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FEATURE (Category: Europe | Germany | summer | scenic drives | cultural-historical | gardens)
Germany: Gardens and Castles in the East
Germany: Gardens and Castles in the East
Much longer than other European countries Germany consisted of feudal states in varying sizes. It took until 1871 for this situation to change, when Bismark molded the territories into one unified nation. For us, travellers, the caleidoscopic map of former countships, duchies and kingdoms is a treasor trove of castles, palaces and country houses, parks and gardens. Because no monarch or duke, however small, had deemed his power complete without these status symbols.
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 28]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248017_EUX2N-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 28]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 29]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248023_MtoFy-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 29]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 30]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
When visiting Schloss Kochberg, dont forget to enter the village church opposite the castle. Not very remarkable on the outside, but the interior is something else alltogether, one of the architectural and artistic highlights of the Thüringen countryside. Not only for the beautiful gothic altar piece, but also because of the paintings on the ceiling. They are really cheerful and a good example of the German Volksbarock. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248037_x6fYF-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 30]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
When visiting Schloss Kochberg, dont forget to enter the village church opposite the castle. Not very remarkable on the outside, but the interior is something else alltogether, one of the architectural and artistic highlights of the Thüringen countryside. Not only for the beautiful gothic altar piece, but also because of the paintings on the ceiling. They are really cheerful and a good example of the German Volksbarock. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 31]
'Burg Ranis.'
The impressive stronghold of Ranis sits on a rock of 400 meters long. Its origins are medieval, but around 1600 it was given an extensive renaissance facelift. With its pre-, main- and lower castle it is one of the bigger fortified places of Thüringen. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248066_tiPTc-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 31]
'Burg Ranis.'
The impressive stronghold of Ranis sits on a rock of 400 meters long. Its origins are medieval, but around 1600 it was given an extensive renaissance facelift. With its pre-, main- and lower castle it is one of the bigger fortified places of Thüringen. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 32]
'Schloss Burgk.'
The late gothic Burgk castle rises high above the meandering river Saale. Most remarkable is the separate, round Hungerturm (hunger tower) with its half-timbered extension looking like a knight's helmet from an eastern fairy tale. The still fully intact, late gothic kitchen with Germany's biggest stove, no less than 21 meters high, is definitely worth a visit. And during the tourist season the chapel with its rich rococo interior hosts weekly concerts on the famous Silbermann organ. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248074_h3wVr-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 32]
'Schloss Burgk.'
The late gothic Burgk castle rises high above the meandering river Saale. Most remarkable is the separate, round Hungerturm (hunger tower) with its half-timbered extension looking like a knight's helmet from an eastern fairy tale. The still fully intact, late gothic kitchen with Germany's biggest stove, no less than 21 meters high, is definitely worth a visit. And during the tourist season the chapel with its rich rococo interior hosts weekly concerts on the famous Silbermann organ. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 33]
'Wartburg, Eisenach.'
After Luther had been banned following his 95 theses against the catholic church, he was abducted. It was a clever move by Friedrich der Weise (Frederick the Wise) - Luther's protector - to have him kidnapped and then hidden in his own castle, disguised as Junker Jörg. Now everyone thought him to be dead.
Luther's stay in the Wartburg has been of great significance for Germany. On Friedrich's advice (who remained catholic himself) Luther set himself to the enormous task of translating the Bible into ordinary German. It helped keep away depression during the months he was isolated in his little room high in the castle. The result wasn't just beneficial to the Reformation, but to the German language as well. Luther had listened to the man in the street to make sure that God's word would be understood. And in doing so he laid the foundation for the modern German language. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248085_AFGiM-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 33]
'Wartburg, Eisenach.'
After Luther had been banned following his 95 theses against the catholic church, he was abducted. It was a clever move by Friedrich der Weise (Frederick the Wise) - Luther's protector - to have him kidnapped and then hidden in his own castle, disguised as Junker Jörg. Now everyone thought him to be dead.
Luther's stay in the Wartburg has been of great significance for Germany. On Friedrich's advice (who remained catholic himself) Luther set himself to the enormous task of translating the Bible into ordinary German. It helped keep away depression during the months he was isolated in his little room high in the castle. The result wasn't just beneficial to the Reformation, but to the German language as well. Luther had listened to the man in the street to make sure that God's word would be understood. And in doing so he laid the foundation for the modern German language. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 34]
'Wartburg, Eisenach.'
After Luther had been banned following his 95 theses against the catholic church, he was abducted. It was a clever move by Friedrich der Weise (Frederick the Wise) - Luther's protector - to have him kidnapped and then hidden in his own castle, disguised as Junker Jörg. Now everyone thought him to be dead.
Luther's stay in the Wartburg has been of great significance for Germany. On Friedrich's advice (who remained catholic himself) Luther set himself to the enormous task of translating the Bible into ordinary German. It helped keep depression at bay during the months he was isolated in his little room high in the castle (photo). The result wasn't just beneficial to the Reformation, but to the German language as well. Luther had listened to the man in the street to make sure that God's word would be understood. And in doing so he laid the foundation for the modern German language.
Hundreds of tourists a day are being led around the Wartburg and get to see Luther's little room. As the story goes Luther once saw the devil, and in his fear threw the inkpot to its head. Unfortunately the resulting ink spot has disappeared, as too many fingers have touched it. In the course of the centuries Luther's desk disappeared as well, taken home by pilgrims, splinter by splinter, as a souvenir. The desk you see here was taken from the furniture at his parents' home. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248097_BH7Dc-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 34]
'Wartburg, Eisenach.'
After Luther had been banned following his 95 theses against the catholic church, he was abducted. It was a clever move by Friedrich der Weise (Frederick the Wise) - Luther's protector - to have him kidnapped and then hidden in his own castle, disguised as Junker Jörg. Now everyone thought him to be dead.
Luther's stay in the Wartburg has been of great significance for Germany. On Friedrich's advice (who remained catholic himself) Luther set himself to the enormous task of translating the Bible into ordinary German. It helped keep depression at bay during the months he was isolated in his little room high in the castle (photo). The result wasn't just beneficial to the Reformation, but to the German language as well. Luther had listened to the man in the street to make sure that God's word would be understood. And in doing so he laid the foundation for the modern German language.
Hundreds of tourists a day are being led around the Wartburg and get to see Luther's little room. As the story goes Luther once saw the devil, and in his fear threw the inkpot to its head. Unfortunately the resulting ink spot has disappeared, as too many fingers have touched it. In the course of the centuries Luther's desk disappeared as well, taken home by pilgrims, splinter by splinter, as a souvenir. The desk you see here was taken from the furniture at his parents' home. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 35]
'Goethe's garden house, Park an der Ilm, Weimar.'
Weimar is the city of Goethe. When he was twenty-six he was invited by Karl August, duke of the mini-state Sachsen-Weimar and seven years his minor, to be his personal teacher. Later Goethe became minister of mining and taxes. He improved the social climate of the miners and decreased the number of soldiers in the army, leading to lower taxes and higher prosperity for the Weimarians.
After a long journey to Italy he returned and became minister of education and director of the theatre. Everyone knows Goethe as a poet and author, but these were just two of his side-activities. He also liked to draw and was thoroughly involved with botanics, zoology, geology and colour theory. He was one of the last universal minds in history.
His garden house is another proof of his versatility. Not only did he design its garden, he designed the adjacent landscape park as well: the Park an der Ilm. In fact, he decorated it with his own romantic dreams: gothic ruins, artificial caves and antique temples.
His house proper, situated in the town's heart, is open for the public as well, but don't expect to be alone: it's the busiest attraction of Thüringen. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248102_DuU7g-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 35]
'Goethe's garden house, Park an der Ilm, Weimar.'
Weimar is the city of Goethe. When he was twenty-six he was invited by Karl August, duke of the mini-state Sachsen-Weimar and seven years his minor, to be his personal teacher. Later Goethe became minister of mining and taxes. He improved the social climate of the miners and decreased the number of soldiers in the army, leading to lower taxes and higher prosperity for the Weimarians.
After a long journey to Italy he returned and became minister of education and director of the theatre. Everyone knows Goethe as a poet and author, but these were just two of his side-activities. He also liked to draw and was thoroughly involved with botanics, zoology, geology and colour theory. He was one of the last universal minds in history.
His garden house is another proof of his versatility. Not only did he design its garden, he designed the adjacent landscape park as well: the Park an der Ilm. In fact, he decorated it with his own romantic dreams: gothic ruins, artificial caves and antique temples.
His house proper, situated in the town's heart, is open for the public as well, but don't expect to be alone: it's the busiest attraction of Thüringen. Photo Paul Smit.")
![Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 36]
'Schloss and Park Belvedere, Weimar.'
Just outside Weimar is Schloss Belvedere, where Goethe left his marks once again as he helped transform the baroque gardens into an English landscape park. Proud peacocks are its symbol. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248145_6Wpgm-Ti.jpg "Smit & Palarczyk > [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 36]
'Schloss and Park Belvedere, Weimar.'
Just outside Weimar is Schloss Belvedere, where Goethe left his marks once again as he helped transform the baroque gardens into an English landscape park. Proud peacocks are its symbol. Photo Paul Smit.")
[GERMANY.THUERINGEN 28]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.
![> [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 28]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.](http://paulsmit.smugmug.com/photos/139248017_EUX2N-S.jpg "> [GERMANY.THUERINGEN 28]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.")
[GERMANY.THUERINGEN 28]
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.
Schloss Kochberg, Großkochberg.'
In Grosskochberg, just north of Rudolstadt, we meet Goethe once again. As a lover this time, since he used to visit Freiherr von Stein's wife quite regularly in the castle (now museum and hotel). According to some fans of Goethe his love was purely platonic, but not everyone agrees. Photo Paul Smit.
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