Many people all over the world have heard of Rüdesheim am Rhein at the beginning of the Rhine Gorge. Oberwesel is thirty kilometres down the Rhine on the other side, still in the Rhine gorge (actually within walking distance of the Lorelye on the opposite side). And not that many people know it, even in Germany. Although it has all the trappings: vineyards, wine estates, stunning views, houses from various centuries – and interesting windows, of course.
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At the turn of the 18th to 19th century apartment blocks, i.e. houses for several families, were regularly being built. I don’t know if these qualify as terraced houses but they were built in rows. They looked uniform, i.e. they had the same numbers of windows, the windows had the same outline, the same paint job and the same decorations.
In the 100+ years since, the houses have changed owners and were renovated at different times, with quite varying restults.
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or is it?
A traditional half-timbered house with dark wood, white wash and white framed, rectangular windows with small panels
vs. a colourful half-timbered structure with green framed windows with one singular panel.
What do you like better?
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Strahlenburg is the castle ruin above the town of Schriesheim at the Bergstraße. The local school is quite logically called Strahlenberger Schule. It’s quite a typical primary school building around here.
What caught my eye were the windows decorated for Easter or maybe just spring.
But the real eye-catcher were the reflections in the various panels.
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I showed the institutional care building which is being partly demolished last week. This week there is a glimpse of the administration building which will be kept. I particularly like the five narrow windows with the sandstone frames.
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Built little more than 135 years ago, this building has served as a place for people with disabilities due to age, illness or congenital conditions. The level of care depended on the spirit of the time, some times were better than others. It is now being transformed into residential apartments. Some building will stay, some are being demolished.
The house facade, a combination of clinker in two colours, dates the building. The geometrical patterns are typical of the late 19th century as are the sandstone frames around the windows.
The walled up windows have been so for ages, most of the glass panes have been broken, I’ll keep watching what will remain.
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pictures imperfect blog 