Tag: Weinheim an der Bergstraße

Heimat

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There is something about the landscape of the place in which we grow up – it’s edged in the soul, together with the people and the time it makes up what in German is called “Heimat” and for which there is no proper one word translation (essays and books have been written on this “most mystic of German concepts”).

2005 landscape d

As I live on the slopes, it is combination of rolling hills in the back and a long plain in the west, edged again by more hills.  I could say I live “on the edge” if that wouldn’t conjure up sharp ridges and drops which do the softness of the landscape no justice.

2005 landscape c

The upper Rhine valley is at this point bordered by the Odenwald in the east (my figurative backyard) and the Pfälzer Wald in the west.

2005 landscape e

The reverse view with forests and castles and houses is contrasted by the view to the west:

2005 landscape b

A closer look reveals the mixture of agriculture and heavily populated near the Rhine,  including large industrial sites (in fact, the world’s largest chemical complex is just a camera swipe to the left, on the other side of the Rhine).

2005 landscape a

It’s this diversity that I cherish, and that I call home.

For A Photo a Week: Landscape.

 

One castle, many styles

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004 castle f

 

004 castle e

 

004 castle d

 

004 castle b

 

004 castle a

 

004 castle c

One characteristic of the castle in Weinheim an der Bergstraße are the different architectural styles seen in various additions and renovations, there are renaissance and baroque elements, a large tract has been remodelled in classicistic style and another part was built in neo-gothic style. Hence, there are different kinds of windows in the various parts.

Linked to Monday Windows.

 

 

Seasonal

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a 0821 seasonal

In my hometown, our festival ist considered an additional season.  For one glorious weekend the old part of the town is decorated with white and blue bunting and colourful lights and in many courtyards temporary taverns are opened serving wine, beer, local delicacies and in the last few years also more adventurous fares.

Linked to Simply Snaps: Simply Seasonal.

 

 

every year we are going down

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190 rutschbahn 1

190 rutschbahn 2

The big slide – each year an attraction for kids and adults alike at our town festival, with interruptions for more than 50 years.  I remember coming home each year with at least one scraped knee on one side and an abrasion on the other.  The stairs aren’t called Höllenstaffel (stairway to hell) for nothing.

Posted for Six Word Saturday.  More six words and photos can be found here.

head

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Knut Hünecke: Kopf

The title of this work by Heidelberg sculptor Knut Hüneke is simply “head”.  It was created and placed in the Schlosspark in Weinheim in 1985.

Knut Hünecke: Kopf

For One Word Sunday: Profile.

Towering memories

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97 tower a

When I researched the name of this tower I found it aptly described as “Aussichtsmonstrum” = look-out monstrosity.  There is, even with towers, no accounting for taste.  It adds 21m to the Stäffelsberg (480m) to afford a view over the Pfälzer Wald in the southern part of Rhineland-Palatium, close to the French border.  

Blauer Hut + Windeck

This much older tower (by about 700 years) is arguably more beautiful.  It stands in Weinheim, on the other side of the Rhine.  It has dominated my childhood as my parents’ (and now my sister’s) garden lies directly behind it.  Which is why I include this less popular view of the Blauer Hut (the Blue Hat, as it is known):

Blauer Hut

For One Word Sunday: Tower.

For more towering photos, click here.