and executed . . .

The meadows and forests of Wildenburgerland, at the northern tip of Rheinland-Pfalz . . .

The artist Barbara Weiss stands in front of her mural at an art exhibition in Geisweid, a suburb of Siegen 20 km east of Friesenhagen . . .

The city of Siegen, birthplace of Peter Paul Rubens . . .

6 comments:

am said...

Looking forward to seeing more of this region of Germany through your eyes. A cousin of mine who traveled in Germany said that Bellingham reminded her of the part of the Germany she visited. Wildberg looks much like rural areas near Bellingham.

My great grandfather on my mother's side came from Stadtlengsfeld, which is 2-1/2 hours east of Siegen.

Did some Googling and enjoyed looking at more of Barbara Weiss' work. I wonder if any of my German ancestors were branded as witches.

Ruth said...

A lovely environment, Robert.

The Solitary Walker said...

Barbara is a friend of the person I'm staying with here in Germany, Amanda.

Yes, the countryside really is special round here, Ruth — cultural events too in Siegen, Köln, Düsseldorf, Mainz, Neuwied etc.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Germany is one of the countries i have never visited Robert - the photographs are lovely and give me a real taste of what it is like.

Anaconda said...

Isn't the city clean and clinical - or is it the fantastic camera. Frankfurt when I was there for a month seemed a city of contradictions, very understated, very powerful. Like the Germans in a small way perhaps. Above all it felt quite homely and comfortable, very civilized. Many thanks for sharing the lovely photos.

The Solitary Walker said...

Thanks Pat and Anaconda for your comments.

I lived for a year near Frankfurt when I was in my early twenties. It has improved since then, I have to say. And yes, a powerful and influential city — home to many big banks, for a start.