We started the Saturday out by heading to a much-visited business of a local German woodcarver in Johannesberg. We had heard raves about the store which appears to have satisfied many a senior missionary in search of the typical German Christmas gift.
They have so many LDS customers that they have even sculpted a statue of Moroni!
And another favorite is the statue of Christ with little children
They have so many LDS customers that they have even sculpted a statue of Moroni!
And another favorite is the statue of Christ with little children
They had lots of Schwibbogens, which we loved.
Since the town was next to Aschaffenburg, we then headed to the famous Johannisburg Castle located there. It was built in 1604, but badly damaged during WWII.
Restoration was completed in the 1960s.
Its museum currently holds the world's largest display of "cork architecture" (weird, I know!)
of ancient Roman ruins. These recreations were made in the 1700s!
The palace chapel had a very beautiful 9-meters-high altar piece sculpted in the 1600s of marble and alabaster. Due to damage suffered during the war, it had to be put back together piece by piece during the recent restoration. The various squares surrounding Christ
represent stations of the cross. It was very impressive!
The location was impressive as the castle overlooks the Main River.
We had actually been there earlier on our mission, but my pictures did not turn out. We were eager to return since the setting as well as the drive there are so beautiful.
We passed two beautiful churches on the way.
Even the walk in the woods leading to the castle was worth it!
Now tell me if you don't agree that this place is awesome!!!
We even got a short tour of part of the castle. I say "part" because the living descendant
of this 500 year-old castle lives in a section of it!
The guide called this the "genealogy window" because it shows the many coats of arms
belonging to the hundreds of years' worth of inhabitants.
The chapel was one of the first two structures built on the property in the 1400s!
More coats of arms!
"Rounded" panoramic view of the castle courtyard
Entrance showing completion dates of the whole castle complex in 1564 and 1569
View of the horse stable from the castle courtyard
Pferdestall - the horse stable now used as a restaurant
This castle even has its own chapel located on the nearby hillside.
View from the chapel looking out at the village of Mespelbrunn
Farewell, Mespelbrunn, truly one of our favorites!!!
Nope, I don't agree. Not awesome at all. Probably this is all pretty ugly. So sorry you have to do this. :)
ReplyDeleteit's all just so amazing! i think the coat of arms windows is pretty cool! is there anything by you that is ugly?!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to send Emily the photo of the blue building and trash in the parks. :)
ReplyDelete