German Castles: Neuschweinstein Castle
Wednesday, January 19th, 2011
Neuschweinstein Castle, Germany
Tags: Germany, Neuschweinstein Castle | Posted in Castles | No Comments »
Traditional German Clothing for children.
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
…For children:
Lederhosen (German for leather breeches; singular: Lederhose) are breeches made of leather; they may be either short or knee-length
The longer ones are generally called Bundhosen.
You can buy some german clothing for kids here: clothing store.
and here: Bavarian store
Tags: children, clothing, lederhosen | Posted in clothing | No Comments »
Traditional German Clothing for men.
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
…For men:
Tracht is a traditional national costume in German-speaking countries. Although the word is most often associated with Austrian and Bavarian costumes, many other peoples of Germany have them. Recently, there has been a renewed interest in tracht. You can buy some clothing here: Bavarian store.
Tags: clothing, men, tracht | Posted in clothing | No Comments »
Traditional German Clothing for women.
Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
Here are some images of traditional German clothing.
For women:
A dirndl is a type of traditional dress worn in southern Germany, Liechtenstein, Austria and Italian South Tirol, based on the historical costume of Alpine peasants. Dresses that are loosely based on the dirndl are known as Landhausmode. You can buy some clothing here: Bavarian store.
Tags: children, clothing, men, traditional, women | Posted in clothing | No Comments »
German Legends: Tannhäuser
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Tannhäuser (Middle High German: Tanhûser; died after 1265) was a German Minnesänger and poet. Historically, his biography is obscure beyond the poetry, which dates between 1245 and 1265. Socially, he presumed familial lineage with the old nobles, the Lords of Thannhausen, residents in their castle at Tannhausen, near Ellwangen and Dinkelsbühl; moreover, the historical Tannhausen castle, is at Neumarkt in der Oberpfalz.
Tannhäuser was an active courtier at the court of Frederick II of Austria (1230-1246), and the Codex Manesse (1340) depicts him clad in the Teutonic Order habit, suggesting he might have fought the Fifth Crusade (1213–21).
Based on his Bußlied, Tannhäuser became the subject of legend, first attested in 1430, propagated in ballads from 1450. The legendary account makes Tannhäuser a knight and poet who found the Venusberg, the subterranean home of Venus, and spent a year there worshipping the goddess.
After leaving the Venusberg, Tannhäuser is filled with remorse, and travels to Rome to ask Pope Urban IV if it is possible to be absolved of his sins. Urban replies that forgiveness is as impossible as it would be for his papal staff to blossom. Three days after Tannhäuser’s departure Urban’s staff blooms with flowers; messengers are sent to retrieve the knight, but he has already returned to Venusberg, never to be seen again.
The legend has been interpreted as a traditional folk tale which has been subject to Christianization where the familiar story of the seduction of a human being by an elf or fairy leads to the delights of the fairy-realm but later the longing for his earthly home. His desire is granted, but he is not happy, and in the end returns to the fairy-land.[1]
The legend was made famous in modern times through Richard Wagner’s three-act opera Tannhäuser, completed in 1845. Aubrey Beardsley started to write an erotic treatment of the legend which was never to be finished due to his illness; the first parts of it were published in The Savoy and later issued in book form by Leonard Smithers with the title Under the Hill. In 1907, the original manuscript was published and entitled The Story of Venus and Tannhäuser.
Tags: crusades, Legends, Tannhauser | Posted in Legends | No Comments »
German Opera: Tannhauser: Overture: Toscanini
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Tags: Opera:, Tannhauser | Posted in Opera: | No Comments »
German Palaces: Charlottenburg Palace in Berlin
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Charlottenburg Palace (German: Schloss Charlottenburg) is the largest palace in Berlin[1] and the only building in the city dating back to the time of the Hohenzollern family.[2] It is located in the Charlottenburg district of the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf area.
The palace was built at the end of the 17th century and was greatly expanded during the 18th century. It includes much exotic internal decoration in baroque and rococo styles. A large formal garden surrounded by woodland was constructed behind the palace. In the grounds of the palace various buildings were erected, including a belvedere, a mausoleum, a theatre and a pavilion.
Tags: Charlottenburg, Palace | Posted in Palaces | No Comments »
German Castles: Hohenzollern Castle
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Built atop 855 meters-high Mount Hohenzollern, this incredible example of German architecture stands as homage to the Hohenzollern dynasty
Tags: Castles | Posted in Castles | No Comments »
German Castles: Löwenburg Castle
Friday, June 25th, 2010
Tags: Castles | Posted in Castles | No Comments »
German Palaces: Nordkirchen Wasserschloss
Friday, June 25th, 2010
This sparsely populated area of countryside, characterised by flat fields, pastures and meadows, is like a giant park, harmoniously landscaped yet offering incredible variety.
The history of this lovely region stretches right back to Roman times.
Tags: Palaces | Posted in Palaces | No Comments »