Northern Germany January 30-February 3, 2011

Our very good friends Karl-Heinz and Ingrid Wolfert invited us to visit them in Stadthagen which is located in Northern Germany. We met the Wolferts when they were temple missionaries here in the temple. We ventured out on the train--first to Hanover and then on to Stadthagen where the Wolferts met us.

As soon as we arrived at their home, Karl-Heinz got an American flag and put it on their flagpole to show that there were Americans in their home. This was very touching to us!

Karl-Heinz saluting our flag!

Don and Karen standing in front of the Wolfert's home.

Yes, it was COLD!

The Wolferts took us on a walk through their city. This is in the middle of town-square.

This is one of the beautiful buildings in Townsquare.

Ingrid took us sight-seeing on Tuesday. We went to the Bueckeburg Castle.

The prince and his family are still in residence in this castle. He is royalty, but has no political power in Germany. He is a very wealthy man.

This is where he lives!!!

This is part of the castle. The Prince rents some of the rooms in this part of the castle for schooling and meetings and other things.

Our friend Ingrid taught English in one of the rooms in this part of the castle.

Don and Karen entering the castle.

In the oldest part of the castle--the inner courtyard. The door on the right enters into the chapel.

This is in the chapel. This is architecture in the late Renaissance. The windows at the top are so the Royalty can attend the services without mengling with the people.

This Family Crest set into the tabletop is complete made of tiny beads.

The Golden Hall--this piece is called the "Heavenly Gate"

The castle has a working stables. This horse is at the start of the path to the stables. The stables is the School of Baroque Equitation. Of course, Don needed his picture taken with the horse.

Another view of the castle.

In the stable museum--there were many saddles and Don tried them all out!

Karen and Don

An old Church in one of the little villages that we passed through.

Schaumberg Castle--we visited this castle on the third day with Karl-Heinz and Ingrid.

Another picture of the castle.

Don in front of the entrance to Schaumberg Castle

Don, at the wall of the castle.

We visited Hameln. This is the city where the story of the Pied Piper originated.

The church in the middle of the city.

The Leist House (a museum) in Hameln.

The city hall has doors up towards the top that several times a day open and figures of the Pied Piper with the rats and then the Pied Piper and the children are displayed. There are several bells that ring--it is fun to watch.

City Hall

Guess what we found in the middle of the town? We were especially interested in this one because of the timbered building that McDonalds is in. And, no we didn't eat there!

The Canon's house. A museum/cafe.

There were pictures of the Pied Piper painted on several buildings. This one was on the wall of a cafe.

Back in Stadthagen. The entrance to the palace. This palace is now used as city offices.

The courtyard of the palace.

Karen and Don in the courtyard of the palace.

A museum in Stadthagen. This was built in 1553.

These are traditional Wedding attire for Germany.

They say that the headpieces are very heavy.

Karen in front of the museum.

One of the buildings in town square.

Part of the outside of the castle.

The castle dates back to 1222 and modernized in 1544.

Auf Wiedersehen Karl-Heinz and Ingrid.

Thank you for a fabulous time!

Dresden, Freiberg and Seiffen, Germany

On Monday, January 26, 2011 we left Prague and traveled to Dresden, Germany. Dresden was founded around 1206. On 13 February 1945 Dresden was almost completely leveled--not much was left standing. There has been an exhaustive effort of rebuilding and restoring the historic buildings.

As we first entered the city we focused on this building. We were very interested in it because the statue on top resembled the Angel Moroni from a distance--it is called the Golden Man--the building is the Rathause--or City Hall.

We stayed at this hotel--the Radisson--it was very comfortable.


Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady)

This is a Protestant Cathedral and was built in 1726. The statue in front of the building is of Martin Luther.
During the bombing the cathedral took a direct hit and was a huge pile of rubble for the next 45 years. After Communism ended the city and other people throughout the world donated money and the building was reconstructed. By carefully following the original plans, carefully documenting the stones and other artifacts from the building they were able to use about 45% of the original stones and artifacts. The church opened again in honor of the 800th anniversary of the city.

The statue of Martin Luther was almost completely destroyed also.



They documented 7,000 pieces and were able to use 3,500 pieces of the original building. The only wall left standing after the bombing is the dark part of the stone in this picture. The rest of the church had to be completely rebuilt. This building is one of the greatest pieces of architecture in all of Europe.



We especially liked the inside of this building. All of the other cathedrals that we have visited throughout Germany are all very cold and dark inside--this one is very light and is decorated with pinks and gold. It is very beautiful. This is also the only cathedral we have visited that they actually heat the inside.

Dresden sits on the Elbe River. The bridge is the Augustus Bridge.

In the background is the Hofkirche (Catholic Court Chapel)

Holfkirche

On the outside of this cathedral there are at least 78 statues that are over 10 feet tall.

On the left is the former Royal Palace.

The Royal Palace

Opera House

One of the first permanent theaters north of the Alps. It was built in 1678. It was remodeled in 1841 and then restored after the bombing.

Picture of the Catholic Church--picture was taken from the bridge.

Zwinger--The king originally designed this group of buildings. It was first built in 1709. It was also leveled during the bombing and has been rebuilt to look like the original. It is a huge complex that today houses very family art collections, porcelain collections and a historical museum of a collection of weapons that were used by Saxon Princes.

In the courtyard of the Zwinger

Crown Tower of the Zwinger

Karen, in the courtyard of the Zwinger

We found an ice-skating rink in a section of the palace. The Christmas tree was still up and we were especially interested in the penquin ice-skating trainers so that children could hold onto them and learn to skate.

January 27, 2011 we left and traveled to Freiberg to attend the temple. The closer we got to Freiberg the more snow there was. Freiberg Temple

Karen and Don at the Freiberg Temple

After leaving the temple we traveled to Seiffen, Germany which is a little town that has several year round Christmas Markets. Siphon is located on the border of the Czech Republic and Germany.

Enjoy the snow!

Yes, the roads were very slick!

Seiffen, Germany

YES, WE BOUGHT SOME CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AND SENT THEM HOME!

We had a great trip.

Next stop--Northern Germany