It is said that the location of the Beerfeld Galgen was chosen to let the condemned see the beauty of the world one more time before he left it to make him feel his loss even more. It is indeed a beautiful place with a … Continue reading If You Were Given the Choice
What better day to celebrate the traditions of the winter solstice and the New Year by sharing a few Terry Pratchett quotes. “Why don’t we just mix up absolutely everything and see what happens?” he said.And Ridcully responded with the traditional response.“It’s got to be … Continue reading Happy Hogswatch!
The former place of execution near the town of Beerfelden im Odenwald has a certain attraction to visitors. It lies outside the town on an open hill. A steady stream of cars stop, one takes a short stroll around the gallows, glances to the opposite hills, adds a few morose thoughts and drives off.
The town of Beerfelden thought they could profit from this steady stream of visitors and instead of them bypassing the town, one could lure them to stay awhile and spend some money.
Last time I was there, this boulder had been added to the site.
The verse (a pretty bad doggerel, not a parody but just really bad poetry) admonishes the visitors that it would be a mistake to leave without paying the inns and shops of Beerfelden a visit (only a 12 minute walk!).
As to my thoughts of this PR I’ll keep quiet, as it is
Silent Sunday
It’s the only medieval three beam gallows that has been preserved in Germany. In winter this site is very barren and sad. In summer the panoramic view is stunning, and if the accounts are true, that was the very reason this location was chosen: to show the delinquent one last time the beauty of the world he or she was going to leave.
I abhor the death penalty and can’t imagine if it was worse for the condemned to meet his or her face in winter or summer.
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The gallows of Beerfelden is a scary place at any time of year. In winter it is a particularly forlorn, depressing place. It was designed to strike the fear of God in the hearts of wrongdoers.
This is the gallows of Beerfelden, the largest and best preserved gallows in Germany. It was erected in 1597 (on the same spot was a wooden gallows before), supposed to be broken down in 1788 (except that nobody seems to have gotten the order of emperor Joseph II of Austria), and the last execution is supposed to have taken place in 1804, a woman was hanged for allegedly stealing a chicken and two loaves of bread (although this is not verified). It’s in a beautiful spot and commands a spectacular view of the surrounding landscape – although in this bleak light and with the clouds one wouldn’t think so.
Cee’s Black & White Photo Challenge: Any Kind of Geometrical Shape
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